LEVANTO (ITALY)

'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 contains the ''frazioni'' (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) of Lizza, Lavaggiorosso, Dosso, Groppo, Montale, Vignana, Lerici, Pastine, Chiesanuova, Fontona, Legnaro, Fossato, and Ridarolo. Levanto borders the following municipalities: Bonassola, Borghetto di Vara, Carrodano, Framura, Monterosso al Mare, Pignone. Part of Levanto lies within the Cinque Terre National Park. The town itself is a famous surfing resort.

Contents

History

Castles

Religious Architecture

Villas

Squares

Culture

Festivals

Demographic evolution

References

External links

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. 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.

Castles

'Medieval castle'. Built to defend the village and still in a state of perfect conservation.

Religious Architecture

'Chiesa di 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 Enrico 8 (Henry 8th) is one of its treasures, and displayed only on special occasions such as the festival of the patron saint.
'Chiesa di Santa Maria della Costa' (Church of Saint Mary of the Coast)

Villas

'Villa Agnelli'.
This villa is situated on the village's most beautiful headland. Its exquisite gardens were landscaped at the beginning of the 20th century.

Squares

'Piazza della Loggia' - characterized by an 13th century loggia
'Piazza Cavour' - at one time 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

Culture

Permanent exhibition of cultural artifacts

Festivals

'Festa di San Giacomo' (Feast of St James) - 'Festa del Mare' (Festival of the Sea) 24 July - 25 July
'Festa di Nostra Signora della Guardia' Traditional band concert. 29 August.
'Sagra del Gattafin' (fried lamb stuffed with beets, onions, egg and grated cheese) in June.

Demographic evolution

As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 5,665 and an area of 38.0 km².^[1]

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References

1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

External links

★ www.comune.levanto.sp.it

★ http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levanto