Moneglia
Welcome to Moneglia!
Welcome to Moneglia, a picturesque town located on the Riviera di Levante in Liguria, Italy. With a population of 2548 inhabitants, Moneglia is the easternmost municipality of the metropolitan area of Genoa, located about 30 km from La Spezia and 60 km from Genoa. Let's discover the history and geography of this charming town together.
Physical Geography
Moneglia is located within a bay delimited by two promontories, the Punta Moneglia promontory and the Punta Rospo promontory. The first promontory, completely wild and reachable only by trails, extends to the Comunaglia and Monte Moneglia mountains. The second, instead, has several residential areas up to the village of Lemeglio. The territory of Moneglia is mainly crossed by two torrential rivers, the San Lorenzo and the Bisagno rivers. The climate is typically Mediterranean, without thermal extremes in summer or freezing episodes in winter. Precipitation can be abundant due to the orography of the Riviera di Levante.
History
The toponym of Moneglia appears for the first time in the Tabula Peutingeriana, a copy of the military map of the Roman Empire. The village was already inhabited by the Ligurian population, and in Roman times it was an important center, located on the ancient Via Aurelia. The Moneglia territory was mentioned in an empire map of the year 14 and in the "tabula alimentaria" of 117. The historical importance of the Moneglia territory is testified by the historian Agostino Giustiniani in the "Castigatissimi Annali della Repubblica di Genova" of 1537. In the seventh century, Liguria was conquered by the Lombards, and subsequently donated to the Abbey of San Colombano by Charlemagne in 774.
What to do in Moneglia
Moneglia offers numerous tourist activities, including trekking and hiking from the mountains to the beaches. The village has a varied monumental heritage, where you notice the church of San Giorgio, the church of the Immaculate Conception, and the medieval tower of Moneglia. The village also has its own beaches, where you can swim, snorkel and enjoy the sun. The Levanto beach is the most well-known and frequented.
Culture and gastronomy
Moneglia is a city that boasts traditions and culture. The city's cathedral houses great expressions of Italian art, including the paintings of Giulio Cesare Procaccini and Luca Cambiaso. The traditional Ligurian cuisine is a real delight for the palate. Typical dishes include pesto alla genovese, focaccia, and farinata. Moneglia also offers typical products, such as olive oil, and the famous Vermentino white wine.
Conclusions
Moneglia is an Italian city characterized by a strategic position on the Riviera di Levante, which makes it a reference point for local tourism. History, culture, and gastronomy are just some of the elements that contribute to the beauty of the city. Whether you are looking for a hike in the mountains, relaxation on the beach, or a discovery of culture and gastronomy, Moneglia offers everything you’re looking for.
