Every summer, the Renaissance cloisters of the Convento di Santa Caterina in Finalborgo become one of Liguria’s most atmospheric concert venues. Percorsi Sonori (Sound Paths) is an annual chamber music and jazz series that runs from July through August, placing world-class musicians inside the 16th-century arched colonnades of this stunningly preserved monastic complex. The 2026 season promises another compelling programme of early music, classical guitar, contemporary jazz, and Ligurian folk traditions.

The Setting: Santa Caterina’s Cloisters

The Chiostri di Santa Caterina are the cultural heart of Finalborgo. Built by the Dominican order starting in 1359 and extensively renovated in the Renaissance, the complex features two cloisters — the larger one, with its rounded arches and central well, serves as the main concert space. The natural acoustics are remarkable: the stone walls produce a warm, resonant sound that amplifies string instruments beautifully without the need for electronic reinforcement. Seating is limited to roughly 150, creating an unusually intimate concert experience where you’re rarely more than 15 metres from the performers.

What to Expect in 2026

The 2026 season runs from July 4 to August 29, with concerts typically on Friday and Saturday evenings at 21:15. While the full programme is announced in May, expect a mix of: Baroque ensembles performing on period instruments, contemporary Ligurian singer-songwriters, acoustic jazz trios, and the popular Corde e Voci della Liguria night featuring traditional Genoese trallallero polyphonic singing alongside folk guitar. A few open-air concerts also take place in Piazza Garibaldi when the cloisters can’t accommodate larger ensembles.

Practical Information

Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, July 4 – August 29, 2026. Concerts start at 21:15.
Tickets: €10–18 per concert depending on the ensemble. Season passes available. Purchase at the door or via the Comune di Finale Ligure website.
Getting there: Finalborgo is a 30-minute walk or 5-minute shuttle ride from Finale Ligure station. Parking is available outside the medieval walls.
Before the concert: Arrive early for an aperitivo in Piazza Garibaldi. The wine bars around the piazza serve excellent Pigato and Vermentino by the glass with local charcuterie.
Extended trip: Pair a concert with rock climbing — Finale is Europe’s outdoor climbing capital — or a beach day at Varigotti’s Saracen beach.

Percorsi Sonori is one of those experiences that makes you feel like you’ve discovered a secret — great music in an unforgettable setting, far from the crowds of the more famous Riviera towns.