Lavagna

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Lavagna
Comune
Città di Lavagna
Lavagna panorama.jpg
Coat of arms of Lavagna
Coat of arms
Lavagna is located in Italy
Lavagna
Lavagna
Location of Lavagna in Italy
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country Italy
Region Liguria
Province / Metropolitan city Genoa (GE)
Frazioni Barassi, Cavi di Lavagna, Santa Giulia di Centaura, Sorlana
Government
 • Mayor Giuliano Vaccarezza
Area
 • Total 13.7 km2 (5.3 sq mi)
Elevation 6 m (20 ft)
Population (31 December 2008)[1]
 • Total 13,084
 • Density 960/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Lavagnesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 16033
Dialing code 0185
Patron saint Madonna del Carmine
Saint day 16 July
Website Official website

Lavagna is a tourist port city of c. 13,000 inhabitants in the curving stretch of the Italian Riviera di Levante called the gulf of Tigullio, in the province of Genoa in Liguria. The borgo of Lavagna was an important Ligurian cultural center in the Middle Ages. Today its long straight beach is packed with August tourists.

Torre del Borgo in Lavagna.

History

Lavagna developed in Roman times as Lavania. According to some historians, it was seat of a countship since Carolingian times. From 1198 it was a fief of the Fieschi family, who used Lavagna as their stronghold in the numerous inner struggles of the Republic of Genoa.

In 1564 it was sacked by the African pirate Dragut. From 1815 it was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and, later, of the Kingdom of Italy.

Main sights

Basilica of Santo Stefano
  • Basilica of Santo Stefano (17th century)
  • Basilica of Santa Giulia (1654)
  • Sanctuary of Nostra Signora del Ponte (13th century), with the nearby bridge. It was enlarged by the Fieschi Pope Innocent IV, being consecrated in 1492. It has been largely renovated in the 19th century. According to the tradition, Dante Alighieri crossed the bridge during his voyage to France.
  • Torre del Borgo, a Medieval tower now housing the local art gallery.

Culture

The city recreates neo-medieval festivities annually as the "Torta dei Fieschi", which has been recreating (since 1949) the festivities that surrounded the wedding in 1230 of Opizzo Fieschi, Conte di Lavagna, older brother of Sinibaldo, future Pope Innocent IV, with the Sienese patrician Bianca de' Bianchi. A colorful cortege through the streets reunites the inhabitants of the six medieval quarters (sestieri) of Lavagna, as the gigantic cake is distributed among those in the crowd who have found the matching half of their tickets.

The characteristic shale that provides roofing "slates" in Liguria was traditionally quarried in the Capenardo and S. Giacomo mountains nearby.

Ceramic history

The porcelain tile Lavagna Nera or Bianco is 30x60. It can be used on the floor and wall.

People from Lavagna

See also

References

  1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

External links