... 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, GiulioCesareProcaccini, Bartolomeo Guidobono. In a dominating position over the high altar is the painting known as the 'Madonna col Bambino' attributed to Nicolò da Voltri.
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 shoesand watch your steps because this is a long way up and down a steep hill. ___
Strangely, YouTube offers very little on La Pigna medieval area...
[repez] This video was made by a class of the local Cassini high school. ___
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 Greekmakro (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. ___ (More on >Wikipedia).
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 Sanremonow. ____________
