Loano - Ligurien - Italien

Loano has an ancient, noble history, which led it from capital of a small principality to an outstanding seaside resort, thanks to the beauties that nature bestowed on it: the sea, the beach, a mild climate, the earth’s fertility.
A city of Roman origin, in the Middle Ages Loano was the see of Albenga bishops, was later handed to the Doria family in 1263 and remained under the rule of this influential family, almost with no interruption, till 1737, when it was sold to the Savoias. The Dorias were munificent and generous lords who embellished Loano with monuments and art works.
The Roman age left us the Pontasso, a stone bridge, now buried along the Roman street which runs to the west of the city, and a II century mosaic floor, today in the main hall of Palazzo Doria, the elegant city palace built in 1578, with balcons, loggias, a walled garden and a 1608 pentagonal tower which was erected against the pirates.
Close to Palazzo Doria, we find the XVII century Palazzo del Comandante, with its beautifully ornated façade. Nor can we neglect another Doria building, the Castle, built in the XVII century, which today is a gorgeous XVIII century villa plunged in a park looking over the sea. All around it, Borgo Castello is the mediaeval walled heart of the city.
In the linear borgo lying parallel to the coast and visible from the sea, the XVII century parish church of S. Giovanni Battista has a twelve-side shape and is enriched with paintings by Genoese masters and a late XIX century iron dome, strenghtened with an antiseismic structure.
We are not less indebted to the Doria family for the two great XVII century convents: S. Agostino, in the very heart of the city, and the Monte Carmelo monastery on a panoramic hill, both of which are rich in art works. On Monte Carmelo, the Dorias built their tombs till 1793.
A remnant of Savoia rule over the city is the Clock Tower, erected in 1774 on the Pastorino Gate to celebrate Vittorio Amedeo III. We can meet the tower if, leaving the city centre, we walk to the sea.
But the most important date with history for Loano was the battle the French revolutionary army fought,and won, with the Austrian and Savoia armies on 23th and 24th November 1795. It was the first battle in the long campaign which was to give Napoleon power and glory, and although the fight took place rather on the surrounding hills than in Loano itself, the inhabitants are proud to recollect this old, important episode of their history: after all, the name of the city is inscribed on the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris...
Today, Loano is one of the liveliest seaside resorts in the Riviera. Its long, sandy beach is lined by the beautiful sea walk and shadowed by palm trees on which the sun shines in summer and in winter. The beach life offers many opportunities for fun and sport: swimming, surf, aquagym, baby club, not to mention the evening parties, the concerts, the discos, the barbecues in the open air. And to sea dogs, Loano holds out a modern, well-equipped tourist harbour.
Those who leave the sea behind themselves bearing the taste of salt on their skin can stroll around in the intricacy of carrugi north of the sea walk, in the historic center, or go shopping in the charming small shops, looking for the agricultural products which are still cultivated in the country around the city. There were many vegetable and fruit gardens in the plain of Nimbalto stream, just around old Loano. But still today, no matter if holiday houses havespread all about, the fertile earth of the plain brings forth tasteful vegetables and fruits.