Levanto (Italy)
Encyclopedia
Levanto is a comune
(municipality) in the province of La Spezia
in the Italian
region Liguria
, located about 60 km southeast of Genoa
and about 20 km northwest of La Spezia
. The town is on the coast at the end of a valley, thickly wooded with olive and pine trees. The ridges on either side of the valley thrust out into the sea as the headlands of Mesco and Levanto. The municipality forms part of the coastal district known as the Comunità Montana della Riviera Spezzina, and part of its territory is included in the Cinque Terre National Park.
Levanto first became the feudal stronghold of the Malaspina, before passing to the Da Passano and then, in 1229, to the Republic of Genoa
. In the Middle Ages, the village became a centre of commercial activity, benefiting from maritime and overland communications, the most important of the latter being the via Francigena
. In the post-Medieval period, the village saw major development with the construction of the Borgo Nuovo or Stagno on the plain of the Ghiararo. This survives today and is characterised by interesting 17th and 18th century buildings. A further phase of urban development took place at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries with the opening of two thoroughfares, the present Corso Italia and Corso Roma. From 1950, the village experienced further growth culminating during the 1970s in the present townscape.
Comune
In Italy, the comune is the basic administrative division, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality.-Importance and function:...
(municipality) in the province of La Spezia
Province of La Spezia
The Province of La Spezia is a province in the Liguria region of Italy. Its capital is the city of La Spezia.It has an area of 881 km², and a total population of 223,606 inhabitants...
in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
region Liguria
Liguria
Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. Its capital is Genoa. It is a popular region with tourists for its beautiful beaches, picturesque little towns, and good food.-Geography:...
, located about 60 km southeast of Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
and about 20 km northwest of La Spezia
La Spezia
La Spezia , at the head of the Gulf of La Spezia in the Liguria region of northern Italy, is the capital city of the province of La Spezia. Located between Genoa and Pisa on the Ligurian Sea, it is one of the main Italian military and commercial harbours and hosts one of Italy's biggest military...
. The town is on the coast at the end of a valley, thickly wooded with olive and pine trees. The ridges on either side of the valley thrust out into the sea as the headlands of Mesco and Levanto. The municipality forms part of the coastal district known as the Comunità Montana della Riviera Spezzina, and part of its territory is included in the Cinque Terre National Park.
History
In Roman times there was already a small settlement by the name of Ceula on the hills. This constituted an important nodal point due to its location. At the beginning of the 9th century, the bell tower of the present church, the Chiesa di San Siro, served as a watchtower and as a defence against dangers from the sea. From the 13th century, however, the importance of the area began to decline – this to the advantage of Levanto itself, which was expanding by the sea.Levanto first became the feudal stronghold of the Malaspina, before passing to the Da Passano and then, in 1229, to the Republic of Genoa
Republic of Genoa
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
. In the Middle Ages, the village became a centre of commercial activity, benefiting from maritime and overland communications, the most important of the latter being the via Francigena
Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is an ancient road between Rome and Canterbury, passing through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. In mediaeval times it was an important road and pilgrimage route...
. In the post-Medieval period, the village saw major development with the construction of the Borgo Nuovo or Stagno on the plain of the Ghiararo. This survives today and is characterised by interesting 17th and 18th century buildings. A further phase of urban development took place at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries with the opening of two thoroughfares, the present Corso Italia and Corso Roma. From 1950, the village experienced further growth culminating during the 1970s in the present townscape.
Main sights
- Medieval castle, built to defend the village and still in a state of perfect conservation.
- church of Sant'Andrea (Church of Saint Andrew). An example of 13th century Ligurian Gothic style with its façade decorated in black and white bands, and a magnificent rose window surmounting the main door. The chalice of emperor Henry VIII is one of its treasures, and displayed only on special occasions such as the festival of the patron saint.
- Church of Santa Maria della Costa (Church of Saint Mary of the Coast)
- Villa Agnelli. Its gardens were landscaped at the beginning of the 20th century.
- Piazza della Loggia, characterized by a 13th century loggiaLoggiaLoggia is the name given to an architectural feature, originally of Minoan design. They are often a gallery or corridor at ground level, sometimes higher, on the facade of a building and open to the air on one side, where it is supported by columns or pierced openings in the wall...
, which in 2007 received from UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
the title of "monument being evidence of culture and peace". - Piazza Cavour, in earlier times the inner courtyard of the Monastero delle Ordine di Santa Chiara (Monastery of the Order of St Claire). The town hall, the public library and other municipal offices are accommodated under its portico.
Festivals
- Festa di San Giacomo (Feast of St James) and Festa del Mare (Festival of the Sea). 24 - 25 July.
- Festa di Nostra Signora della Guardia Traditional band concert. 29 August.
- Sagra del Gattafin (fried pastry stuffed with beets, onions, egg and grated cheese) in June.
- Festa Madonna del Soccorso 1-2 July in Fontona (a little village near Levanto)