Italy › Liguria › Balestrino (borgo vecchio)
Photo: Photo taken nearby · Davide Papalini · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Abandoned village · 1950s
Balestrino (borgo vecchio)
Below the Del Carretto castle, the old village of Balestrino was evacuated in the 1950s because of unstable ground. The houses are still standing, clinging to the slope, but nobody can go inside any more.
Visiting
Before you go
- Getting there
- In the hills behind Loano and Albenga (province of Savona). Drive up to the new town, from where you can see the old village.
- The visit
- Half an hour to see the village from outside and from the new town.
- When to go
- All year round; late-afternoon light works well on the slope.
- Good to know
- There is a plan to restore the old village: before you go, check the Comune website for special openings.
Practical information gathered from official and local sources on 9 October 2026. Opening times and conditions change: always check before you go.
Plan your visit
Where to stay nearby
Affiliate links: if you book from here the site earns a small commission, at no extra cost to you. That is how Borghi Fantasma stays free.
History
The old centre below the Del Carretto castle was evacuated because of unstable ground. The town moved a little further away, while the old village is still standing but closed.
Have you been there?
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Nearby
Other abandoned villages nearby
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