Laigueglia
Discovering Laigueglia
Hello friends, let me introduce you to Laigueglia, a beautiful town in the province of Savona in Liguria. This small seaside village, with a population of approximately 1,700 people, is surrounded by Alassio and Andora, and overlooks the stunning Ligurian Sea. Laigueglia is located on the coast of the Riviera Ligure di Ponente, nestled between Capo Santa Croce and Promontorio di Capo Mele, in the Bay of the Sun. I would like to share with you the history of this charming village and some fascinating facts about its physical geography.
Physical Geography
Laigueglia stretches along the coast of the Riviera Ligure di Ponente, between Alassio and Andora. It is a seaside village similar to many other towns in Liguria. The territorial area of Laigueglia covers only 2.72 km², making it the smallest municipality in the province of Savona. The Bay of the Sun, delimited by Capo Santa Croce and Promontorio di Capo Mele, is one of the main attractions of the city and offers a breathtaking view of the sea.
History
According to some historical assumptions, the name Laigueglia would derive from the term Aquilia, introduced here by the legions of the Roman Empire who marched through this section of the Ligurian coast along the Iulia Augusta road. The area was owned by the Benedictine monks of the abbey of San Martino dell'isola Gallinara and was included in the fiefdom of Albenga. In 1191, the fiefdom swore loyalty to the Republic of Genoa, which appointed a local podestà to manage the administrative, economic and legal affairs of the village on its behalf.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, the territory of Laigueglia saw a significant immigration of Catalan inhabitants who contributed to the coral harvesting along the promontory of Capo Mele. Between the 15th and 16th centuries, the village flourished thanks to maritime trade and commerce and was often attacked by pirates, including the Turkish admiral Dragut and Khayr al-Din Barbarossa. In 1543, Laigueglia was subjected to shelling from the sea by Barbarossa, but was defended by Genoese ships and the inhabitants, who had sought refuge in the hills and inland. In 1546, admiral Dragut raided the village and took a considerable number of hostages among the population. It was only thanks to the intervention of Captain Giulio Berno from Alassio that the pirate episode had a less tragic outcome.
Following these attacks, the Republic of Genoa promoted a new policy of coastal defence, inviting the various coastal locations to equip themselves with towers, bastions and walls. The three towers of Laigueglia date back to this period, one of which is still visible along the marina.
Conclusions
Laigueglia is a small seaside village that offers visitors a spectacular view of the Ligurian Sea and the Bay of the Sun. The history of this fishing village is characterized by the attacks of pirates, which led to the construction of towers and other defence systems. Today, Laigueglia is a peaceful and charming place to spend a vacation or a weekend in Liguria. I hope you enjoyed this brief journey into the history and physical geography of Laigueglia. If you have the opportunity, go and visit this beautiful place and let yourself be enchanted by its beauty!
