Sacred buildings such as sanctuaries and small hermitages in the Italian region of Liguria are a testimony of the past. You can hardly ever find any village or city without a small church. Mostly they are the most beautiful places in the city. Their view is breathtaking and the biggest advantage is that they are situated near the main tourist and pilgrim roads and paths. The decorations, paintings and equipment of these sanctuaries are priceless and are cherished by the citizens.
An attentive traveler who walks along the Ligurian coast will notice that most churches were built in the Romanesque and Gothic style. It is known that in the High Middle Ages and the Middle Ages many monasteries and churches ran a large part of Liguria and owned a farmland which was their source of wealth and living. The most important expansion in the building of sanctuaries began after the Council of Trent (1545-1563) when certain distinctions towards Protestantism were made and many small churches had to be reformed. For villages they were always the place of hope as well as the place of protection. Along the Ligurian coast near the mountains there were a lot of sanctuaries that could protect from attackers. Nowadays in Liguria there are more than 100 religious buildings. Tourists can explore Liguria with the help of a special pilgrimage tour. The beautiful coast and rich vegetation accompany the walker on their trips. As in the past churches were located along the main pilgrim roads, there are still good opportunities to find accommodation here such as family-run inns and small hotels with the charm of Liguria.
