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It comprises eight historical hamlets in a span of five kms. The landscape, half-way between the mountains and the sea, gives it a particular appeal, mild climate and a healthy air. The first official mention of Bonassola dates back to 1269 but maybe earlier, in 1154 because of a papal document; but the first people to settle here were the romans, proof of this are excavations, carried out in 1959-1960,which brought to light the remains of the church of San Giorgio di Reggimonti and others. These places later became the background for many historic events but it was the building of the railway that revealed this lovely town.

During World War II ,on 29 June 1943, at 10.45 am, the steamship Bolzaneto was torpedoed between Bonassola and Deiva Marina by the English submarine, the Sportsman. It was carrying a “precious” cargo of cast iron which had been recovered by dredges at the end of the war. Going back to the present, while strolling along the the narrow streets of this seaside village you can admire some noble buildings of the 1700s which are the testimony of an era of slendour. Bonassola also gives the option of combining a seaside holiday with excursions to the hinterland and the hills, as well as food tasting of the typical dishes of the area.

The “Antonio Discovolo gallery of Modern Art is well worth a visit, it is inside the Town hall.

Among the sites that offer amazing views are : Salto della Lepre, la punta del Carlino, Montaretto, Valle Santa, La Francesca.

In addition to the olive groves and vineyards there is also the mining of fool’s gold.

Bonassola is part of the Cinque Terre –Riviera Union.

Sports and Excursions in Bonassola:

The village is linked to the neighbouring villages of Framura e Levanto thanks to a cycling path which runs along the old railway track.

There are lots of water activities like swimming, surfing and canoeing as well as beach volley and game fishing. There is a football ground (which functions as a parking lot during weekends and holidays) , two tennis courts and an inside boules court.

Events in Bonassola:

On June 1, to celebrateIl 1º giugno, Corpus Domini, the streets are covered with flowers and full of market stalls and with all kinds of entertainment.

CURIOSITY:

On the night of the 15 August there is the Premio L’Ucca (The Ucca Award) which is a goliardic or carefree feast during which a group of hooded people parade around the streets of the village as far as the playing field and in front of about a thousand people tease those who distinguished themselves in doing things out of the ordinary during the year. The most eccentric person is elected and is then called Ucca; all of this is spoken in rhyme and in a language which includes maccheronic latin,bonnalese and genovese.

The 11 June 2005 a new record was broken: the largest pesto lasagna was made (50 m²), and so Bonassola was put in the Guiness Book of Records 2006. At the end of the event four thousand portions of lasagna were served.