Loano
Welcome to Loano, city of the Riviera delle Palme
Welcome to Loano, a municipality in the province of Savona in Liguria, Italy. With a population of 10,758 inhabitants, Loano is the sixth most populous municipality in the province. The city is part of the Riviera delle Palme, along with other municipalities such as Balestrino, Boissano, Borghetto Santo Spirito, Borgio Verezzi and Pietra Ligure. This area of Liguria has a population of about 38,000 residents, and thanks to its central location, Loano can be considered the fourth largest city in the province.
The physical geography of Loano
Territory
Loano is located on the coast of the Riviera delle Palme, exactly at the mouth of the Nimbalto stream, between the municipalities of Pietra Ligure and Borghetto Santo Spirito.
Climate
The climate in Loano is Mediterranean and temperate. Unlike other localities in the area, Loano is less exposed to winds from the northern quadrants, making it particularly favorable for enjoying outdoor leisure time. In addition, thanks to its position protected by mountains, Loano is more sheltered from cold north winds than neighboring municipalities, making it similar to the extreme Ponente resorts such as Sanremo, Bordighera, and Ospedaletti. Thanks to these climatic characteristics, together with its history and location, Loano is considered an island of the Ponente.
The history of Loano
The history of Loano is ancient: the city has pre-Roman origins. Recent archaeological finds have confirmed the presence of pre-Roman and Roman villages of some importance. In Carolingian times, the territory of Loano, then called "Lovenis," was donated to the Abbey of San Pietro in Varatella di Toirano. It was during that period that the church-sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto was built near the port.
From the 11th to the 12th century, Loano was a bishopric of the nearby Diocese of Albenga-Imperia. In 1263, during the episcopate of Lanfranco Dinegro, the territory of Loano was invested in Oberto Doria, who as a vassal endowed the still-developing fiefdom along the inland slopes with legal and administrative autonomy due to the increasing frequency of pirate raids.
The domination of the Doria family over Loano lasted throughout the 15th century. In 1505, Prince Corrado III Doria sold to Count Giovanni Luigi Fieschi the feudal property of Loano. The Fieschi family of Lavagna maintained control of the Loano territory until the mid-16th century, although they rarely resided in the area.
What to see in Loano
Loano is a city rich in history and natural beauty. One of the major points of interest is the church-sanctuary of Our Lady of Loreto, dating back to the Carolingian era. Another attraction of Loano is the Doria palace, a noble residence dating back to the 12th century, with a magnificent Roman mosaic of the imperial age visible on the main floor.
Loano is also famous for its beaches and clear waters. The beach of Loano is about one and a half kilometers long and offers all the necessary services to spend a day at the sea, such as the possibility of renting sun loungers and umbrellas, or practicing water sports such as canoeing and windsurfing.
What to eat in Loano
Ligurian cuisine is famous for its seafood dishes, and Loano is no exception. Among the local specialties are fried fish, ciuppin, buridda and, of course, pesto alla genovese. The restaurants and trattorias in Loano offer a wide selection of typical local dishes, as well as international cuisine.
How to get to Loano
Loano is easily accessible from the nearby Autostrada dei Fiori (A10), as well as by train, thanks to the Loano railway station, located on the Genova-Ventimiglia line. In addition, the nearest airport is Genoa airport, which is about 80 kilometers from Loano.
Conclusion
Loano is a city rich in history and natural beauty, offering tourists the opportunity to spend a vacation of relaxation and fun. Its beaches, historic monuments and traditional cuisine make this city an ideal place to spend an unforgettable vacation.
