Page 141 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

THE RIVIER A DI PONENTE  139

of amphibian – Salamandrina
terdigitata and Triturus vulgaris
meridionalis – have also been
seen here, at their westernmost
limit. From the southern slopes
visitors can also see migratory
birds in spring.
The park headquarters is in
Sassello, a pretty town on the
park’s western fringes.

3 Albisola The remains of an Imperial-era Roman villa at Albisola Superiore
Superiore statues inside were carved by 4 Albissola Marina
Maragliano and Schiaffino.
Savona. Road Map C3. * 12,000. V Savona. Road Map C3. * 5,600.
@ n IAT Albissola Marina, Piazza A 17th-century oratory V @ n IAT Albissola Marina,
Lam, Albissola Marina, 019 400 25 25. stands alongside. Piazza Lam, 019 400 25 25.
∑ turismoinliguria.it Within a large park, adorned _ Mostre Nazionali di Ceramica
with fountains and statuary, d’Arte (biennial, next in 2018).
Known to the Romans as Alba stands Villa Gavotti, built in ∑ turismoinliguria.it
Docilia, Albisola consists, in fact, 1739–53 for the last doge of
of two parts: Albissola Marina, Genoa, Francesco Maria I Della Separated from Albisola
on the coast, and Albisola Rovere, and replacing a 15th- Superiore since 1615, this
Superiore, a short way inland. century building. The sumptuous coastal town is also known as
The different spelling of Albisola interior contains local ceramics Borgo Basso (or “lower town”).
perhaps indicates the towns’ and stuccoes by the Lombard Like its neighbour, Albissola
wish to reinforce their separation, School. The villa is home to the Marina has prospered histori-
but since the 15th century they Museo della Ceramica Manlio cally due to its ceramics industry,
have both enjoyed fame Trucco, which is devoted to but it is also now a well-known
for their ceramics, made ceramics from the 16th seaside resort.
from the local clay, cen tury onwards. Of interest in the old town
and typically deco- Displays include is the Forte di Sant’Antonio,
rated in blue work by artists from known as the Castello, built in
and white. Albisola and else- 1563 against a Saracen invasion,
Albisola’s ancient where in Liguria, as and Piazza della Concordia,
heritage can be well as the tools of attractively paved with con cen tric
seen in traces of a their trade. circles of black and white pebbles,
vast Roman villa, in front of the parish church.
occupied from the 1st Ceramic plate E Museo della The unmissable sight is the
to 5th centuries AD. from Albisola Ceramica Manlio handsome 18th-century Villa
The parish church of San Trucco Faraggiana (named after its
Nicolò was reconstructed in 1600 Corso Ferrari 193. Tel 019 48 22 95. last owner, who gave it to the
in the shadow of the castle, now Open 8:30am–12:30pm Wed–Fri, town in 1961), formerly Palazzo
in ruins. The Baroque wooden 8:30am–12:30pm, 5:30–7:30pm Sat. Durazzo. The lavishly furnished
interior includes some lovely
local majolica tiles, while the
delightful gardens feature
grottoes and statuary, including
nymphs and sculptures of the
god Bacchus and goddess Diana.
On Lungomare degli
Artisti, the mosaic paving
dating from 1963 was created
with works by contemporary
painters and sculptors, among
them the artists Lucio Fontana
and Aligi Sassu.

E Villa Faraggiana
Via Salomoni 117–119. Tel 019 480
622. Open 15 Mar–15 Oct: 3–7pm
daily. Closed occasional Sat & Sun
for private functions. &
The 18th-century Villa Faraggiana at Albissola Marina ∑ villafaraggiana.it

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