Busalla
Welcome to Busalla: a small town in the heart of Liguria
Hello friends, today I want to tell you about the beautiful Busalla, a small town located in the metropolitan city of Genoa, in the Liguria region. With just over 5000 inhabitants, Busalla is a municipality that deserves to be discovered, surrounded by the natural beauty of the regional natural park of Antola.
Exploring the territory of Busalla
Busalla is situated in the upper Scrivia valley, not far from Genoa. The territory is crossed by the Scrivia river, on whose banks the town developed. There are many other watercourses that cross the territory, including the Busalletta stream, the Seminella stream, the Moglia stream, the Cadé stream, the Cappe stream, the Tagliata stream and the Cò Erede stream.
Busalla is one of the 45 municipalities in Liguria that are part of the Po River basin, which flows into the Adriatic Sea. Among the peaks of Busalla there are mount Carrega do Diau, Bric dell'Aiuola, Bric delle Ciappe, Bric Rebora, Bric del Cadé, Bric degli Alberi, Bric Strina, Bric dell'Isola Bassa, Bric del Cavallo, mount Zuccaro and Bric Molan.
Moreover, between the territories of Busalla, Ronco Scrivia, Mignanego and Fraconalto, there is Lake Busalletta, built between 1970 and 1977.
The history of Busalla
The name "Busalla" is uncertain and there are several theories about its origin. Some sources say that the name derives from the "busi", which are the hollows and pits in the bed of the Scrivia river, while other sources suggest that the name derives from the union of a Latin word and a word from the Western Germanic language.
However, the most popular version is that the name derives from "brucialla", due to the ancient raids of the village and the related fires caused by invading soldiers.
The first historical document that mentions Busalla dates back to 1192, along with Sarissola. Until the 16th century, the main center of the city was actually Sarissola, which was also a parish seat. In 1239, Busalla came under feudal domination of the Spinola family, who built a castle there. In 1315, the territory between Ronco Scrivia and Busalla was the subject of a struggle between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, who turned it into a battlefield.
Busalla under French and Genoese domination
During the 17th century, the castle of Busalla was destroyed by enemy armies and its foundations were used to build the new marchional palace. From 1728, Busalla became an integral part of the Republic of Genoa following the cession of the Spinola family.
In 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte's France conquered Busalla and from December 2 of the same year, it became part of the department of Monti Liguri Occidentali, with the capital in Rocchetta Ligure, within the Republic of Liguria.
Tourist attractions of Busalla
Busalla is a city rich in cultural and natural treasures to discover. The church of San Martino is one of the most suggestive and representative places of the city, built in the 17th century with baroque architecture. Inside the church, you can admire splendid paintings by artists such as Bernardo Strozzi and Andrea Ansaldo.
Another tourist attraction of Busalla is the church of San Rocco, built in the 16th century. Inside, you can see a painting of the origins of San Rocco, protector against plagues and infectious diseases.
Finally, you can take long walks in the regional park of Antola, immersed in the unspoiled nature of the area.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Busalla is a wonderful city worth visiting. The territory is rich in history and natural beauty that cannot leave you indifferent. If you are looking for a destination for your vacation or for a weekend, Busalla is definitely an ideal choice. Come and discover the treasures of this small Ligurian town!
