The Stone, the rock and the fish: one day in the miracles of Pietra Ligure
An imposing limestone cliff that rises on the mainland, not far from the sea. Someone, probably a Roman commander, we went upstairs and said: "Here's to build a castle. A fortress. It 'the perfect place: you see the sea, we can control the ship is not too high but, you see the hills around very well. " And so it was on that rock built a pretty impressive fort, which was enlarged in the period of barbarian invasions and Saracen (between the sixth and ninth centuries). The intuition of the Romans proved apt: the castrum was easily defensible, even if the devastation suffered in any case and when it was rebuilt in the twelfth, and shelter became the residence of the bishops of Albenga.
Our walk through the streets of La Pietra, as it was called the city in the past, begins from the famous castle, and continues to explore the colorful alleyways full of shops Ligurian that run in the historic center. Route is the beautiful main square, where stands the Basilica of St. Nicholas. And then once you find a miracle, according to popular legend, St. Nicholas of Bari in 1525 freed the people of the village from the plague that raged on the coast. The community made a vow, promising to build a magnificent church in honor of the saint. They wanted the church was wonderful and was erected in the most beautiful city and it is precisely this enthusiasm and perfectionism that the work slipped from decade to decade, in search of the perfect place. Eventually he settled on the broad sandy beach fronting the village and in 1750 they began the work. The church was consecrated in 1791, when it was not yet quite finished and had only one bell.
Today, those who come in Pietra Ligure, can see both towers, as well as several valuable works of art inside, including the icon of St. Nicholas on wood, painted by Giovanni Genovese Barbagelata.
But the one operated by St. Nicholas is not the only miracle of Pietra Ligure: it occurred several others, especially Marian, at a small chapel located in the swamps of Maremola, on which was painted a fresco of the Virgin and Child. That fresco is now in the Shrine of Our Lady of Salvation was built in the sixteenth century.
Wandering around the narrow streets, we also discover the Salita di Santa Caterina by which time it accessed the ancient fortress and a small square with two speakers, to that of Whites and Blacks. The Oratorio dei Bianchi is the oldest parish church in the city, built around the ninth century, now a venue for exhibitions and an auditorium, even though the inside of the Masses are still celebrated at several festivals.
After discovering many of the secrets of the history of this charming city, what we want is a nice walk under the palm trees of the promenade and a delicious dinner of seafood specialties: so we sit in the spacious outdoor terrace restaurant of The Rock, Via Don John Bado, not far from the Basilica. "This was one of the first restaurants in Pietra Ligure. We manage with my wife Patricia since 1992 and our son, Manuel, "he says Nino Iannuzzi, the holder, with a long experience in Germany and England. We start with a mixture of water, which is cooked from raw sword, salmon, tuna, anchovies and a cocktail of Gamberini. Among the appetizers we enjoy also marinated anchovies with capers, Ligurian villages and arugula, as well as mussels with spicy tomato sauce flavored with chili oil. "In the kitchen we use so much basil that we grow in our garden, as well as tomatoes, parsley, rocket and many other vegetables," explains Mr. Nino. We continue our dinner, tasting the dishes offered by local, including potato dumplings and white cuttlefish, squid and shrimp with sauce, the ravioli made with cuttlefish, stuffed fish, with a very light clear sauce with rosettes of salmon, while some of us enjoy the pure delight of the home-made noodles with squid ink, with seafood sauce with seafood.
Let's water these delicacies with Ligurian wines, especially with the Pigato and Vermentino, and continue the excellent dinner with fresh fish baked with potatoes and basil, prepared, as well as other dishes tuti, with extra virgin olive oil Liguria. Also enjoy a frying of fish and a mixed grill of fish caught in part by the owner, who loves fishing.
We conclude with a dinner of tasty desserts all'avogado and pine nuts, and almonds and amaretti biscuits: delicious sweet taste which we will remember this day spent in Pietra Ligure.
Frances Bertha
FOR INFORMATION:
www.comunepietraligure.it
Lo Scoglio
Via Don Giovanni Bado, 87
Tel: 019/625175