Lavina
Welcome to Lavina!
Hello friends! Today I will talk to you about Lavina, a beautiful hamlet in the municipality of Rezzo, in the province of Imperia. I will take you on a journey to discover its history, physical geography, and its artistic and architectural treasures.
Lavina and Its Name
The toponym Lavina derives from the Latin feminine name Lavinia, a name that can also be found in literature and mythology. In some documents, the Giara di Rezzo was referred to as the "Lavina" stream.
Physical Geography of Lavina
The village of Lavina is located next to the Giara di Rezzo stream, mainly on the right bank of the watercourse. On the opposite bank of the stream are the houses of Borghetto and the former municipality of Lavina, which also included wooded areas on the slopes of the mountains. The village is very sensitive to landslides and has suffered several traumatic events over the years.
History of Lavina
The first historical document that mentions Lavina dates back to 1320, and it refers to the parish church of Sant'Antonio Abate. In 1357, the "Statutes of Lavina" regulated the use of pastures and waters, municipal charges, and magistracies. In 1455, Lavina was sold by the Ventimiglia family to the Lascaris family and came under the control of the County of Tenda. The village was then rebuilt in its current position following a landslide. In the 18th century, the municipality of Lavina was merged with that of Cenova but later regained its administrative autonomy. In 1928, the two villages were incorporated into the municipality of Rezzo.
Artists of Lavina
It's interesting to discover that three architects who worked in Liguria and Piedmont between the 17th and 18th centuries were born in Lavina: Giovanni Antonio Ricca the Elder, Giovanni Antonio Ricca the Younger, and Antonio Maria Ricca.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Lavina is full of artistic and architectural treasures, including the Parish Church of Sant'Antonio Abate, built in 1725 as an extension of a pre-existing religious building from the 14th century. We can't forget the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Neve in Rezzo and several oratories, such as that of San Giovanni Battista, dating back to the 16th century. On the list, we also find the chapel of San Pantaleo where you can admire a triptych from the late 16th century, the oratory of San Colombano, the chapel of San Sebastiano, the chapel of San Giuseppe, and the chapel of San Bernardo, which still preserves frescoes. The ruins of the church of Santa Maria Maddalena are also interesting.
Goodbye from Lavina!
We have come to the end of our journey in Lavina. I hope I have inspired you to visit this locality full of history and architectural and artistic treasures. See you soon!
