Albera Ligure
Welcome to Albera Ligure: A place between Piedmont and Liguria
Welcome to Albera Ligure, a cozy town of 296 inhabitants located in the province of Alessandria, in Piedmont. The town is located in a unique position, on the northwest slopes of Monte Ebro, and on the right bank of the Borbera stream, which gives its name to the valley. In this article, we will take you on a journey through the breathtaking scenery of this place, as well as its rich history and places of interest.
Let's discover the physical geography of Albera Ligure
If you are nature lovers, Albera Ligure is definitely for you. The town is located in the Borbera valley and extends over a territory that also includes the hamlets of San Nazzaro, Astrata, and Spinola. To get here, you could travel along the provincial road from Arquata Scrivia to Cabella Ligure. This road will take you to discover pristine and valuable panoramas. The municipal territory extends up to the 1,559 meters of Mount Pana. But not only that: the hamlets of Santa Maria, Vendèrsi, Vigo, Figino, and Volpara are located east, scattered throughout the municipal territory.
The history of Albera Ligure, a mix of Piedmont and Liguria
The history of the town of Albera Ligure alternates between Piedmont and Liguria. The first news about the village dates back to the Middle Ages. About a thousand years ago, a Benedictine abbey was founded in today's hamlet of Vendèrsi, where peasants who were fleeing from the barbarian invasions found refuge. With the assets of the Abbey, a feudal lordship was created with ecclesiastical immunity, headed by a provost under the direct protection of the Pope. Around the mid-fifteenth century, it passed under the dominion of the imperial Ligurian Feuds and was administered by various noble Genoese and Tortona families, including the Fieschi, Sauli, and Gambara families, until the abolition of the imperial feuds in July 1797. Only in 1861 did it become part of the province of Alessandria. In 1863, the municipality of Albera assumed the new name of "Albera Ligure". In 1929, the town was merged into the municipality of Rocchetta Ligure but regained its administrative independence after the Second World War, in 1947.
Symbols of Albera Ligure
The coat of arms and the banner of the municipality of Albera Ligure were granted by decree of the President of the Republic on January 8, 1997. The banner is a Party (heraldry) drapery of yellow and blue.
Monuments and places of interest in Albera Ligure
Albera Ligure hosts numerous historical monuments and places of interest that are definitely worth a visit. In the hamlet of Vendersi, there is the church of the Saints Matteo and Fortunato, dating back to the 9th century. The previous abbey was instead located upstream of the village, in an area called "Pian dei Preti", which is still visibly affected by landslides that destroyed the abbey at the time. Of the ancient parish church of the town, a two-story portico with a sail vault is preserved, leaning against the south side of the Church of San Giovanni Battista (Albera Ligure).
In addition, of Albera Ligure's historical heritage, only a cover of a granite sarcophagus remains, with angular projections, two meters long and wide, leaning against the exterior wall of the church and perhaps used in the Middle Ages as a cover for the tomb of a high prelate or benefactor.
Conclusion
In summary, Albera Ligure is a tourist destination not to be missed if you love nature, history, and good food, thanks to its position between Piedmont and Liguria and its places of interest. Come and visit us, and you won't regret it!
