History of Apricale
The village of Apricale, located in the heart of the Val Nervia valley in Liguria, is one of the best-preserved medieval villages in the Ligurian hinterland. Its history dates back to the Bronze Age, as evidenced by significant archaeological findings that reveal an ancient human presence in the area.
The name Apricale comes from the Latin word apricus, meaning “sun-exposed”, referring to the village’s privileged position on a sunlit hillside overlooking the valley.
The first historical records date back to the 10th century, when the Counts of Ventimiglia founded the medieval settlement and built the Castello della Lucertola, around which the village gradually developed. In the 13th century, Apricale became an independent municipality and issued its own statutes, among the oldest in Liguria.
Over the centuries, Apricale was ruled by several noble families, including the Doria of Dolceacqua and the Grimaldi of Monaco, before becoming part of the Duchy of Savoy, the Kingdom of Sardinia, and finally the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
Today, Apricale has preserved its medieval layout of stone houses, narrow alleyways and panoramic viewpoints. Listed among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, awarded the Orange Flag by the Touring Club Italiano, and part of the Cities of Olive Oil network, Apricale offers an authentic experience of history, culture and Ligurian tradition.