Isola del Cantone
Welcome to Isola del Cantone: a journey to discover its territory and history
Hello everyone and welcome to Isola del Cantone, a municipality located in the upper Scrivia valley of the metropolitan city of Genoa, in Liguria. With its 1387 inhabitants, this municipality is the most northern in Liguria and offers a territory rich in natural and historical beauties.
Physical geography
Territory
The municipal territory is located on the Ligurian Apennines and extends between the A7 motorway, the SS35 dei Giovi and the Turin-Genoa railway. The town is enclosed in this space, which also includes numerous peaks, including Bric delle Camere, Monte Lerta, Bric Castellazzo, Monte Reale and many others.
Climate
The climate of Isola del Cantone is typical of mountainous areas, with cold winters and cool, windy summers. Snow is frequent in the winter season.
History
The municipality of Isola del Cantone was born from the merger of the two villages of Isola and Cantone. The first takes its name from its position at the confluence of the Scrivia river and the Vobbia stream, while the second owes its name to the presence of a station along the SS35 dei Giovi.
The town developed around a monastery of the Order of Saint Benedict, founded in 1216 and dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Over the centuries, the territory of Isola del Cantone became the subject of disputes between the Republic of Genoa and the diocese of Tortona, until the division into two parts of the feud in 1218, with the left section of the Scrivia river attributed to the Republic of Genoa and the right part to the territory of Tortona.
In 1235, Isola del Cantone became the only feud of the Malaspina family and later of the Spinola. In 1797, with the French domination, the municipality was included in the department of the Western Ligurian Mountains, within the Ligurian Republic. In the following centuries, Isola del Cantone became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia and the Kingdom of Italy.
Places of interest
The Church of San Michele Archangelo
Among the main places of interest in Isola del Cantone, the Church of San Michele Archangelo represents not only an important religious building, but also a historical and cultural heritage of the area. Dating back to the 13th century, the church has a Romanesque-Gothic style and preserves inside it frescoes, statues and valuable furnishings.
Mount Brignone
Mount Brignone, with its height of 802 meters, is one of the favorite destinations for hikers and nature lovers. From the summit, in fact, it is possible to admire a breathtaking panorama of the valley below and the surrounding mountains.
The Castle of Spinola
The Castle of Spinola is an ancient building dating back to the 13th century and located in the homonymous hamlet of Isola del Cantone. The construction, which features medieval style, has recently been restored and is a place of interest for history and ancient architecture enthusiasts.
Events and festivals
Chestnut Festival
The Chestnut Festival of Isola del Cantone is a traditional festival held every year in October. During the event, visitors can taste different specialties made of chestnuts and participate in pottery competitions and musical performances.
Feast of San Michele Archangelo
The Feast of San Michele Archangelo is an important religious celebration that takes place every year on September 29th in the Church of San Michele Archangelo. Precisely on this occasion, musical shows and cultural events are also organized.
Here is our guide to discover Isola del Cantone, a municipality characterized by unspoiled nature and a history rich in events. We are sure that a visit to this place will make your stay not only pleasant, but also unforgettable.
