Provinces of Liguria: Imperia
The town, whose present administration dates to 1923, comprises two distinct urban centres, Porto Maurizio and Oneglia, separated by the mouth of the Impero torrent which gave its name to the town itself.
Historically, Porto Maurizio, already active as a port in Roman and Byzantine times, is the older. From the thirteenth century, it was federated to Genoa, later sharing the fortunes of the Republic. Oneglia is of medieval origin; after a period of Episcopal rule, it passed to Genoa in 1298, but in 1576, was ceded to the Savoys who made it, together with Nice, their outlet to the sea. From then on, it was to share the vicissitudes of the Savoy Kingdom.
The Monuments include: Collegiata di San Giovanni Battista (Baroque collegiate church at Oneglia); at Porto Maurizio, Basilica di San Maurizio (neo-classical, 18th century); Convento delle Clarisse (18th century convent); Chiesa di San Pietro (church, 16th-18th century); Palazzo Pagliari (15th century); Chiesa dei Cavalieri di Malta (church of the Knights of Malta, 14th century).
As far as the economy is concerned, the town has a traditional and markedly active food sector, with oil mills (partly supplied by local olive production), pasta factories and flour mills. Port activity and fishing are limited, but there is considerable tourist traffic.
Events: `Città di Imperia' painting award (August-September), international chess tournament, sailing regattas, Sagra di San Lorenzo (10th August).
Famous People: Edmondo de Amicis (writer, 1846-1908), Andrea Doria (military leader, 1468-1560), Gregorio de Ferrari (artist, c. 1644-1726).
Cultural Institutions: Teatro Cavour (theatre-Porto Maurizio), Pinacoteca Civica (civic art gallery), Museo Navale del Ponente Ligure (naval museum).
In the Province: Numerous internationally famous beach resorts: Sanremo (floriculture, Pinacoteca Ramboldi, art gallery-, Museo archeologico-archeological museum), Bordighera (Museo Bicknell-museum-, Istituto Internazionale di Studi Liguri-International institute of Ligurian studies), Diano Marina, Ventimiglia (Giardini Hambury-gardens-, Museo dei Balzi Rossi-prehistory museum), Ospedaletti. Inland: Pigna (Festival della Poesia Dialettale-poetry in dialect-in August), Monesi (winter sports), Pieve di Teco (environmental interest), Pontedassio (Museo Storico degli Spaghetti-spaghetti museum).
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