Badalucco

Badalucco, what’s in a name?

Badalucco is an odd name, but it has many meanings. It may be derived from batare

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the rootof the Italian verb “badare, meaning to look after,take care of ”, with the addition of the unusual suffix -ucco, perhaps from the name of the legendary Roman warrior Lucco. This hypothesis refers to the ancient function of Badalucco, that of a fortified village which served to control travel to and from the Argentina valley. But most of the meanings have to do with war: “badalucco“in old Italian means an armed conflict, a skirmish; similarly, “fare badalucchi” in medieval Italian meant “to make noise” to intimidate the enemy before a battle. Then there’s the Latin, and the adjective belladucius, warlike, attributed to the people who occupied this area – the Ligurians, with their fearless attitude. Another interpretation is linked to the woods surrounding Badalucco; in this case the name would mean “guard and gate to the woods”, from “bada” and “lucus” or “bada el luc”. Lastly, the word may have a religious connotation, deriving from “Baal-lucus”, i.e. a wood sacred to the Phoenician god Baal.

A story as old as humankind itself

Located in the Argentina mid-valley and bisected by the river of the same name, the village of Badalucco has an evident medieval appearance. Its history is far older however. This area was inhabited by shepherding populations from the middle Copper Age (some 4500-3800 years ago). Confirmation of this was the discovery of human remains in the Tana Bertrand cave on the slopes of Mount Faudo.

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Art everywhere

Badalucco is a “painted village”. Did you get lost in its steep, narrow streets? They’re called caruggiby the locals. Did you see the stone houses and ancient plasterwork? Did you notice there are frescoes and ceramic artworks on building walls? Badalucco has been embellished by these works since 1993, and are there for you and all visitors to see. Badalucco is unique, because it uses colours and shapes to tell the story of its traditions, its people, the olive harvest and the nearby mountains. Visionary art: would Mrs Crowfoot have liked it?

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A walking world

Badalucco is a place where ancient roads long travelled by people and mules cross. Mules indeed lie at the heart of the story. Imagine Mrs Crowfoot riding sidesaddle on the traditional mule’s packsaddle. The steepest tracks are often the oldest, made of stone and stepped. Some of them tell fascinating stories of farmers, traders, pilgrims and bandits.

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Nature is by our side

Here life still moves to the rhythms of nature. Life slows down, following the yearly cycle; any changes are due to the changing climate, and take centuries to happen. There’s the world of water, from the streams of the Argentina, where eels once ruled. Then there are vegetable gardens and terraced olive groves. Man may have tamed the steep slopes, but he still has to climb up and work the land. When Grace Mary Crowfoot was here, there were still fields of wheat and other cereals, as well as cultivated chestnut forests.

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Bon appetit!

The typical cuisine of Badalucco is that of inland Liguria, but the flavours of the sea are not lacking. Not the Ligurian Sea, like you might think, but the North Sea. We’re talking about the traditional “stocafissu a-a baücôgna”, stockfish Badalucco-style with olives and walnuts, which has its own festival every September. The typical recipe dates from the Middle Ages; it has a history spanning 600 years, and includes no ingredients from the Americas.

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The Good Life village

The Good Life means far more than simply seeking individual happiness. It’s an invitation to live a convivial, sociable life, embracing hospitality, fun and engagement in the community. If we explore the traditions, festivals and rituals that unite us, we can create deep and meaningful ties with others. This means discovering new ways of connecting, sharing and enriching our social life. Are you ready to embrace the meaning of the Good Life and become part of a vibrant community? Come to Badalucco and begin your journey towards a life full of meaning, satisfaction and enjoyment.

Discover Badalucco with Grace Mary Crowfoot

Grace Mary Crowfoot lived in Badalucco between 1908 and 1909. Her curiosity and desire to learn and explore every subject, especially unknown ones, undoubtedly led her to delve into all of Badalucco’s places and traditions. During her lifetime Grace Crowfoot performed numerous activities, some considered suitable for women, others dominated by men: she was a midwife, a naturalist, an archaeologist, an anthropologist, a skilled weaver and a designer. Imagine having that kind of determination and resourcefulness: discover Badalucco through ad hoc itineraries inspired by the life of Grace Mary Crowfoot; be guided by her passion and experience the ancient traditions of Badalucco.