Albenga medieval city

The Roman and medieval city is still the center of urban life and its appearance is partly that of the XII-XIV centuries, in the most flourishing period of municipal independence, of which there are numerous testimonies. Albenga is in fact an example, unique in Liguria, of urban continuity between the Roman world, the Middle Ages and the modern age. The city in the Middle Ages was organized according to the division into four districts, which took their name from churches that once stood there, still the beating heart of the city.

 

Every year in July the Historical Palio of Albenga takes place, four days in which the city returns to the Middle Ages and the 4 districts challenge each other in different competitions for the conquest of the Palio. The show includes historical parades, games (archery, tug-of-war, "the medieval family goes to war", demolishing the towers), fights and exhibitions in a city that returns to the ancient in a fascinating atmosphere of great party.

The Neighborhoods of Albenga

Saint John

San Giovanni or Torlata to the north-west, takes its name from the Baptistery or church of San Giovanni, a famous monument of the fifth century and, in the Middle Ages, from a turris lata, a large tower identifiable as the tower complex and houses of the Cepollini, which still today it dominates the intersection between the via delle Medaglie d'Oro, via Torlaro and via Mariettina Lengueglia. In the neighborhood there are still two doors in the walls, Porta Molino and Porta Torlaro.

 

San Siro

San Siro includes the south-western part of the city and takes its name from a small church which has now disappeared, dedicated to the Genoese bishop Siro, whose site is marked by a small square. In the district, rich in noble palaces along the axes of via delle Medaglie d 'Oro and via Roma, the convent of San Domenico rises in the 13th century; the Preachers friars, known for their study and culture, housed the library and archive of the Municipality and, in the church, the chapels of many important families; in the refectory the body of the nobles was usually gathered.

 

Sant'Eulalia

Sant'Eulalia includes the south-eastern part of the ancient center and takes its name from a small church which has disappeared today, remembered from the via Sant’Eulalia. The cathedral of Barcelona is dedicated to this saint and it is likely that his cult was linked to the Benedictine monastery of San Martino della Gallinaria, which in Catalonia possessed numerous vast assets; the island is facing the neighborhood.

 

Saint Mary

Santa Maria includes the north-eastern part of the city and takes its name from the ancient medieval church, rebuilt in the seventeenth century, of Santa Maria in Fontibus, from the source that is under the high altar. This is the neighborhood that suffered more than the other heavy demolitions: already at the beginning of the twentieth century the existing cloisters between the Cathedral and Santa Maria were demolished and a large part of the Roman decumano was gutted, from the Marina door to Piazza San Michele.