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Province of Imperia

Imperia Province
Davide Papalini, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Imperia is Bordered by the province of Savona to the east, France to the west, the region of Piedmont to the north and the Ligurian Sea to the south.

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Imperia Province
Province of Imperia, Liguria

It is a mountainous province situated between the Maritime Alps and the sea. Some of the peaks on the French border are well over 2000 metres with Monte Saccarello being the highest at 2,200 metres. From the mountains the terrain gradually turns hilly with ranges of hills running north to south stretching down to the coast. The coast consists of rocky headlands and bays with pebbly beaches. With a mild climate, pretty bays and a backdrop of green hills and vibrant flowers this coastline is called Riviera dei Fiori which means Riviera of Flowers. Running on from the French Riviera this stretch of coast was very popular in the 19th century with wealthy families from Europe, particually Great Britain.

Strongly influenced by the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea this province offers diversity not only geographically but also gastronomically. It is famous for its breads, Focaccia which must be eaten fresh and Triora bread which is a mixture of soft wheat and buckwheat. It is baked in large batches, keeps for long periods and is usually served with fermented sheeps ricotta. Olive oil is used extensively and is lighter and milder than oil from the rest of Italy. The province of Imperia also has a couple of unique items such as the pink garlic from Vessalico and the distinctive flavoured Val Roja honey.

Imperia

Imperia is the capital city of the province of Imperia, taking its name from the River Impero which runs through it. The city has two distinct historical centres, Porto Maurizio on one side of the River Impero and Oneglia on the other. Porto Maurizio is a colourful district stretching along the coast. The old centre is called 'Parasio' and has a maze of narrow streets called 'caruggi' running through it. This centre has the Cathedral of San Maurizio, the Convent of Santa Chiara and a small Naval Musuem.

Oneglia is not as wealthy nor as pretty as Porto Maurizio but has an interesting Olive Musuem (Museo dell'Olivo), the Church of San Giovanni Battista and 'Villa Grock' which is a magnificent villa where the famous Swiss clown 'Grock' lived in the early 20th century. The city is famous for the cultivation of flowers and olives although the economy nowadays is more reliant on tourism.

Sanremo

Although Sanremo is not the capital city of the province of Imperia it is a bigger resort and is livelier and more chic than the actual capital city, Imperia. Nicknamed 'The city of Flowers' due to its commercial production of flowers for the international flower market, San Remo is famous for its casino and the Sanremo Music Festival. The casino was built in 1905 and is an excellent example of Art Nouveau architecture and it is widely accepted that five-card stud was invented here. The Sanremo Music Festival is a popular Italian event taking place in February every year and is televised live for its duration. Sanremo is a lively resort with restaurants and clubs staying open until the early hours which creates a noisy night life.

Bussana

Bussana was abandoned as the result of a twenty second earthquake in 1887. The impact was immediate with many people killed and injured and buildings destroyed. The buildings still standing were declared dangerous so the inhabitants had to leave and Bussana became a ghost town. The authorities rebuilt the village on a new site below the destroyed old village and called it Bussana Nuova (new Bussana) and the original village then became Bussana Vecchia (old Bussana). Bussana Vecchia remained a ghost town until 1947 when immigrants from southern Italy began to settle there illegally. Some were evicted and the authorities destroyed all the upper floors and staircases remaining in the dangerous buildings.The small nucleus of inhabitants that managed to remain were gradually joined by artists from all over Europe and inspite of no electricty, water or sanitation a community began to form. An eviction order was passed in 1968 but the occupants barricaded themselves in and refused to leave. The International Artists Village was born and had continued to grow and survive despite the many eviction orders.

Bajardo

A pretty, intact, medieval village lying at 900m above sea level with only around 300 inhabitants.

Bordighera

Due to its mild climate, picturesque setting and gentile ambience, Bordighera is a popular winter resort and retirement destination. The palms used by the Vatican for Palm Sunday come from the village of Bordighera.

Cervo

A small ancient hill town with a stunning baroque church 'St John the Baptist' which overlooks the sea.

Diano Castello

This village was originally built in the 10th century as a fortress to guard against attacks from Saracen pirates. It has some very interesting churches including the Church of San Nicola di Bari, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Other buildings of historical interest are the Oratory of San Berardino and the Holy Cross, the Franciscan Covent and the City Hall.

Pigna

Pigna is a tranquil village with a vibrant community and busy tourist trade. Many traditional festivals are held there during the summer months and it has some excellent spas.

Triora

Triora is a member of the I Borghi Piú Belli d'Italia which is a list of the 100 best medieval villages in Italy. It is the location where the last witch trials in Italy took place during the Renaissance.

Ventimiglia

Located on the coast just a few kilometres away from the French border Ventimiglia is a popular summer destination for the French. It has an historically important medieval city centre which is at the highest point overlooking the rest of the town. There is a Romanesque Cathedral, the remains of a Roman theatre and the Hanbury Botanical Gardens.

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More Details

Flag of Liguria
liguria flag
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 5,420 km²
      Population: 1.6m
      Density: 297/km²
      Capital: Genoa

      National Parks:
      Cinque Terre
Location of Liguria
liguria location
Provinces of Liguria
liguria provinces
  • Comunes of Liguria
    • Genova
      • Arenzano
        Avegno
        Bargagli
        Bogliasco
        Borzonasca
        Busalla
        Camogli
        Campo Ligure
        Campomorone
        Carasco
        Casarza Ligure
        Casella
        Castiglione Chiavarese
        Ceranesi
        Chiavari
        Cicagna
        Cogoleto
        Cogorno
        Coreglia Ligure
        Crocefieschi
        Davagna
        Fascia
        Favale di Malvaro
        Fontanigorda
        Genova
        Gorreto
        Isola del Cantone
        Lavagna
        Leivi
        Lorsica
        Lumarzo
        Masone
        Mele
        Mezzanego
        Mignanego
        Moconesi
        Moneglia
        Montebruno
        Montoggio
        Ne
        Neirone
        Orero
        Pieve Ligure
        Portofino
        Propata
        Rapallo
        Recco
        Rezzoaglio
        Ronco Scrivia
        Rondanina
        Rossiglione
        Rovegno
        San Colombano Certenoli
        Santa Margherita Ligure
        Santo Stefano d’Aveto
        Sant’Olcese
        Savignone
        Serra Riccò
        Sestri Levante
        Sori
        Tiglieto
        Torriglia
        Tribogna
        Uscio
        Valbrevenna
        Vobbia
        Zoagli

    • Imperia
      • Airole
        Apricale
        Aquila d’Arroscia
        Armo
        Aurigo
        Badalucco
        Bajardo
        Bordighera
        Borghetto d’Arroscia
        Borgomaro
        Camporosso
        Caravonica
        Carpasio
        Castel Vittorio
        Castellaro
        Ceriana
        Cervo
        Cesio
        Chiusanico
        Chiusavecchia
        Cipressa
        Civezza
        Cosio d’Arroscia
        Costarainera
        Diano Arentino
        Diano Castello
        Diano Marina
        Diano San Pietro
        Dolceacqua
        Dolcedo
        Imperia
        Isolabona
        Lucinasco
        Mendatica
        Molini di Triora
        Montalto Ligure
        Montegrosso Pian Latte
        Olivetta San Michele
        Ospedaletti
        Perinaldo
        Pietrabruna
        Pieve di Teco
        Pigna
        Pompeiana
        Pontedassio
        Pornassio
        Prelà
        Ranzo
        Rezzo
        Riva Ligure
        Rocchetta Nervina
        San Bartolomeo al Mare
        San Biagio della Cima
        San Lorenzo al Mare
        Sanremo
        Santo Stefano al Mare
        Seborga
        Soldano
        Taggia
        Terzorio
        Triora
        Vallebona
        Vallecrosia
        Vasia
        Ventimiglia
        Vessalico
        Villa Faraldi

    • La Spezia
      • Ameglia
        Arcola
        Beverino
        Bolano
        Bonassola
        Borghetto di Vara
        Brugnato
        Calice al Cornoviglio
        Carro
        Carrodano
        Castelnuovo Magra
        Deiva Marina
        Follo
        Framura
        La Spezia
        Lerici
        Levanto
        Maissana
        Monterosso al Mare
        Ortonovo
        Pignone
        Portovenere
        Riccò del Golfo di Spezia
        Riomaggiore
        Rocchetta di Vara
        Santo Stefano di Magra
        Sarzana
        Sesta Godano
        Varese Ligure
        Vernazza
        Vezzano Ligure
        Zignago

    • Savona
      • Alassio
        Albenga
        Albisola Superiore
        Albissola Marina
        Altare
        Andora
        Arnasco
        Balestrino
        Bardineto
        Bergeggi
        Boissano
        Borghetto Santo Spirito
        Borgio Verezzi
        Bormida
        Cairo Montenotte
        Calice Ligure
        Calizzano
        Carcare
        Casanova Lerrone
        Castelbianco
        Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena
        Celle Ligure
        Cengio
        Ceriale
        Cisano sul Neva
        Cosseria
        Dego
        Erli
        Finale Ligure
        Garlenda
        Giustenice
        Giusvalla
        Laigueglia
        Loano
        Magliolo
        Mallare
        Massimino
        Millesimo
        Mioglia
        Murialdo
        Nasino
        Noli
        Onzo
        Orco Feglino
        Ortovero
        Osiglia
        Pallare
        Piana Crixia
        Pietra Ligure
        Plodio
        Pontinvrea
        Quiliano
        Rialto
        Roccavignale
        Sassello
        Savona
        Spotorno
        Stella
        Stellanello
        Testico
        Toirano
        Tovo San Giacomo
        Urbe
        Vado Ligure
        Varazze
        Vendone
        Vezzi Portio
        Villanova d’Albenga
        Zuccarello
Hotels in Liguria
liguria hotels
LiguriaWEATHER
Liguria Climate (Genoa)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 11 2 3 55
Feb 12 3 4 53
Mar 14 4 5 63
Apr 18 7 6 55
May 22 11 8 35
Jun 26 15 9 44
Jul 29 17 10 34
Aug 29 17 9 54
Sep 25 14 7 61
Oct 21 11 6 74
Nov 16 8 4 71
Dec 12 3 3 77
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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