Dernice is a village located in the upper hill of Giarolo, 600 metres above the sea level, on the buttresses of the Ligurian-Piedmontese Apennines; the chief town is situated on the summit of a hill at the intersection of three valleys (Val Borbera, Val Grue and Val Curone).
The territory is rich in woods, springs and gorges.

The name ‘Dernice’ derives from the Latin ‘Darnisium’. It appeared in chronicles already starting from the year 869. The township is dominated by a ponderous fortified tower inside a complex called ‘castle’, whose last owner (from 1429 to 1706) was the Ligurian Spinola family. Thanks to its strategic position, it was able to preserve strictly medieval features, including a tower. Nowadays the ‘castle’ and its park are property of the municipality and are open to the public, offering everybody an enchanting view.

what to see
- because of its position, Dernice offers particularly suggestive panoramic views.
- the medieval hamlets of Vigoponzo, Vigana, Montebore and Bregni.
- remains of a circular tower and of boundary walls.

Dernice is the homeland of ‘Montebore’, an excellent cheese in the curious shape of ‘castle’ dating from the Middle Ages.

> hamlets: Montebore, Vigoponzo, Campioli, Costa di Montebore, Gropparo Inferiore, Gropparo Superiore, Aia del Gallo, Fontanelle, Vigana, Caviggino, Groppo, Bregni.

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