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AREA:
5 sq km.
POPULATION:
348 HEIGHT
FROM SEA LEVEL (m): 500 WEB
SITE:
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Seborga
is known for the extravagance of its "Prince" Giorgio I,
proclaimed sovereign by the inhabitants in 1963: although this title is
not recognised by the Italian Republic, it has an ancient and illustrious
history. Seborga was part of the feudal estate of the Ventimiglia
aristocracy, who handed over the castle, the church of San Michele and
most of the surrounding territory to the Benedictines in 954 AD. The
principality of Seborga was created by the Holy Roman Empire in 1079 and
remained the only sovereign state supported by the Cistercians until 1729,
when it was bought by the Savoys. It was never part of the Republic of
Genoa or the Kingdom of Sardinia and enjoyed the privilege of "nullius
diocesis" conceded by the Congress of Vienna (1815) until 1946.
Some historians say that the abbots used the title of "Prince"
without having the right to do so; other historians, such as those of the
English school, credit Seborga with being the first constitutional
monarchy in history.
One thing that is undeniable is the beauty of the town, which is situated
on the hill dividing the Vallebuona valley and Borghetto San Nicoḷ from
the Rio Sasso valley and is surrounded by hillsides covered with flowers,
vineyards and olive groves. The panorama stretches as far as Menton and
Marseille.
Before visiting the principality you need to exchange your Italian Lire
for "luigini", which is the local currency (worth 6 US dollars).
Your visit begins at the parish church of San Martino, which preserves a
seventeenth-century wooden statue from the Spanish school and an engraved
silver chalice. You can continue by visiting the stone church of San
Bernardo, dedicated to the town's patron saint and built between the
twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Try to go for a walk in the hills when
the gorse and the well-known local variety of mimosa are in bloom. These
are exported all over the world. The road is ideal for mountain-biking and
continues as far as Passo del Bandito.
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