What to See in Imperia: Villa Grock and the Olive Oil Museum

If you think of Imperia and only imagine harbor and olive trees, Villa Grock will make you think again. It is the home of the famous clown Grock (real name Charles Adrien Wettach), who had it built between 1924 and 1929. And from the outside you already understand that nothing here is normal: towers, domes, loggias, and decorations blend in a playful Liberty style, almost like a fairy tale. Entering is like crossing the threshold of a pop dream. The rooms are full of circus memorabilia, stage costumes, vintage posters, and musical instruments. The highlight? The Hall of Mirrors and the Music Room, where Grock performed for guests. But the beauty is also outside: the two-hectare park is a riot of exotic plants, quirky statues, fountains, and an Art Nouveau greenhouse. You'll even find a pond with ducks and a small outdoor theater. While strolling, you don't know whether to laugh or be amazed – and maybe that's exactly what Grock wanted. The villa is managed by the Foundation that organizes events and temporary exhibitions. The ticket costs about 8 euros, and if you go on Sunday morning you'll often find themed guided tours. It left me with a strange feeling: it seems like any moment the owner might pop out from a corner with a joke. A unique place that blends art, circus, and architecture without taking itself too seriously.

If you think a museum dedicated to oil might be boring, think again. The Olive Museum in Imperia is one of those gems that makes you fall in love with Liguria even more. Located in the ancient Rossi oil mill, on Via dell'Olivo, this place tells millennia of olive oil history with a modern and interactive setup. As soon as you enter, you are welcomed by stone millstones, monumental presses, and hydraulic presses that testify to technological evolution. Then you move to the sensory rooms: here you can smell different olive varieties and learn to recognize a good extra virgin olive oil. My favorite part? The final tasting, of course. With a glass of monocultivar oil, accompanied by fresh bread, you truly understand the difference between an industrial product and an artisanal one. The museum is well connected with Villa Grock (in fact, they are a few steps apart), so it's easy to organize a half-day between the two attractions. Admission costs a few euros and the guided tour lasts about an hour. I recommend booking on weekends, as groups are limited. A detail I appreciated: the explanatory panels are also in English, and the staff is passionate and ready to answer any curiosity. It's not just a museum, it's an experience that smells of Ligurian earth and sun.

Just a few steps from the marina, the Imperia Naval Museum is an unexpected stop. You walk in and are immediately captivated by the scent of wood and salt air: a collection of over 200 model boats, from sailing ships to fishing boats, takes you on a journey in an instant. My favorite part is the room of nautical charts, with dozens of ancient maps recounting routes and discoveries. There are also original on-board instruments: sextants, compasses, and chronometers that look like they stepped out of an adventure novel. The museum is housed in a former cloistered convent, which gives it an intimate atmosphere. The captions are in Italian and English, but the real gem is the section dedicated to Ligurian seafaring, featuring testimonies of fishermen's lives between the 19th and 20th centuries. Suitable for families? Yes, children are fascinated by the models, and there is also an interactive corner with navigation simulations. I went on a Sunday morning and it was almost empty: a luxury. If you're passing through Imperia, don't miss it. The ticket is very affordable, and the staff is passionate. A tip: after your visit, take a stroll on the nearby pier to see the sea with new eyes.

If you're in Imperia and want to discover an authentic side of the city, the Nativity Museum and Art Gallery is a stop that won't disappoint. I stumbled upon it almost by chance, and it was a beautiful surprise. Housed in an 18th-century palace in the historic center, the museum holds a collection of nativity scenes ranging from the 17th to the 20th century, with pieces from all over Italy and beyond. What struck me most? The mechanical nativity scenes: tiny craftsmanship masterpieces where figurines move, mills turn, and shepherds play. It feels like stepping into a miniature world.

The art gallery, meanwhile, is a gem: works by Ligurian painters from the 17th and 18th centuries, including canvases by Domenico Fiasella and Giovanni Battista Carlone. The rooms are intimate, well-displayed, and the atmosphere is almost familiar. Don't expect crowds: here, the silence lets you enjoy every detail. The ticket costs little (about 5 euros) and you can visit in just under an hour. Open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday. If you like sacred art and nativity tradition, this museum will give you an authentic experience, far from the beaten tourist paths.

Torre Bonazza is one of those places that, if you don't know about it, you might walk right past without a second glance. But it's worth it. This medieval tower, planted right on the old pier of Imperia, is one of the few remaining vestiges of the coastal defense system of the Riviera di Ponente. Don't expect great size: it's compact, square, with some battlements peeking out among the moored boats. But it's its location that makes the difference: from here, the view spans the port and the heights of Oneglia. I stumbled upon it almost by chance while waiting for the ferry to Corsica. And I must say, the atmosphere is authentic, lived-in. Fishermen still call it 'a torre', and some elders tell stories of how it once served as a lookout against Saracen pirates. Today it's free, viewable from the outside, but there's not much to see inside – actually, I'm not sure if you can enter. But sitting on the steps surrounding it, with the sound of the waves and the scent of salt, is a break I recommend. Note: no ticket, no fixed hours. It's an open-air monument, perfect to combine with a walk along the seafront or a stop at a nearby café. If you're into local history or urban photography, you won't regret it.

If you are visiting Imperia, don't miss the Prarola Tower, a little-known but fascinating historical gem. Perched on a rocky promontory between Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, this 16th-century tower was part of the defensive system of the Republic of Genoa. Today it's a perfect spot for history and panorama lovers. As you climb up, you'll enjoy a spectacular view of the sea and the Ligurian coast. Personally, I found it very evocative at sunset, with the stone walls turning golden. The tower is not always open to the public, but you can admire it from outside, and guided tours are often organized during summer. Bring binoculars to watch the boats and seagulls. It's also a great photo spot. I recommend combining the visit with a walk along Imperia's seafront. Don't expect a large building: it's small but full of charm. Its strategic position makes it unique. If you are a military history enthusiast, you'll notice the loopholes and the circular plan typical of the era. I remember sitting on the steps looking at the sea, thinking of the soldiers who once kept watch from here. The path to reach it is a bit steep, but the effort is rewarded by the quietness of the place. In short, a short but memorable stop for those who want to discover an authentic corner of the city.