Just past the fountain, take via Molino Sottano uphill to the right. This isn’t the most direct route, but it will take you to see more of Vernante’s murals. All of the murals reflect the style of Attilio Mussino, the first to illustrate Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio in color and who lived the latter years of his life in Vernante, where he also founded an art school open to all, free of charge.

But keep your eyes peeled, as they aren’t always readily visible. Sometimes, you’ll need to peek down passageways or look up high to find them! When you reach the parish church, take Via Umberto I to the right, a street that is for pedestrians only.

Go all the way to the end of via Umberto I, past the train station and out of the center of town, where you will find a small park with a fountain and bench near the remains of an old glass factory, which shut down in 1978 after years of booming business that began in the 1950s. From here, take via Mistral to the left (red-and-white sign: “Castello 15 min”) up past the Cuneo-Ventimiglia railway line.

After the bridge over the railway tracks, keep to the left in the direction of the houses, then take Via Rapitun to the right, also uphill (not to be confused with a parking area before the houses). After a curve, the road turns to dirt and continues into a lovely, shaded wood. The climb continues gradually up to a small clearing before the Lascaris Castle, also known as “La Tourousela” (or “La Turusela”), a hexagonal tower with the remnants of a wall overlooking the village of Vernante.

The structure was erected in the late 13th century and served as a toll station along the road to colle di Tenda. The tower bears the name of its final owners, the Lascaris Family, Counts of Tenda. For the return trip, you may take the same route in reverse, or you can continue past the tower along another section of dirt road slightly uphill to the paved road. From here, simply follow the paved road down through a couple of switchbacks and below the railway line.

Take a look at the building immediately after the tracks: Casa Carlet. In addition to the murals, you will also, a bit to the left, see works of art in the garden, an exaltation of characters from The Adventures of Pinocchio. Carlet and Meo executed most of the murals in Vernante. From this building, continue on to Via Umberto I, near the church.