Sori
Welcome to Sori!
Hello friends! Today I will talk to you about Sori, a beautiful Italian commune located in the metropolitan city of Genoa in Liguria. Sori has a population of 4003 inhabitants and is famous for its privileged location to the east of Genoa, on the Riviera di Levante, with a magnificent view of the Golfo Paradiso. The municipal territory of Sori extends inland along the valley of the eponymous stream up to the hamlet of Pannesi in the municipality of Lumarzo.
Physical Geography
Sori's mountainous territory reaches 894 m with Mount Becco, and is characterized by terraced slopes in the Genoese style called Terrazzamento, which reach an altitude of about 400 m. The vegetation varies with altitude, ranging from Mediterranean scrub to more resilient forests of chestnuts, beeches and oaks, to give way to meadowland around 700 m. Along the coast, which is almost exclusively rocky with cliffs up to thirty meters high, stands the beach of the capital, made of sandy-gravelly terrain.
History
The origin of Sori is not known precisely. Some historians hypothesize it as the creation of a population from central Greece around the 7th century BC, which had founded other towns in the territory of the Ligurians including Marseille and Nice. The Roman Empire may have also made use of the small harbor but there is no evidence to support this. The first documents date back to 1143 with the citation of the "Consuls of Sori", and again in 1190 when the town was placed under the care of the Church of San Giovanni Battista (Recco) in the then jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Milan.
It soon fell under the orbit of Genoa, as did the neighboring villages of the Golfo Paradiso, first in the podesteria of the Bisagno and, from 1606, in the newly established captaincy of Recco. From this historical period, the villages of Sori and Pieve Ligure were aggregated into the feudal municipality of Pieve Ligure.
In the following centuries, thanks to commercial traffic and seafaring, Sori prospered, but like many other cities in Liguria, it suffered numerous raids by Saracen pirates in the 16th century. The population suffered a terrible plunder that led to the destruction of the town and the burning of the territory. In 1754 it was occupied by Austrian troops and around 1800, the mountains above were the scene of bloody battles between the Austrians and Napoleon Bonaparte's army.
With the new French domination, the four municipalities of Sori, Pieve di Sori, Canepa (Sori) and Sant'Apollinare returned to the department of the Golf of the Tigullio, with the capital of Rapallo, within the Republic of Liguria.
Culture and Traditions
Sori is a city rich in history and culture. It hosts numerous traditional events, including the "Sagra del Pesce", which takes place every year during the month of August, and the "Sagra del Mandillo" in December. The "Sagra del Pesce" offers tourists the opportunity to taste freshly caught fish from the Golfo Paradiso, served in a thousand different ways, while the "Sagra del Mandillo" celebrates the mandorlato di Sori, a chocolate dessert famous throughout Liguria.
The city also offers a variety of tourist attractions, such as the Sanctuary of Nostra Signorella della Guardia, which dominates the Golfo Paradiso, and the Castle of Pieve with its ancient watchtower. For sports enthusiasts, Sori also offers the opportunity to practice water activities such as windsurfing, sailing and kitesurfing.
Food and Beverages
Sori is famous for its traditional cuisine whose recipes have been passed down for generations. Typical dishes include focaccia al formaggio, pasta with sardines, and capponata, a dish of stewed eggplants. The pastry is also very famous thanks to the "Sagra del Mandillo" that celebrates the mandorlato di Sori, a chocolate dessert. In addition, Sori also produces delicious wines, such as Pigato and Rossese di Dolceacqua.
How to get to Sori
Sori is easily accessible by car or train from Genoa or other cities in Liguria. However, the most scenic route to reach Sori is the SS1 Aurelia which runs along the Ligurian Sea with incredible views of the Golfo Paradiso.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a place to spend a holiday full of history, culture and delicious food, Sori is the right place for you!
