Chapel of San Rocco di Camogli

Access

San Rocco di Camogli is a hillside hamlet of the municipality of Camogli (GE), situated at an altitude of about 221 metres, famous for its panoramic position and for being the main pedestrian access point to the Portofino Park.

The village can be easily reached in various ways:

• By car:from the Genoa-La Spezia motorway, exit at the Recco tollbooth and follow the signs for Camogli. From the centre of Camogli continue uphill to Ruta di Camogli (SS1 Via Aurelia); from Ruta, take the municipal road (Via Franco Molfino) that goes up to San Rocco. Parking near the church and in the area is chargeable and spaces are limited, especially at weekends and on holidays.
By train: reach the "Camogli-San Fruttuoso" station on the Genoa-La Spezia line. From the centre of Camogli you can either walk up to San Rocco (about 30-35 minutes, via a mule track and steps between olive groves and houses) or take a regular bus service.By bus:from Ruta di Camogli there are city buses (line 874, approximately hourly frequency) and seasonal shuttles to San Rocco; reach Ruta first with the extra-urban lines (773 Recco-Camogli, 775 Genova-Camogli etc.), then board the dedicated one. The final stop is at the piazzale/parking area of San Rocco, a few steps from the church and the start of the main paths.On foot: the ascent from the centre of Camogli to San Rocco follows a historic mule track with well-maintained steps: the route starts from Via San Bartolomeo (parking area) and climbs for just over a kilometre, among olive groves, dry stone walls and panoramic views. The average ascent time is 30-35 minutes, with a difference in altitude of about 190 metres.Motorbike or scooter: numerous dedicated spaces near the church on the access road; a practical solution on crowded days.

Introduction

The Chapel of San Rocco (now the Church) in Camogli is a place of worship located in the hamlet of the same name in the municipality of Camogli, on the Ligurian Riviera, in a panoramic position at an altitude of approximately 221 metres, on the heights of Monte di Portofino.

Description

The structure stands on the site of a pre-existing chapel dating back to at least the 15th century and dedicated to Saint Roch, protector against the plague. The current building, with its neoclassical façade, was built in 1863 and was elevated to an autonomous parish church in 1935; the solemn consecration dates back to 1963.
The site is set in the environmental context of the Golfo Paradiso, dominated by terraced olive groves and a rich network of nature trails that connect the village to Camogli, Punta Chiappa, San Nicolò di Capodimonte and Portofino Vetta. From the large square in front of the church, there is a suggestive view of the surrounding hills, the coast and the Riviera as far as the Maritime Alps.
The interior houses works of art of local interest such as the high altar, sculpted by Bernardo Schiaffino from Camogli, an antique organ (1810) and a painting of the Madonna della Salute attributed to Carlo Dolci. The monument to the dog, located in the square, celebrates the 'Dog Loyalty Prize', an event that takes place on 16 August and which recalls an ancient legend: Saint Rocco, during an epidemic, was allegedly saved from starvation thanks to the intervention of a dog, according to popular tradition.
The site offers ample driveway and pedestrian access; parking is limited, but the church can also be reached via signposted hiking trails, with the possibility of loop trails that enhance the local biodiversity (olive trees, laburnum, chestnut trees, pine forests). The main religious celebrations are linked to the patron saint and the maritime traditions of the area.
The Chapel of San Rocco represents an important reference point, not only religious but also social and historical, at the centre of an area rich in testimonies, panoramas and legends, in the heart of the Portofino Park.