COSTA DI SOGLIO [IT]

Exploration #142. Costa di Soglio is, or perhaps we could say was, one of the many uninhabited crest villages in the Ligurian valleys. Its history is not known in detail, but the village dates back to the early 18th century, reaching a population of about 130 families at the end of the 19th century and the status of an independent municipality.

The village develops along a main street, very steeply sloping along the ridge, which is bordered on both sides by buildings, some of which have stone arches giving access to small internal courtyards. Many stone slab seats in the walls of the houses, which were probably used to rest during the steep climb or to have a chat after work with a glass of wine. Its inhabitants were mainly farmers, who only owned a small piece of land and a few head of cattle as a source of livelihood. Life up there could not have been easy, windy summer days alternating with cold winters, when walking up the steep slopes could be very dangerous.

Slowly, starting in the 1950s, depopulation began: some families moved to the larger village below closer to the sea in search of work or simply more comfort; others sought their fortune in the Americas.
Many houses are now reduced to piles of stones, while others are surprising that they were left like that the night before, as if the inhabitants had to return home after working in the fields. The silence, the tranquillity and the wonderful view make this exploration very beautiful, it almost feels like going back in time when the village was still inhabited.

A recovery project was launched in July 2019: some of the owners have already expressed their willingness to donate their property to the municipality, others to redevelop it so that this ancient hamlet can be brought back to life.