Albenga

Albenga is a commune in Savona Province with a fortified core where narrow lanes wind around a central square. Brick walls encircle the historic center, which extends inland from the coast and is bounded by a riverbed.

The settlement began in the 4th century BC as a trading post for Ligurian tribes by the sea. It became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC and grew into a harbor city with a regular street plan.

The name comes from a time when Ligurian tribes farmed the land. Today visitors notice the many red brick arches and slender towers rising above low houses.

The center lies roughly half a mile (about one kilometer) from the train station and is reachable on foot in a few minutes. The entrance through the old city gate leads directly to the main lanes, where shops and small eateries line up.

The fifth century produced a baptistry with ten exterior sides and eight interior sides, which still houses an ancient font and early Christian mosaics from the sixth century. The unusual geometry makes it a rare example of early Christian building craft in northern Italy.

Location: Province of Savona

Elevation above the sea: 5 m

Shares border with: Alassio, Arnasco, Ceriale, Cisano sul Neva, Ortovero, Villanova d'Albenga

Website: https://comune.albenga.sv.it

GPS coordinates: 44.04925,8.21312

Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:33