Finale on stage: art, history and theater in winter
by SIMONA BARBERA
In Finale Ligure, winter does not mean quiet, but a different, more intimate rhythm that invites you to discover the city slowly and with curiosity.
The historic villages and districts become open-air theaters, the squares and streets come alive with ancient stories, and every corner tells something unique. In this context, cultural experiences become the best way to immerse yourself in the most authentic Finale.
Guided tours
Guided tours are the common thread running through this journey. Among the alleys and courtyards of the districts, the guides reveal interesting facts and anecdotes that transform every walk into a living story. The great historical destinations of the area, such as Castel Gavone, welcome visitors into a direct dialogue with the past. On Sunday, December 21, at 2 p.m., there will be a guided tour to discover the castle, with other dates scheduled for January 4 and 18, and then again in February and March. The Arene Candide, a symbol of the archaeological history of the Finale area, will open its doors on December 20 and 27 and again on January 3, always at 10 a.m., offering a unique glimpse into the city’s cultural heritage.
The seaside resorts also have their place: in Varigotti, on Friday, December 26, at 4 p.m., it will be possible to take part in a guided tour that recounts the history and curiosities of the village. The insights provided by the Museo Diffuso del Finale (MuDiF) complete the cultural picture: on Saturday, December 27, at 2:30 p.m., a journey through the Middle Ages and Renaissance in the Perti area will guide participants from the Romanesque crypt of Santo Eusebio to the church of Nostra Signora di Loreto or dei Cinque Campanili and San Sebastiano di Perti, splendid examples of 15th-century and Renaissance architecture. Reservations are required. Other guided tours will take you on a discovery of Finalborgo on Sunday, December 28, at 4:30 p.m. and Finalmarina on Friday, January 2.
Music and theater
Live art is also on offer: theater and music complete the cultural program. On Sunday, December 21, at 4 p.m., the Babajaga Cultural Association will stage Il Custode dei Desideri (The Keeper of Dreams), a Christmas story about hope, courage, and the power of dreams. For music lovers, on Monday, December 29, the Basilica of St. John will host The Real Soul of Gospel, a concert by the Gospel of New Orleans, featuring the repertoire and style typical of the city’s famous musical tradition. On Tuesday, January 6, at 6 p.m., at the Auditorium Santa Caterina, the concert Tra Terra e Cielo (Between Earth and Sky) combines piano and violin in a musical journey that engages the mind, body, and spirit, with Emiliano Toso on piano and Valentina Wilhelm on violin.
In winter, Finale Ligure takes center stage in all its forms: from historic alleys to squares, from theaters to churches, from archaeological sites to the most hidden villages. It is an invitation to explore, listen, and observe, transforming every visit into a conscious and memorable experience of art, history, and theater.
For more information on guided tours and shows, please visit the “Events” section of the website visitfinaleligure.it.
