Ameglia, Italian comune
Ameglia is a small town in the province of La Spezia on the Ligurian coast, perched on a hilltop surrounded by green hills and sea views. The settlement centers around a medieval castle on a rocky outcrop, with narrow winding streets climbing toward a cylindrical tower that overlooks the surrounding landscape and valleys.
The oldest settlement traces date to pre-Roman times, with archaeologists finding tombs and artifacts spanning over 2000 years at the Cafaggio necropolis. The castle first appears in written records in 963 under Emperor Otto I and subsequently served for centuries as a key regional defense point against threats from land and sea.
The town's layout reflects its medieval origins, with houses built in concentric circles around the castle for protection and community life. This pattern, still visible in the narrow winding streets today, reveals how residents organized their settlement around a common defensive center.
The town is easily accessible by car via the A12 highway with exits at Santo Stefano Magra or Sarzana, or by train to nearby stations in Sarzana or Carrara. The village itself is compact and walkable on foot, though comfortable shoes are recommended due to numerous stairs and steep narrow streets throughout the old quarter.
The Montemarcello convent houses a remarkable Romanesque crucifix known as the Black Christ, distinguished by its exceptional size and unusual face with Asian features. This singular representation makes it one of the most important religious sculptures in Italy and Europe.
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