A walk in the city of hundred towers. A day in Albenga, Liguria, Italy

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A group of ancient towers that rise toward the blue sky merges with the blue of the sea: when passing on Highway Flower our eyes meet this extraordinary landscape, we know to be worthy of Albenga, which boasts the city's historic center most impressive and best preserved of the Ligurian Riviera di Ponente. Albenga has a breathtaking view also welcomes those arriving by sea: the beautiful Gallinara Island, once inhabited by monks from the Benedictine colombaniani, then, is right in front of the city. The island, which takes its name from the hens that roamed wild in the past, was the refuge of St. Martin of Tours in the late fourth century, while today it is a nature reserve with one of the largest nesting colonies of herring gulls in the Baltic Ligure.
The walk in the center of Albenga, once called Ingaunum album, is a real dive in the most authentic medieval atmosphere. It goes around the nose and mouth open in astonishment at the sight of so many wonderful towers that sprout everywhere, and behind the buildings at the bottom of the lanes. Those of the Old City and the Cathedral, the three towers are the symbol of the city, remember the ancient conflict between the church and the municipal authorities.
Legend has it that many centuries ago in the city there was a serpent that terrorized the inhabitants. In particular, it was impossible to go from Albenga Alassio, killing everyone who passed that way. So the people made a procession praying St. Michael the Archangel, patron of the city, to kill the terrible reptile. The miracle was not slow in coming during the night you saw a sudden light from heaven that was directed toward a specific point of the road. Right here people found the snake killed. The Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel, founded in the late fourth century, is among the oldest buildings in the city. The present church stands on the site of early Christian building and its interior contains precious frescoes and other works.
In the old town we visit the Ingauno Museum at the Palace of the Old City, and we admire also the Bishop's Palace and the Palace Hairy Cepolla, with a thirteenth century tower.
The fabulous location of Albenga in the past was also a source of danger, particularly because of pirate raids. On July 2, 1637, and were held at the Shrine to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Pontelungo, the Saracen pirates attacked the nearby Ceriale, looting and killing dozens of people. Soon after heads towards Albenga, but they were dazzled by the splendor from the Sanctuary, and so, frightened, gave up the massacre. Near the shrine visit the Basilica of San Vittore, which arose early Christian building on the site of a necropolis of the Roman imperial period.
After this walk we decided to relax in the company of a good plate of Ligurian specialties, and so we sit at the tables of the Restaurant Pizzeria Giulisse, Via Unknown Soldier. The youthful, warm colors, cheers. We begin to study the menu you will find in front of a pleasant choice: in addition to the specialty restaurant, we find that of the pizzas are huge, about 40 cm, prepared in a wood oven, as well as Anglo-Saxon dishes such as fish and chips. "I was twenty-five years in England, and once again, a year and a half ago I opened this restaurant. The name combines Giulisse fact my name, Julian, and Ulysses, "the owner tells us. The son of our friends immediately seizes the opportunity to practice English and orders a nice porridge. Some of us do not stand up to the excellent pizzas, choosing among other things Giulisse Pizza, with mozzarella, smoked salmon, arugula and fresh tomatoes. Gustiamo also delicious cakes, including the "green island", with mozzarella, ham, rocket, parmesan and cherry tomatoes. Ranging between the proposals of the delicious restaurant, start with a rich appetizer of sea sampling inter alia, a carpaccio of smoked tuna with arugula and pine nuts and a carpaccio of swordfish. Our friends share a cutting board Giulisse, in fact, served for two people. We follow this by first gnocchi with seafood and spaghetti with scampi and linguine with clams. Among the latter, do not resist the Ligurian salt cod and a nice mixed grill of fish. A couple of our friends instead choose the mixed grill of meat. In closing, the boys enjoy, in large English-style flat bread, "Mr. Brown, "with chocolate, and" Mr. Brown & Mrs. White, "with Nutella and banana.
Definitely will come back in the beautiful Albenga, and the next time the program will put even the Pizza Tour: pizzas and focaccia at will, and finally, the cake of Mr. Brown ...

Frances Bertha

FOR INFORMATION:
www.comune.Albenga.sv.it
www.giulisse.com
Pizzeria Giulisse
Via the Unknown Soldier, 5 Albenga (SV)
Tel: 0182/574315