La California
California: an Italian hamlet
Hi there! Today, I'll tell you about California, a hamlet in the municipality of Bibbona, located in the province of Livorno, Tuscany. California is situated along the Via Aurelia state road and is approximately 4 kilometers away from Cecina, known for the famous Parco Gallorose. In this summary, I'll tell you about the history and landmarks of this small hamlet.
Physical Geography
California is perfectly located for those who want to explore the Tuscan coast. It is just a few kilometers away from Marina di Bibbona, Casale Marittimo, and Bolgheri, while it is 40 kilometers away from Livorno and 45 from Piombino. The main settlement is developed along the provincial road to Bibbona and intersects with the SP 39 (historical Via Aurelia) and the Strada statale 1 Via Aurelia. Moreover, there are other groups of houses further north leading to the coast.
History
California has an ancient history probably dating back to the 6th century BC when an Etruscan tomb was discovered in the Crocino hamlet. However, California's fame is due to the story of Leonetto Cipriani, who in the 1800s, thanks to the Californian gold rush, commuted between the Mediterranean and California, receiving an honorary consulship in San Francisco from Count Cavour. Cipriani named the small village of farmers and fishermen where he lived California.
In the 1960s, the hamlet began to expand, and the new Church of Our Lady of Fatima was built. Today, every four years, the inhabitants of the locality hold a simulation of the American elections, sending it to the American consulate in Florence. In 2008, an American TV crew went to California to film the voting operations.
Monuments and Points of Interest
The main point of interest is the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, built in the 1960s thanks to the perseverance of the parish priest Don Gino Costantini. Previously, a chapel had been built for religious services, which was then expanded and transformed into a parish center. The church is consecrated and open to visitors.
Culture
California is featured in two Italian films. In the 1999 comic film "Tutti gli uomini del deficiente" by the Gialappa's Band, California is mentioned and shown for its namesake with the state of California in the United States. Additionally, in the film "13dici a tavola" from 2004, California is mistakenly indicated as a locality in the province of Grosseto.
That's the summary of the history, landmarks, and places of interest in the small hamlet of California. If you're in the area, I recommend stopping by and visiting the church. Bye!
