Carpasio

The predominant features of the landscape at Carpasio are pastures and cultivated terracings, which can still be seen despite their state of abandon. Its strategic position on the ancient livestock roads made this mountain village in the Argentina valley an object of contention for centuries: once an outpost of the lords of Ventimiglia, the estate passed into the hands of the Lascaris of Tenda in 1455 and was then taken into the House of Savoy in 1573.



The parish church of Sant'Antonio, dating from the fifteenth century but later reconstructed, has one very particular feature: a leaning bell tower. On the Baroque façade of the nearby oratory there is a slate bas-relief of the Annunciation. The main remnants of the ancient rural architecture are the so-called "caselle", which are old drystone buildings.



Carpasio's economy has always been linked to the mountains: it is based on the cultivation of cereals, chestnuts and aromatic herbs, but also stockbreeding and cheese-making. A tangy cheese called "bruzzo" is a local speciality together with barley bread and superior Ormeasco wine.Among the local events, the charming "Shepherds' Christmas" deserves special mention, while lovers of traditional sports can visit the elastic ball tournament.

Costa has a Museum of the Resistance, which is a section of the Resistance and Contemporary History Museum of Porto Maurizio.



The holiday resort of Prati Piani (1130 m.) is situated close to the Colle d'Oggia Pass (1187 m.), which borders on the Impero Valley. There are excursions to Monte Grande (1418 m.), which was the site of an important battle during the resistance of 1944, and along the panoramic road leading to Maro Pass (1064 m).