Imperia (City)

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Imperia is a city and comune in the region of Liguria, Italy. It is also the capital of the province of Imperia. Historically it was also capital of the part of the Liguria region once known as Intemelia.

Imperia is well known for its floriculture and olive industries, and is a popular tourist destination for maritime visitors in summer.

Geography

Imperia consists of the two historical districts Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, divided by the River Impero, which gives the city its name.

Porto Maurizio is situated on a peninsula to the west of the river, stretching along the coastline. It is the more colourful and wealthy district of the city, threaded by narrow lanes known as carrugi, and its economy centres around the tourist industry. It was a possession of Genoa from the 13th century.

Oneglia (formerly known as Ineja) lies on an alluvial plane to the east of the Impero, and with its working port is the more modern and industrial of the two districts. At its centre lies Dante Square, from which radiate some of the principal roads of the city.

History

Through wars, treaties and purchases, Porto Maurizio and Oneglia came into the possession variously of Genoa, France, Spain, Savoy and Piedmont, before becoming part of the new Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

The city of Imperia was created on 21st October 1923 by the union of Porto Maurizio and Oneglia and the surrounding village communes of Piani, Caramagna Ligure, Castelvecchio di Santa Maria Maggiore, Borgo Sant'Agata, Costa d'Oneglia, Poggi, Torrazza, Moltedo and Montegrazie.

Main sights

Porto Maurizio

• The classical Cathedral of San Maurizio, built between 1781 and 1832 by Gaetano Cantoni, is the largest church in Liguria.
• Old Town.
• Convent of Santa Chiara. First established in 1365, the existing structure dates from 1741.

Oneglia

• Museo dell' Olivo (The Olive Tree Museum).
• Church of San Giovanni Battista, built in 1739-1762.

External links

• [City of Imperia website] (in Italian)
• [Province of Imperia website] (in Italian)
• [Imperia Mare Association website] (in Italian, English and French)
• [Museo dell' Olivo website] (in Italian, English, German and French)
• [Consorzio Mete di Liguria] (in Italian)

 

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