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Many
legends have grown up around the origins of Alassio, a renowned seaside
resort on the Western Riviera: one of them links it with the name of
Adelasia, the daughter of Otto I, who is supposed to have taken refuge
with her husband, Aleramo, on the banks of the large bay between Capo Mele
and Capo Santa Croce. The first inhabitants came down to the sea from the
high regions in mediaeval times. It belonged to the Gallinara Benedictines
and then became a municipality of Albenga until gradually falling under
Genoese influence.
The impressive defence system started to be built in the sixteenth
century. In the old town you will notice some ancient noble residences,
such as the Palazzo dei Marchesi di Ferrero and the Palazzi of Brea,
Morteo and Scofferi. The railway station is built in turn-of-the-century
style and has Art Nouveau decor and furnishings.
The parish church of Sant'Ambrogio was built in the fifteenth century on
the site of a tenth-century building. It preserves many valuable works
such as paintings by Giovanni Andrea De Ferrari and Bernardo Castello. The
church of the Santissima Annunziata in the district of Solva dates from
1382 but was rebuilt a century later: it has some interesting fresco work
depicting the seven deadly sins and hell. The sanctuary of Maria
Santissima on Monte Tirasso was built in the thirteenth century and was
later given the name of the sanctuary of the Madonna della Guardia. It is
a traditional place of devotion of sailors and contains many votary
objects related to life at sea.
The "muretto" in Alassio is famous for the end-of-summer beauty
contest; the paving stones on the seafront promenade are signed by famous
people from the world of sport and show business.
Alassio beach stretches for a distance of 3700 metres. The sand is
composed of quartz, silicates and chalk and is of a very fine consistency.
One rare feature of this seaside resort is that the water remains very
shallow for a long way out.
There are many excellent local sports facilities: the sports centre,
swimming pool, minigolf, tennis, the five horse-racing tracks and many
other attractions. The leisure port can berth up to 400 boats. The
surrounding area is of interest from both a historical and natural point
of view: you can follow the ancient Via Julia Augusta, visit the old
districts of Santa Croce and Solva, and follow the 25 well-marked pathways
up to the higher areas. The typical sweet specialities of Alassio are
called "baci" and "biscette".
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