Wednesday, 08 September 2010 11:44

Carro near the Cinque Terre

Written by  Delicious Italy Team
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View of Carro, Liguria View of Carro, Liguria image by Residence Paganini, Carro

The small hamlet of Carro is located in Val Di Vara. Although just 20 minutes from the Cinque Terre, it is a world away from pesto and seaside walks. Portofino is 40km away and Porto Venere 30km.

With forgotten pathways crossing uncontaminated woods and forests so close to the beaten track, it may be worth making a visit if you are a nature fan. Indeed, nearby Varese Ligure has obtained the European Certification for Environmental Quality.

Carro is where composer Nicolò Paganini’s grandparents lived. Every year the International Festival Paganiniano di Carro takes place in his honor. But Friday August 19th 1814 is perhaps the most significant of Carro's history.

Just before midnight Napoleon was in Carro to see his beloved sister Elisa, maybe for the last time. She had come to the isolated village in the Ligurian Apennines to meet her lover Nicolò Paganini, leaving her husband and two children, Napoleona and baby Federico.

Not the behaviour expected of the Princess of Lucca and Piombino, a title received by Imperial decree in March 1808.

Nevertheless, Napoleon was happy that the English troops had no inkling of his presence here and it would be a great celebration for his 45th birthday which would continue the day after in Portoferraio in Tuscany.

Wearing a red satin dressing gown, slim and tall, the 32 years old Nicolò Paganini stood before the Emperor.

Nous voudrions bien rencontrer notre soeur, la princesse Elisa... La femme de chambre à dit qu'elle est içi, n'est-ce-pas?

Napoleon did not intend to give him his confidence. He had dared to sleep with a Bonaparte!

Museo Mineralogico Permanente - www.geoturismo.it/liguria.htm

Last modified on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 17:51
Published in Liguria Itineraries
More in this category: « Tuscan Ligurian border Imperia »
Residence Paganini, Carro near Cinque Terre
The historical cottage residence La Paganina is located in the romantic medieval hamlet of Carro in the Val di Vara, province of La Spezia, just five kilometers inland from the famous Cinque Terre in Liguria. Now offering exclusive cottage accommodation, this 17th century residence was owned by the family of famous…
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