Valle d'Aosta + Piemont + Liguria

Ventimiglia is the Italian border town to France. It is located at the mouth of the Roia River, which divides the town into two parts. It was a Roman municipium under the name of Albintimilium and was surrounded by a city wall a prosperous town. Already in 670, the town held the seat of a Bishop. Later it was besieged by the Byzantines and the Goths and suffered from the raids of the Lombards. In the 10th century, it was attacked and looted by the Saracens. Ventimiglia was ruled by the local counts but lived in constant conflict with the Republic of Genoa. In 1505 it was finally annexed to the Genoese Republic was part of the republic until 1814, when it was taken over by the Kingdom of Sardinia. - The Cathedral of Ventimiglia was erected between the 11th and 12th century on the ruins of a previous cathedral of the Lombard / Carolingian period. This again had been built on the site of a Roman temple dedicated to Juno. The Chapter of the Cathedral was confirmed by Pope Lucius III in 1182. Originally the church had a single nave, but already in the 12th century, it got completely rebuilt with three naves. The (round!) baptistery may be the oldest part of the cathedral. Inside ist the "Museo Diocesano". The angels (11th century) have lost their faces.

Ventimiglia is the Italian border town to France. It is located at the mouth of the Roia River, which divides the town into two parts. It was a Roman municipium under the name of Albintimilium and was surrounded by a city wall a prosperous town. Already in 670, the town held the seat of a Bishop. Later it was besieged by the Byzantines and the Goths and suffered from the raids of the Lombards. In the 10th century, it was attacked and looted by the Saracens. Ventimiglia was ruled by the local counts but lived in constant conflict with the Republic of Genoa. In 1505 it was finally annexed to the Genoese Republic was part of the republic until 1814, when it was taken over by the Kingdom of Sardinia. - The three apses of the cathedral. Next to the small left apse stands the Baptistery, which is a very unusual location. Most baptisteries can be found west of the churches, not east like here. The octagonal Baptistery is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Since the 17th century, it is divided into two levels. The upper floor hosts a baroque chapel. For long the Baptistery was dated to the 7th century by scholars, but it is younger and was probably erected together with the cathedral at the end of the 11th century over an older building probably datable around the 7th century.

Ventimiglia is the Italian border town to France. It is located at the mouth of the Roia River, which divides the town into two parts. It was a Roman municipium under the name of Albintimilium and was surrounded by a city wall a prosperous town. Already in 670, the town held the seat of a Bishop. Later it was besieged by the Byzantines and the Goths and suffered from the raids of the Lombards. In the 10th century, it was attacked and looted by the Saracens. Ventimiglia was ruled by the local counts but lived in constant conflict with the Republic of Genoa. In 1505 it was finally annexed to the Genoese Republic was part of the republic until 1814, when it was taken over by the Kingdom of Sardinia. - The three apses of the cathedral. Next to the small left apse stands the Baptistery, which is a very unusual location. Most baptisteries can be found west of the churches, not east like here. The octagonal Baptistery is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Since the 17th century, it is divided into two levels. The upper floor hosts a baroque chapel. For long the Baptistery was dated to the 7th century by scholars, but it is younger and was probably erected together with the cathedral at the end of the 11th century over an older building probably datable around the 7th century.

All ways end in Santiago de Compostella.

The "Oratorio dei Neri" was the "headquarter" of the "Compagnia della Misericordia" (Black Penitents). It was built in 1650. The Baroque interior was created by Maurizio Carrega in the years 1784-1786.

San Michele was erected in the 10th century and remodelled in the 12th century on behalf of the Counts of Ventimiglia when the bell tower was added. In the 13th century the church was granted as a fief to the Lerin Abbey. The earthquake of 1564 severely damaged San Michele. The left aisle was completely destroyed, the right one partially. The collapse of the façade in 1628 destroyed as well the first bay. In the 19th century, the church was "rebuilt" in the neo-Romanesque style. After the damage caused by bombings during WWII, San Michele underwent restoration in the 1950s.

San Michele was erected in the 10th century and remodelled in the 12th century on behalf of the Counts of Ventimiglia when the bell tower was added. In the 13th century the church was granted as a fief to the Lerin Abbey. The earthquake of 1564 severely damaged San Michele. The left aisle was completely destroyed, the right one partially. The collapse of the façade in 1628 destroyed as well the first bay. In the 19th century, the church was "rebuilt" in the neo-Romanesque style. After the damage caused by bombings during WWII, San Michele underwent restoration in the 1950s. The angels, guarding the portal, look like the cousins of the angels at the near Cathedral.

All long-distance bikers have some spare inner tubes in their saddlebags, as these tubes do not last forever. This vending machine offers new ones, if they need.

In 1954 American author Patricia Highsmith saw the bay of Sanremo, thinking about "The Talented Mr Ripley". She decided, to let Tom Ripley kill Dickie Greenleaf right in this bay. They set sail in a small boat, Ripley beats Greenleaf to death with an oar, dumps his body into the water, scuttles the boat and resumes Greenleaf´s identity.

Sanremo has Roman origins, it prospered in the Middle Age, when the population moved from the coast to high grounds. The town (named "La Pigna" was walled for protection Saracen raids. It became a free town in the 15th century. In 1753 it rose against Genoese hegemonical attempts. But Genoa built the fortress of Santa Tecla, situated the port. The fortress still exists. It was used as a prison until 2002. It is now being transformed into a museum. In 1814, Sanremo was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. From the middle of the 18th century, the town grew rapidly, in part due to the development of tourism, which saw the first grand hotels built and the town extended along the coast. Similar to nearby Nice the nobility holidayed here. "Sissi", Empress of Austria, loved Sanremo. Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and Emperor Nicholas II of Russia spent a winter here. Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel made Sanremo his permanent home. - A church existed here already in the 9th century. The church of today was built by Comacini masters in the early twelfth century. From 1619 on the church got modified and finally, the Romanesque structure was transformed into Baroque in 1668. In 1745 a bombing carried out by an English naval formation caused the collapse of part of the roof and facade. After the revolt against the Republic of Genoa in 1753, the bell tower got demolished for punishment. It was then rebuilt in Baroque style In 1901 restoration works were started on the Romanesque aspect. These works were officially completed in 1948.

Sanremo has Roman origins, it prospered in the Middle Age, when the population moved from the coast to high grounds. The town (named "La Pigna" was walled for protection Saracen raids. It became a free town in the 15th century. In 1753 it rose against Genoese hegemonical attempts. But Genoa built the fortress of Santa Tecla, situated the port. The fortress still exists. It was used as a prison until 2002. It is now being transformed into a museum. In 1814, Sanremo was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. From the middle of the 18th century, the town grew rapidly, in part due to the development of tourism, which saw the first grand hotels built and the town extended along the coast. Similar to nearby Nice the nobility holidayed here. "Sissi", Empress of Austria, loved Sanremo. Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and Emperor Nicholas II of Russia spent a winter here. Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel made Sanremo his permanent home. - A church existed here already in the 9th century. The church of today was built by Comacini masters in the early twelfth century. From 1619 on the church got modified and finally, the Romanesque structure was transformed into Baroque in 1668. In 1745 a bombing carried out by an English naval formation caused the collapse of part of the roof and facade. After the revolt against the Republic of Genoa in 1753, the bell tower got demolished for punishment. It was then rebuilt in Baroque style In 1901 restoration works were started on the Romanesque aspect. These works were officially completed in 1948. An "Agnus Dei" between two date palms. Date palms were not common in Northern Italy.

Sanremo has Roman origins, it prospered in the Middle Age, when the population moved from the coast to high grounds. The town (named "La Pigna" was walled for protection Saracen raids. It became a free town in the 15th century. In 1753 it rose against Genoese hegemonical attempts. But Genoa built the fortress of Santa Tecla, situated the port. The fortress still exists. It was used as a prison until 2002. It is now being transformed into a museum. In 1814, Sanremo was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. From the middle of the 18th century, the town grew rapidly, in part due to the development of tourism, which saw the first grand hotels built and the town extended along the coast. Similar to nearby Nice the nobility holidayed here. "Sissi", Empress of Austria, loved Sanremo. Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and Emperor Nicholas II of Russia spent a winter here. Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel made Sanremo his permanent home.

Sanremo has Roman origins, it prospered in the Middle Age, when the population moved from the coast to high grounds. The town (named "La Pigna" was walled for protection Saracen raids. It became a free town in the 15th century. In 1753 it rose against Genoese hegemonical attempts. But Genoa built the fortress of Santa Tecla, situated the port. The fortress still exists. It was used as a prison until 2002. It is now being transformed into a museum. In 1814, Sanremo was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. From the middle of the 18th century, the town grew rapidly, in part due to the development of tourism, which saw the first grand hotels built and the town extended along the coast. Similar to nearby Nice the nobility holidayed here. "Sissi", Empress of Austria, loved Sanremo. Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and Emperor Nicholas II of Russia spent a winter here. - Already Maria Alexandrovna has come up with the idea of ​​having a Russian Orthodox church built here, but it needed some years of planning. All the famous places, where the Russian nobility gathered (Nice, Baden Baden..), had Russian orthodox churches. San Basilio was erected from 1912 on when the Russian parish had about 1000 members. The church was heavily damaged during WWII but by now is well restored. It looks a bit like St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow.

Sanremo has Roman origins, it prospered in the Middle Age, when the population moved from the coast to high grounds. The town (named "La Pigna" was walled for protection Saracen raids. It became a free town in the 15th century. In 1753 it rose against Genoese hegemonical attempts. But Genoa built the fortress of Santa Tecla, situated the port. The fortress still exists. It was used as a prison until 2002. It is now being transformed into a museum. In 1814, Sanremo was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. From the middle of the 18th century, the town grew rapidly, in part due to the development of tourism, which saw the first grand hotels built and the town extended along the coast. Similar to nearby Nice the nobility holidayed here. "Sissi", Empress of Austria, loved Sanremo. Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and Emperor Nicholas II of Russia spent a winter here. Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel made Sanremo his permanent home. - When tourism grew, Sanremo needed a casino. Neighbouring Monaco and Nice already had such entertaining halls for the noble and wealthy clientele. The Sanremo Casino opened in 1905. www.casinosanremo.it/en/casino/

Sanremo has Roman origins, it prospered in the Middle Age, when the population moved from the coast to high grounds. The town (named "La Pigna" was walled for protection Saracen raids. It became a free town in the 15th century. In 1753 it rose against Genoese hegemonical attempts. But Genoa built the fortress of Santa Tecla, situated the port. The fortress still exists. It was used as a prison until 2002. It is now being transformed into a museum. In 1814, Sanremo was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia. From the middle of the 18th century, the town grew rapidly, in part due to the development of tourism, which saw the first grand hotels built and the town extended along the coast. Similar to nearby Nice the nobility holidayed here. "Sissi", Empress of Austria, loved Sanremo. Empress Maria Alexandrovna of Russia and Emperor Nicholas II of Russia spent a winter here. Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel made Sanremo his permanent home. - The centrally located "Marche Couvert" hosts this wonderful "Casa dei Sapori"

La Spezia is the second largest city in the Liguria region after Genoa. Christianity probably gained a foothold in the region from the 3rd century. Along with the migration of peoples and the military conflicts between the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, the Goths invaded Liguria. In 643 the region fell under the rule of the Lombards. In the centuries that followed, the coast was regularly plagued by Arab and Norman pirates.Originally no more than a fishing village, the settlement of La Spezia arose in the 12th century. Under the rule of Nicolò Fieschi from 1256 to 1273, the village, favored by its position at the end of a bay, developed into an outpost in the fight against the dominance of Genoa. After the conquest in 1273, La Spezia became part of the Republic of Genoa. The large, striking building by the architect Adalberto Libera, one of the most representative architects of the Italian Modern movement, in the functional style of the post-war era was built between 1956 and 1976 (due to Libera's death completed in 1963 by Cesare Galeazzi.

Cinque Terre ("Five Lands") is an approximately twelve kilometers long, climatically favorable coastal strip northwest of La Spezia. The Cinque Terre area is a popular tourist destination. Over the centuries people have built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea. Paths, trains, and boats connect the five villages. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hills are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1874 the railway line from Genoa to La Spezia was built along the coast, and each of the five villages got a train station. Outside the stations, the route runs almost entirely in tunnels. Riomaggiore is the most southern of the five villages.

Cinque Terre ("Five Lands") is an approximately twelve kilometers long, climatically favorable coastal strip northwest of La Spezia. The Cinque Terre area is a popular tourist destination. Over the centuries people have built terraces in the rugged, steep landscape up to the cliffs overlooking the Ligurian Sea. Paths, trains, and boats connect the five villages. The coastline, five villages, and surrounding hills are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1874 the railway line from Genoa to La Spezia was built along the coast, and each of the five villages got a railway station. Outside the train stations, the route runs almost exclusively in tunnels. Vernazza is a well-preserved former fishing village. It has no car traffic and is the only natural port of Cinque Terre. In October 2011, Vernazza was struck by torrential rains, massive flooding, and mudslides. The flood left the town buried in over 4 meters of mud and debris, causing over 100 million euro worth of damage. According to legend, a small wooden box containing the finger bones of Santa Margherita's hand was found in very distant times on the Vernazza coast. The Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia was built in the 13th century on a pre-existing Romanesque building that may have existed as early as the 11th century. First mentioned in 1318, it stands on a rock above the sea. The octagonal tower is 40 meters high. Between 1500 and 1600 the church was enlarged, destroying the original medieval facade.