Pontinvrea
Pontinvrea: a commune immersed in nature
Hello friends! Today I want to tell you about Pontinvrea, a beautiful Italian commune located in the province of Savona, in Liguria. In its territory, which extends over the northern slope of the Ligurian Apennines, the forest reigns supreme. Here, the Erro stream crosses the valley and creates a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere.
Pontinvrea is a popular summer holiday destination thanks to its cool climate, which reaches an average temperature of 20.1°C in the summer. Although winters are quite cold and the average daily temperature in January is only 1.5°C, there are many activities to do even during the coldest months of the year. In fact, in spring and autumn, the forests of Pontinvrea are rich in mushrooms and attract expert gatherers from all over the region. However, this activity is strictly regulated, so if you decide to try your hand at mushroom picking, I recommend that you always be informed about the current regulations.
The ancient history of Pontinvrea
If you are passionate about history, you have surely wondered how the territory of Pontinvrea evolved to become a community of 809 inhabitants. The commune is mentioned in ancient documents under the name "Astoraria" and its ancient history is linked to the Pareto fiefdom, which owned the lands from the 11th century onward.
In the lands of Pontinvrea, a convent of Cistercian nuns was built in 1192 under the dependence of the Church of Santa Maria di Latronorio, which were later subjected to the abbey of Tiglieto in 1217. The territory of Pontinvrea followed the fate of the Marquisate of Pareto, which was ceded to the Republic of Genoa in 1223. However, the area called Astoraria, or the current Pontinvrea, remained under the community or curia of Pareto.
In 1419, the lands of Pareto were ceded to the Marquisate of Monferrato, and the locality of Ponte dei Prati, which supplanted the ancient Astoraria denomination, also remained subject to the Monferrato marquisate. It was only in 1606, with the approval of Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga, that the feudal rights over Ponte dei Prati were ceded by the Pareto community to the Genoese nobleman Giovan Battista Invrea. The latter gave birth to the current inhabited center of Pontinvrea by building the marchese palace (the current town hall), the Church of San Lorenzo, and the church of the Madonna del Carmine.
Pontinvrea in the Kingdom of Sardinia
From 1720 to 1861, Liguria was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia. With Napoleon Bonaparte's Italian Campaign, the territory of Pontinvrea returned on December 2, 1797 to the Letimbro Department, with Savona as its capital, within the Ligurian Republic. After the advent of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, Pontinvrea was part of the province of Genoa, and only later, in 1927, passed to the province of Savona.
Modern Pontinvrea
Today, Pontinvrea is a small but lively commune. Its beautiful Church of San Lorenzo dominates the inhabited center and is a much-loved destination for visitors. In Piazza della Chiesa, you will find the famous "Palla eh!", a large metal sphere that symbolizes the national sport of ball game. In addition to this, Pontinvrea offers many beautiful opportunities for those who love nature and outdoor sports, such as trekking, cycling, and mountain biking.
If you are on holiday in Liguria, I recommend visiting Pontinvrea and taking a walk along its nature trails. I am certain that you will not regret it!
