Ognio
Ognio: A Fraction of the Val Fontanabuona
Hello friends! Today, I will be talking about Ognio, a fraction of the Val Fontanabuona located in the municipality of Neirone, in the province of Genoa. Ognio was an autonomous municipality until 1804 when it was incorporated into the municipality of Neirone. Nevertheless, Ognio has maintained its geographical and urban separation to such an extent that it is the only location, along with Roccatagliata, to be directly indicated in the postal address.
The History of Ognio
The presence of ancient human settlements in the valley dates back to the 5th century BC. The first documentary references date back to ecclesiastical documents from the 12th century. The ancient church, dedicated to San Rocco, was built between 1582 and 1603 and was ordained a parish by the Archbishop of Genoa, Orazio Spinola, in 1603. In the following centuries, the church underwent numerous restoration and rebuilding works. Inside the church, there is also a valuable organ with pipes from 1888, recently restored in 2016.
Anecdotes and Curiosities of Ognio
In 1660, a curious incident occurred in Ognio when a hermit preacher from Rapallo, Cesare Connio, presented himself as a cleric, creating disorder among the population and competing with the rector. In 1904, a public fountain was built.
Demographic Growth of Ognio
Ognio had a constant demographic growth until the 19th century; then, like many other towns in Liguria, between 1880 and the first half of the 1900s, it was affected by migratory flows towards Germany, North America, and Latin America. From the pre-unification census of the Kingdom of Sardinia, in 1858, Ognio had 381 inhabitants, which rose to 744 in the 1901 census, but then fell to 68 permanent residents in 1971. In recent decades, the population of Ognio has constantly increased, reaching 144 residents in 2011 (excluding vacationers and seasonal residents).
And so, my article on Ognio, a fraction rich in history and curiosity in the province of Genoa, comes to an end. I hope to have helped you discover something more about this enchanting village!
