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Savona itineraries:
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For as well as enjoying the sea and long walks, Finale is the ideal place to fill your glass with fine white wine and savor a delicious dinner in an intimate seafront restaurant. Final Marina is also set right on the sea: a Genoese outpost in 1365, it became Spanish in the 1600s; its promenade, shaded by lush green vegetation, is one of the most beautiful anywhere in Liguria. Final Borgo, once known as Burgus Finarii, was founded in the late 1100s by the marquises of Del Carretto. It was capital of the Marquisate from the mid 1400s until the early 18th century; walls, palazzos and churches of Final Borgo date back to this time, making it one of the best-kept historic centers in the area around Savona. Exactly which of these historic buildings with their elegant black stone portals give the "Borgo" its noble aspect? Take for example the porta Reale, with the late gothic octagonal bell tower of San Biagio which stands huddled against the town walls; or the convent of Santa Caterina (1359) with its late 15th century cloister, now home to the Museum of Finale and many prestigious cultural events. Then there are Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza del Tribunale with the 15th century building and the Porta Testa at the other end of the borgo. Somewhere in between the narrow streets are brought to life by craftsman's workshop selling wares made of Finale Stone, ceramic, glasses, wood and iron. Higher up, beyond the Porta Mezzalama, stands the Castle of St. Giovanni, a mishmash of Medievale and Spanish architecture which looks stunning when lit up at night. The Strada Berretta, open in 1666 to link Finale to the territories around Milan, once began here. A fifteen minute walk along the ancient track takes you to the ruins of Castel Govone, a military and residential building whose Lombard-style architecture reflects the ties between the Del carretto and the Sforza families. Above Final Borgo, it's well worth making a journey up to Perti to take a look at its two churches: Sant'Eusebio, formerly Spanish in style but now very much of the Baroque, with its attractive wall-belfry and the late 15th century Nostra Signora di Loreto with its five bell towers, built in the Lombard Renaissance style on the lines of the Porticari chapel in Sant'Eustorgio in Milan.
Noli: according to the history books, Italy had four maritime republic, but, in fact there were more: Noli is one of the lesser-known examples. This beautiful village, overlooked by steep Mount Ursino which provided Dante with inpiration for the Purgatorio, enjoyed six centuries of maritime glory and political independence from 1202 to 1797. Its origins are lost in the mists of time, its name is Greek in origin (Neapolis, new city, then Nauli in the early Middle Ages) and it may have fought the Carthaginans alongside the romans; what we know for certain is that between the 6th and 7th centuries a baptistery and parish church stood on the side of the charming Medieval Church of San Paragorio. In the town, surrounded by three city walls and dominated by the ruins of the 11th century castle, the influence of Genoese architecture is palpaple: of 72 towers-cum-dwellings which stood in the 12th century, only 8 remain today, including the 33 meters high Communal Tower which is still intact. A walk through th ancient borgo start from the frescoed Porta Piazza overlooking the sea, taking in the nearby Palazzo del Comune and the tall 13th Communal Tower. Via Colombo, the town's main thoroughfare, is lined with beautiful 13th and 14ht century houses. Piazzetta Morando is exceptional for its strikingly tall Canto Tower, built on a trapezoidal plan and its views of the castle and walls which run down from the hill top. From here towards the hills, Via Colombo runs through Borgo San Giovanni which ends at the 14th century gate of that same name.
Text courtesy of APT Riviera delle Palme
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