Along the banks of the Verbone stream, in the upper Crosia valley, lies Soldano, a small village of 1,000 residents with very controversial origins. There are various theories about its birth. The most reliable one is that it was founded at the end of the 20th century by residents of Ventimiglia and other neighbouring coastal towns, who took refuge inland to escape the plunder of the Saracens. In fact, from the sea, the village is hidden and can only be seen by climbing up the valley. Remains of fortified gates typical of defensive walls are still visible, which together with the Verbone stream and the Fullavan creek created a natural protective barrier.

The earliest document mentioning Soldano dates back to 1257: a notarial deed concerning the sale of land for agricultural work. This transaction shows that at that time the residents’ main activity was agriculture.

The symbols of Soldano’s history are churches. In the historical centre is the parish church of San Giovanni Battista, built in the 15th century in Baroque style, which houses a polyptych depicting St John the Baptist, attributed to Andrea della Cella di Finale (16th c.) and recently restored; outside the town walls is the ancient Oratorio of San Giovanni Evangelista, built in the 15th century, whose black stone portal from 1594 remains to this day, and the small church of San Mauro on the banks of the Verbone, originally dedicated to the Madonna della Neve and later to the patron saint. A way from the centre, in the Urià district, is the Sanctuary of the Beata Vergine Maria del Monte Carmelo, built by residents at the end of the 19th century to obtain the Virgin’s protection for the olive groves affected by the oil fly.