Bolano
Bolano: a jewel between Liguria and Tuscany
Located in the province of La Spezia, Bolano is a Ligurian municipality with a population of 7,442 inhabitants. The town is situated on the border between Liguria and Tuscany and is strategically positioned to overlook the confluence of the Vara and Magra rivers. Bolano's territory is typically Ligurian with terraces for agricultural cultivation, olive groves, and forests of various species such as chestnut, ilex oak, and elm. The territory falls within the Regional Nature Park of Montemarcello-Magra-Vara and is part of the ancient Alta Via dei Monti Liguri, a 442 km nature trail from the Riviera di Ponente to the Riviera di Levante.
Origin of the name Bolano
The name of the municipality of Bolano has Roman origins. It can be compared to Bola, an ancient city in Lazio that disappeared during the Roman Empire. The Latin cognomen Bolanus gave the name to the town. The name was mentioned by some important historical figures such as Marcus Tullius Cicero and Quintus Horatius Flaccus. The cognomen Bolanus joined with that of Vettius, and the two Roman families gave rise to the toponymy of a nearby town, Vezzano Ligure, whose name derives from the cognomen Vettius.
History of the municipality of Bolano
According to historical sources, the first inhabitants of Bolano were the Apuani, an ancient people of Liguria. Funerary discoveries dating back to that period were found in the plain of Ceparana, and in the locality of Viara, a chest tomb was discovered and preserved at the Ubaldo Formentini Archaeological Museum. Bolano also has a Roman history, as shown by the mentions of figures such as Cicero and Flaccus. In the Middle Ages, Bolano was part of the Republic of Genoa, and in the 1800s, with the transition of dominion from the Republic of Genoa to the Kingdom of Sardinia, the town had significant economic progress thanks to the silk industry.
The cultural and environmental heritage of Bolano
In addition to its history, Bolano is also very interesting from a cultural and environmental point of view. The town is in a strategic position to visit Liguria and Tuscany, with nearby places such as the Cinque Terre, Lerici, Portovenere, Carrara, and the Regional Nature Park of Montemarcello-Magra-Vara, with its suggestive nature trails. Bolano is also an important center for art, with the Ubaldo Formentini Archaeological Museum, which exhibits numerous archaeological finds. The Sanctuary of San Bernardino, the Church of Sant'Anna, and the Chapel of the Disciplinanti are other examples of cultural heritage present in Bolano.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Bolano is a jewel of Liguria. The town has a millennial history, a unique cultural and environmental heritage, and a strategic position to visit Liguria and Tuscany. With its connection to the Roman families of Bolanus and Vettius, the name Bolano is mirrored in the toponymy of the nearby town of Vezzano Ligure. Bolano is an unmissable destination for those who love history, art, and nature.
