There is a Baroque Basilica on La Pigna hill...

You already know La Pigna hill in Sanremo...
[otherwise, click on post's title]

... so let's go up the hill, one more time, to complete the
visit of this lovely place, crowned by the Sanctuary 'Nostra
Signora della Costa'.


Tradition says that the first church was built in 1361, the year which marked the end
of the Doria family domination over Sanremo and the autonomy of the town from
the Republic of Genoa. The present church was built in 1630 on the site of the previous
chapel.

The white and black cobblestone flooring of the church-square, extending on the
tree-lined avenue, date back to the seventeenth century, was recently renovated
and is in itself a work of art...



When one goes on the top of the hill, the eye is immediately drawn to the views of the
city, the numerous boats and the lush vegetation to be then lost far away on the skyline.

[Reflections on the sea are misleading, all panoramic pictures were taken just on arrival].


Let's step inside the church, now...


This XVII century building which has represented over the centuries a sure reference
point for seafarers approaching the city, preserves in its interior (sumptuously decorated
with marble and stucco works) a number of wooden statues by Anton Maria Maragliano,
paintings by Domenico Fiasella, Giulio Cesare Procaccini, Bartolomeo Guidobono.


In a dominating position over the high altar is the painting
known as the 'Madonna col Bambino'
attributed to Nicolò da Voltri.

[Read more on Sanremo on SanRemoGuide].





The dome frescoes, by Giacomo Boni.

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Now, you just follow G@tto on La Pigna Hill...

in Sanremo, Italy.

When in Sanremo, if you ever go there, you'll see this map near the gates leading up
the hill.
Here are two recommended routes :
- the red one :
1 Palazzo Borea d'Olmo, 2 Chiesa Santo Stefano, 3 Piazza Nota & Palazzo del Commissario,
4 Porta Santo Stefano & i Vailai, 5 Porta Bugiarda & Porta del Roglio, 6 Via Rivolte, 7 Oratorio
San Costanzo, 8 Giardini Regina Elena, 9 Santuario Madonna della Costa.
- and the blue one :
1 Chiesa Concattedrale Collegiata San Siro, 2 Piazza San Siro, 3 Le Canoniche, 4 Torre Ciapèla,
5 Porta Montù, 6 Palazzo Manara, 7 Porta Palma, 8 Chiesa San Giuseppe, 9 Porta San Giuseppe
& Via dei Mille, 10 Piazza della Cisterna, 11 Porte Santa Maria, 12 Piazza del Capitolo, 13 Chiesa
Santa Brigida, 14 Piazza dei Dolori, 15 Oratorio San Sebastiano.




This is a tough slideshow, so put on your most comfortable virtual shoes and
watch your steps because this is a long way up and down a steep hill.
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Strangely, YouTube offers very little on La Pigna medieval area...


[repez]
This video was made by a class of the local Cassini high school.
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Back on La Pigna hill in Sanremo...

I've already reported a first visit up to the Sanremo ancient area in
a previous post. I was recently back there and up the hill to enjoy
its particular atmosphere and take a closer look to the huge fig trees
that thrust their roots into the crevices of that rocky ground.


The Ficus macrophilla, commonly known as the Moreton Bay fig is a
large evergreen banyan tree of the Moraceae family, subsection of the
Malvantherae.


Its specific epithet macrophylla is derived from the ancient Greek makro
(large) and phyllon (leaf) and refers to the size of the leaves.






The characteristic "melting" appearance of the Ficus macrophylla is due
to its habit of dropping aerial roots from its branches which on reaching
the ground thicken into supplementary trunks which help to support the
great weight of its crown.


The trunk can be massive, with thick, prominent structure and a rough
grey-brown bark. Some trees can reach heights of 60 m.


Currently the tallest Moreton Bay Fig (49 m) is found near Egg Rock, in
Queensland, Australia, but even Europe exhibits some sizeable
naturalized specimen.
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(More on > Wikipedia).

Well, if you ever plan to motor south...

... get your kicks on La Pigna Hill !

This is the old Sanremo (Liguria, Italy), built in 'anno Domini 1000' up on a hill,
so the inhabitants could watch the sea and prevent pirates' attacks.


Knowing that Pigna means pine cone, you can easily find its shape on the map,
with its concentric narrow streets and majestic ficus macrophylla trees on top.


(click on map)








Two of the huge Ficus macrophylla, fiercely exhibiting their aerial and ground roots.








Unfortunately, I was on a flash trip and I discovered the place too late,
but I'll be back, soon - my oldest friend lives in Sanremo now.
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