Montoggio
Let's Discover Montoggio, a Ligurian Municipality rich in history and natural beauty
Montoggio is a small municipality located in the metropolitan city of Genoa, situated in the Scrivia Valley to the northeast of the city. With a population of 1,978 inhabitants, Montoggio is a charming place, rich in both history and natural beauty.
The Physical Geography of Montoggio
Montoggio's territory extends into the upper Scrivia Valley, nestled in the basin at the base of Mount Bano. The peaks of the Liprando, Badriga, Garego, Moro, Alpesisa, Tacche, Della Croce, Caricato, Acuto, Di Luega, Lago, Banca, Chiappa, Carossino, La Sella, Cornua, Alpe, and Bonetto mountains surround the village, creating breathtaking views.
In the area, a dam was built near the Rio delle Noci, creating the Val di Noci Lake. This artificial waterfall was constructed in the 1920s.
The History of Montoggio
The earliest recorded historical information about Montobbio (as the village was known in ancient times) dates back to the 10th century. At that time, the village was a part of the Tortona Diocese's possessions. In 1157 and 1161, Pope Adrian IV and Pope Alexander III confirmed the ownership of the Castello di Montoggio and its lands.
The fief passed to the Malaspina family, thanks to Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, who, in 1164, granted the feudal lands to Opizzone Malaspina. In 1221, Emperor Frederick II of Svevia confirmed to the Malaspina family, in the person of Opizzone Corrado Malaspina, the lands of the upper Scrivia Valley, including Montoggio.
During the Conspiracy of Gianluigi Fieschi against the Republic of Genoa, the Montoggio Castle was besieged by the Genoese army. Subsequently, the castle was mined and blown up, successfully enabling the recapture of the village, and subjugating it definitively as a fief of the Republic.
It is also worth recalling that during the invasion of the Austrian army in 1747, the territory of Montoggio was the scene of a battle between the Genoese and the Austrians for the domination of the lands, in a War of Austrian Succession.
In 1797, with the new French domination of Napoleon Bonaparte, the municipality of Montoggio returned on December 2nd to the department of Western Ligurian Mountains, with the capital of Rocchetta Ligure, within the Republic of Genoa. From April 28th, 1798, with the new French regulations, Montoggio became the capital of the III canton of the jurisdiction of the Western Ligurian Mountains, and, from 1803, the main center of the VII canton of Scrivia in the jurisdiction of Lemmo.
The Natural Beauties of Montoggio
The village has been chosen by its inhabitants for its unspoiled nature and the beauty of its wooded area. The Scrivia Valley, with the Laccio and Pentemina streams, in addition to the Scrivia itself, provides nature lovers with the opportunity to take hikes and walks surrounded by nature and silence, enjoying an enchanting panorama.
The view of Mount Bano, with its peak at 1035 meters, offers a unique and unforgettable visual experience. The landscape, with its colors, the fragrances of the forests, the birdsongs and the wildlife contribute to creating a sensation of peace and well-being.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Montoggio is a Ligurian municipality rich in history and natural beauty, an ideal place for those seeking peace and tranquility and for those who love nature and hiking. Its unique landscape and its cultural heritage deserve to be discovered and appreciated.
