Colle di Nava, Mountain pass in Liguria, Italy.
Colle di Nava is a 934-metre pass on the main Alpine chain in the municipality of Pornassio, province of Imperia. It links the Arroscia valley in Liguria with the Tanaro valley in Piedmont, and the SS28 road crosses it. The pass carries the village of Nava, split into the hamlets of Colle di Nava on the summit and Case di Nava about 500 metres down the Tanaro side.
The pass was guarded by a 19th-century fortification system built by the Savoy rulers, which was also used in the Napoleonic era but never directly involved in conflicts there, apart from partisan battles in the Second World War. Forte Centrale on the summit is well preserved and open to visitors, with its S-shaped road and two drawbridges. On 11 March 1944 partisans besieged in Forte Bellarasco repelled an assault by Nazi-fascist forces coming up from the sea for a round-up.
Lavender grown at the pass is sold under the name "Coldinava" and processed into cosmetic products. The Alpini hold their national gathering (Raduno nazionale alpino) at the Cuneense memorial here each year, and the diocesan seminary of Albenga-Imperia has its summer seat at Case di Nava.
State Road 28 crosses the pass with year-round access, though winter conditions from November to March may require snow chains. Check local weather before crossing and ensure your vehicle is equipped for mountain driving.
The pass is crossed by the Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, the long-distance trail from Ventimiglia to Bolano. According to SOIUSA and CAI, the pass marks the western border of the Ligurian Prealps, separating the Prealpi Liguri to the east from the Alpi del Marguareis to the west.
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