There is an invisible thread that connects the sea to the mountains, the silence of the woods to the voices of pilgrims, faith to beauty. This thread follows ancient paths overlooking the deep blue of the Mediterranean, weaving between solitary chapels, stone villages, and horizons that seem suspended in time.
This is the Way of the Sanctuaries of the Sea, a 126 km route that, from the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta in Sestri Ponente to Genoa, crosses the most spiritual and hidden heart of Liguria.
The Pilgrim’s Credential, the key document of the Way, identifies the traveler or pilgrim and officially records their journey. Like a passport, it is stamped at each stage and can grant benefits in accommodations or places of interest along the route.
A landscape of surprising variety
From a natural perspective, the variety is remarkable: from valleys overlooking the sea, with the typical Mediterranean vegetation, the route climbs toward the ridges that for a stretch coincide with the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri in the Piani di Praglia area. The scenery changes again on the northern slope, in Valle Stura, reaching the wilder areas between Tiglieto and the Passo del Faiallo, home to the vast and extraordinary Selva dell’Orba.
The Way speaks not only to the soul
It also tells stories of people, landscapes, and centuries that have shaped Liguria. Along the route, one encounters traces of the ancient iron routes in the Leira and Cerusa valleys on the coastal side, and in the Orba and Stura valleys toward the plains; crosses lands linked to the filigree tradition in Valle Stura; touches paths connected to the routes of Saint Francis and Saint Limbania; passes the remains of the historic paper industry in the Leira and Cerusa valleys; and follows stretches of the ancient Roman coastal road, before arriving at the extraordinary Historic Centre of Genoa.
The Way is steeped in deep Marian devotion, reflecting the centuries-old bond that Genoa and its territory have with the Madonna, protector of the city. Sanctuaries dedicated to Mary are scattered along the route: some overlooking the open sea, others hidden among the mountains, all telling stories of faith, processions, and communities.
This is not a journey for those in a hurry: it is an invitation to slow down, to listen to what the road whispers, and to discover that silence is not emptiness but fullness.
For those who wish to set out, just one step is enough. Liguria will take care of the rest.