San Colombano Certenoli
San Colombano Certènoli: a vast and characteristic commune
San Colombano Certènoli is a scattered commune located in the metropolitan city of Genoa in Liguria, with a population of 2559 inhabitants. The commune takes its name from two key fractions, San Colombano and Certenoli, which reflect the historical past of the territory.
The territory of San Colombano Certènoli is the largest in the entire Val Fontanabuona and includes the Anchetta Pass (474 m above sea level) and Mount Ramaceto (1345 m). The Val Cichero separates the commune from the Sturla valley. The numerous peaks of the territory include Mount Cucco (1051 m), Mount Delle Groppe (924 m), Mount Azzarino (763 m), Mount Pissacqua (738 m), and Mount Delle Pezze (732 m).
Located east of Genoa, the commune features valley areas where vines are grown and mountain slopes such as those of Mount Ramaceto, the highest peak in the entire Fontanabuona valley.
Brief history of San Colombano Certènoli
The history of San Colombano Certènoli dates back to the 10th century. Over the years, the territory became a fief of the Fieschi from 1171. In the 14th and 15th centuries, serious conflicts broke out between the different noble factions of the Fieschi and the Malaspina, but the territory then passed under the Republic of Genoa from 1543.
The Certenolesi communities were initially subjected to the captaincy of Chiavari and from 1608 to the newly established captaincy of Rapallo. In 1672, the Savoy family tried to make the population of Calvari revolt against the Genoese republic to annex the territory to Piedmont; but Genoa punished the culprits with the hanging of the local conspirators.
In 1797, with the French domination of Napoleon Bonaparte, the various villages and townships constituted themselves into small municipalities, included in the department of the Gulf of Tigullio, with the capital Rapallo. In 1798, San Colombano returned to the IV canton, with the capital Santa Maria di Camposasco in the jurisdiction of Entella, and from 1803 became the main center of the I canton of Entella in the jurisdiction of Entella.
Attractions of the territory of San Colombano Certènoli
The territory of San Colombano Certènoli offers numerous attractions, including:
- The Church of San Colombano, the most important from a historical point of view in the territory, dating back to the 11th century.
- The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Boschetto, a religious complex erected around 1700, which houses a painting on canvas of the Madonna of Boschetto.
- The Archaeological Museum of Monte di San Colombano, which collects archaeological finds of ancient civilizations that inhabited the area.
- The Val Fontanabuona Adventure Park, which offers adventurous nature trails for adults and children.
- The Fontanabuona Fish Center, where you can taste wines and typical products of the territory.
Annual events of San Colombano Certènoli
San Colombano Certènoli is famous for its annual events, including:
- The Preboggion Festival, a culinary celebration that honors the wild and aromatic herbs of the territory, such as preboggion (a mixture of herbs).
- The Palio of San Colombano, a historic race among the inhabitants of the different fractions to decree the best athlete of the commune.
- The San Colombano Fair, a traditional festival with stalls of typical products, games, live shows, and fireworks.
What to eat in San Colombano Certènoli
San Colombano Certènoli offers a real culinary tradition, which includes dishes such as pansarola (a savory cake with cheese, herbs, and other vegetables), pansoti (pasta stuffed with herbs and dressed with walnut sauce), polenta with stoccafissi (a dish of cornmeal and dried fish), and sweet focaccia with grapes.
Conclusions
San Colombano Certènoli is a commune that offers many tourist, historical, and culinary attractions. The vast and characteristic territory, the numerous peaks, and the culinary traditions make San Colombano Certènoli an ideal destination for those who want to discover the most authentic Liguria.
