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Lying in a natural amphitheatre
between Capo Verde and Capo Nero, Sanremo is a tourist resort
of international importance. The area was inhabited in the
Palaeolithic era, in the Iron Age and in Roman times (see
Villa Matruciana near the cathedral). However, during mediaeval
times the population fled to the high country and built a
walled town to defend themselves from Saracen invaders. The
town passed from the dominion of the Ventimiglia nobility
to that of the bishops of Genoa and later to the Doria and
De Mari families in 1297. From the second half of the fourteenth
century, it became an independent municipality and expanded
inland as far as the slopes of Monte Pigna and San Siro. The
old town area has a rich mediaeval heritage. The town's vocation
for élite tourism dates back to the nineteenth century, with
the construction of the first large hotels and the expansion
of the town along the coast. The modified cathedral of San
Siro originally dates back to the thirteenth century: the
original parts that remain are the central rosace and part
of the lateral mullioned windows. The interior preserves a
Crucifix by Maragliano and a canvas by Pancalino showing San
Siro and other saints (1548). Nearby is the oratory of the
Immacolata Concezione (sixteenth century), with frescoes by
Merano, and the baptistery, which was built on former Roman
foundations and those of an earlier church: it holds a painting
by Orazio De Ferrari. The church of Santo Stefano was rebuilt
by the Jesuits in the middle of the seventeenth century and
preserves a painting by Piola and frescoes by Merano. The
single-nave sanctuary of the Madonna della Costa goes back
to the seventeenth century: here you can admire frescoes by
Giacomo Antonio Boni and a painting from the Barnaba da Modena
school (late fourteenth century) as well as a painting by
Domenico Fiasella. Palazzo Borea d'Olmo is an impressive Baroque
building that was partly rebuilt in the eighteenth century:
it houses the Archaeology Museum (prehistoric and Roman exhibits).
The late nineteenth-century buildings are also of great charm:
among the most interesting are Villa Ormond, with its surrounding
parkland, and Villa Alfred Nobel, the residence of the famous
scientist. The orthodox church of San Basilio dates from the
twentieth century. Also dating from this century are the Municipal
Casino, an art nouveau building designed by Eugenio Ferret,
and Portosole, the new leisure port (800 boats), which also
has a sports complex. Among the famous people who have stayed
at Sanremo was Maria Alexandrovna, Empress of Russia: the
seafront promenade bears her name. The prestigious Song Festival
and the vocation for floriculture have helped to increase
the international reputation of Sanremo.
Hotel Suggestion : Hotel
Royal Sanremo*****L
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FRENCH
RIVIERA 
