Dolceacqua and the Ponte Vecchio that inspired Monet

‘... the place is superb; there is a bridge that is a jewel of lightness ...’ Claude Monet

The Ponte Vecchio in Dolceacqua, with its single 33-metre humpback span, is not just a link between the two banks of the Nervia Valley: it is a symbol that encapsulates centuries of history and daily life. Built in the 15th century, this elegant stone arch has seen merchants, farmers, travelers and pilgrims pass by, becoming a silent witness to the history of the village.

Its harmonious, slender shape, perfectly integrated with its surroundings, deeply impressed Claude Monet.

In 1884, during his trip to the Ligurian Riviera, the Impressionist master was fascinated by such beauty and immortalized the bridge in some of his paintings, consecrating it as a true international icon.

Crossing it today means reliving the same emotion that the French artist felt more than a century ago. The stones, smoothed by time, tell stories of generations, while the view opens up onto the roofs of the medieval village, the Doria Castle looking over from above and the vineyards that dot the Ligurian hills.