Imperia

{{Other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Infobox Italian comune | name = Imperia | official_name = Città di Imperia | native_name = {{native name|lij|Inpêia}} | image_skyline = Porto Maurizio Imperia, Ligurien.jpg | imagesize = | image_alt = |image_flag=Bandiera di Imperia.svg| image_caption = Panorama of Imperia | image_shield = Coat of Arms of Imperia.svg | shield_alt = | image_map = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | coordinates = {{coord|43|53|N|8|2|E|region:IT_type:city(41252)|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_footnotes = | region = {{RegioneIT|sigla=LIG}} | province = {{ProvinciaIT (short form)|sigla=IM}} (IM) | frazioni = Artallo, Borgo d'Oneglia, Cantalupo, Caramagna, Castelvecchio, Clavi, Costa d'Oneglia, Massabovi, Moltedo, Montegrazie, Oliveto, Piani, Poggi, Sant'Agata | mayor_party = | mayor = [[Claudio Scajola]] | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 45.95 | population_footnotes = | population_total = 42328 | population_as_of = 31 August 2017 | pop_density_footnotes = | population_demonym = Imperiesi | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 10 | twin1 = | twin1_country = |istat=| saint = [[Leonard of Port Maurice]], [[John the Baptist|Saint John]] (Oneglia) | day = 26 November | postal_code = 18100 | area_code = 0183 | website = {{official website|http://www.comune.imperia.it/}} | footnotes = }}

'''Imperia''' ({{IPA|it|imˈpɛːrja|pron|It-Imperia.ogg}}; {{langx|lij|Inpêia}} {{IPA|lij|iŋˈpeːja|}} or {{lang|lij|Inpéria}}) is a coastal city and ''[[comune]]'' in the [[Regions of Italy|region]] of [[Liguria]], Italy. It is the capital of the [[Province of Imperia]], and historically it was capital of the ''Intemelia'' district of [[Liguria]]. [[Benito Mussolini]] created the city of Imperia on 21 October 1923 by combining Porto Maurizio and [[Oneglia]], as well as the surrounding village communes of Piani, Caramagna Ligure, Castelvecchio di Santa Maria Maggiore, Borgo Sant'Agata, Costa d'Oneglia, Poggi, Torrazza, Moltedo and Montegrazie.

Imperia is well known for the [[floriculture|cultivation of flowers]] and [[olive]]s, and is a popular summer destination for visitors. The local Piscina Felice Cascione indoor pool has hosted numerous national and international [[Aquatic sports|aquatics]] events.

== History == [[File:Porto inizio '800 (Fleury).jpg|thumb|left|A representation of Porto Maurizio in the early 1800s]] The name of Oneglia may have its roots in the pre-Roman settlement of ''Pagus Unelia'', on the hill of Castelvecchio, which was probably one of the ''sex oppida'' of the [[Liguri]]. This spawned ''Ripa Uneliae'', a village down on the coast probably on the site of the modern-day ''Borgo Peri''. Modern Oneglia became established on its modern site around 935AD, possibly after it was destroyed by the [[Saracens]]; in 1100 it became a [[fief]] of the [[Diocese of Albenga]]. In 1298 Oneglia became part of the fiefdom of the [[Doria (family)|Doria]] family of Genoa; the famous admiral [[Andrea Doria]] (1466–1560) was born in the town. The Dorias sold the town to [[Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy]] in 1576, and Oneglia essentially remained a Savoyard enclave in the [[Republic of Genoa]] until Italian unification. Nonetheless, it was on the front line in the wars of the House of Savoy; it was seized in 1614 and 1649 by the Spaniards and in 1623 and 1672 by the Genoese.<ref name=EB1911>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Porto Maurizio |volume=22 |pages=123–124}}</ref> In 1692 it had to repulse an attack by a French squadron; in 1744–45 it was again occupied by the Spaniards, and in 1792 bombarded and burned by the French.<ref name=EB1911/>

Porto Maurizio was a Roman settlement, ''Portus Maurici'', which, though named in the brief maritime itinerary appended to the [[Antonine Itinerary]],<ref>Noted in William Smith, ''A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography'', vol 2 1873:187, ''s.v.'' "Liguria"</ref> must be an interpolation in manuscripts of that third century document, since it is named after [[Saint Maurice]], leader of the [[Theban Legion]] who were not martyred until 286 and could not have been memorialized until the Christianized Empire of the fourth century.<ref>"Portus Maurici, dessen Name auf christliche Zeitalter hindeutet" (Konrad Mannert, ''Geographie der Griechen und Römen aus Ihren Schriften'', Volume 9, Part 1 Book 3, 1823:276); Domenico Anfossi, ''De sacrarum reliquiarum cultu'' (1610) suggests a deformation of ''Maurorum Portus'' in a passage quoted extensively in Giuseppe Figari, ''Saggi cronologici della città del Porto-Maurizio'' 1810:13.</ref> It became a Byzantine port after the Gothic Wars of the 6th century, then passed to the [[Order of Saint Benedict]]. It was subject to the [[March of Turin|counts of Turin]] in the 11th century, and then to the marchesi of [[Clavesana]]. Boniface of Clavesana sold the town to the [[Republic of Genoa]] in 1288<ref>An earlier notice in the continuator of [[Caffaro di Rustico da Caschifellone|Caffaro's]] ''[[Annals of Genoa]]'', under the year 1204 and other years, is mentioned in Peter Wesseling's notices of the Antonine Itinerary, ''Vetera Romanorum itineraria, sive Antonini Augusti itinerarium'' (Amsterdam 1735:502) ''s.v.'' "Portus Maurici".</ref> in return for a yearly payment,<ref name=EB1911/> as part of Genoa's expansion into western Liguria. In 1354 it became the seat of the Genoese vicar of the western Riviera.<ref name=EB1911/> The town prospered even though control of Genoa passed between the French, the [[Duchy of Milan]], and the Spanish. During the Napoleonic Wars Napoleon Bonaparte himself stopped for a night in Porto Maurizio and spent the night on the Parrasio on the third floor of Palazzo Lavagna. At the [[Congress of Vienna]] in 1815, it was awarded to the [[Kingdom of Sardinia]], before finally joining a united Italy in 1861.

Mussolini created the city of Imperia on 21 October 1923 by the union of Porto Maurizio and Oneglia and the surrounding village communes of Piani, Caramagna Ligure, Castelvecchio di Santa Maria Maggiore, Borgo Sant'Agata, Costa d'Oneglia, Poggi, Torrazza, Moltedo and Montegrazie.

==Economy== The economy of Imperia is based on tourism, food industry (olive oil and pasta), a specialized agriculture (olive groves and flowers in greenhouses) and on trading and harbour activities. The seaside tourism represents an important aspect of the economy of Imperia.

== Geography ==

Imperia consists of the two historical districts of Porto Maurizio and [[Oneglia]], which lie on either side of the River [[Impero (river)|Impero]] that gives its name to the city.

Porto Maurizio is situated on a peninsula to the west of the river, stretching along the coastline. It is the wealthiest and most colorful district of the city, threaded by narrow lanes known as ''carrugi'', and its economy centers on the tourist industry. It was a possession of [[Genoa]] from the 13th century.

Oneglia (''Inéja'' in Ligurian) lies on an alluvial plain to the east of the Impero, and with its working port is the most modern and industrialized of the two districts. At its centre lies Dante Square, from which radiate some of the main roads of the city.

===Climate=== Imperia experiences a [[Mediterranean climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Csa'').

{{Weather box|width=auto |metric first=y |single line=y |collapsed = Y |location = Imperia (1981–2010) |Jan high C = 12.8 |Feb high C = 12.8 |Mar high C = 14.7 |Apr high C = 16.6 |May high C = 20.5 |Jun high C = 23.8 |Jul high C = 26.7 |Aug high C = 27.2 |Sep high C = 24.2 |Oct high C = 20.6 |Nov high C = 16.3 |Dec high C = 13.8 | year high C = |Jan mean C = 10.1 |Feb mean C = 9.9 |Mar mean C = 11.9 |Apr mean C = 13.9 |May mean C = 17.7 |Jun mean C = 20.9 |Jul mean C = 23.8 |Aug mean C = 24.3 |Sep mean C = 21.2 |Oct mean C = 17.9 |Nov mean C = 13.6 |Dec mean C = 11.2 | year mean C = |Jan low C = 7.4 |Feb low C = 7.2 |Mar low C = 9.1 |Apr low C = 11.1 |May low C = 14.8 |Jun low C = 18.0 |Jul low C = 20.8 |Aug low C = 21.3 |Sep low C = 18.3 |Oct low C = 15.2 |Nov low C = 10.9 |Dec low C = 8.6 | year low C = |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation mm = 83 |Feb precipitation mm = 91 |Mar precipitation mm = 85 |Apr precipitation mm = 63 |May precipitation mm = 50 |Jun precipitation mm = 32 |Jul precipitation mm = 14 |Aug precipitation mm = 31 |Sep precipitation mm = 54 |Oct precipitation mm = 86 |Nov precipitation mm = 119 |Dec precipitation mm = 88 |year precipitation mm = |unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm | Jan precipitation days = 6 | Feb precipitation days = 5 | Mar precipitation days = 6 | Apr precipitation days = 5 | May precipitation days = 6 | Jun precipitation days = 4 | Jul precipitation days = 2 | Aug precipitation days = 3 | Sep precipitation days = 4 | Oct precipitation days = 6 | Nov precipitation days = 8 | Dec precipitation days = 5 | year precipitation days = |source 1 = Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (precipitation 1951–1980)<ref name = ISPRA>{{cite web | url = https://www.isprambiente.gov.it/files/pubblicazioni/SA_55_14_Valori_climatici_normali.pdf | title = Valori climatici normali di temperatura e precipitazione in Italia | publisher=Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale | access-date = 26 November 2024}}</ref> | source 2 = Climi e viaggi (precipitation days)<ref name=Clim>{{cite web | url = https://www.climieviaggi.it/clima/italia/imperia | title = Clima - Imperia (Liguria) | publisher= Climi e viaggi | access-date = 26 November 2024}}</ref> }}

==Notable sights==

===Porto Maurizio=== {{wide image|Imperia (Ligurien) mit Porto Maurizio und Oneglia rechts.jpg|1500px|View of Porto Maurizio from the harbour of westernmost [[Oneglia]]}} [[File:Imperia Porto Maurizio.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Porto Maurizio]] [[File:Duomo San Maurizio-2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Cathedral San Maurizio]] * ''Cathedral of San Maurizio'', built between 1781 and 1832 by Gaetano Canton, the largest church in Liguria<ref>[https://www.parrocchiasanmaurizio.it]</ref> * Old Town, called ''Parasio'' * Convent of ''Santa Chiara'', first established in 1365, the existing structure dates from 1741 * There is a small Naval Museum in the town

===Oneglia=== [[File:Villa Grock.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Villa Grock]]]] * ''Museo dell' Olivo'' (''The Museum of the Olive'') * ''[[Villa Grock]]'', built for the clown Grock (1880–1959) * Church of ''San Giovanni Battista'', built in 1739–62. * Calata Giovanni Battista Cuneo, a historic quay lined with restaurants * The historic Palazzo Municipale in Piazza Danta.

===Montegrazie=== *Church of ''Santa Maria Maggiore'' *Shrine of ''[[Nostra Signora delle Grazie]]''

==Transport== [[File:Imperia-Oneglia - autostrada A10 - viadotto Oliveto 1º.jpg|thumb|[[Autostrada A10 (Italy)|''Autostrada dei Fiori'' (A10)]], crossing the valley above Oneglia]] Imperia is served by the [[Autostrada A10 (Italy)|Autostrada A10]] motorway, also known as ''L'Autostrada dei Fiori'' which runs along the Ligurian coast between [[Genoa]] and [[Ventimiglia]] on the French border. The road crosses the city via a series of high viaducts and mountain tunnels over the valley. Two junctions serve the city, one in the west close to Porto Maurizio, and another in the east above Oneglia. The A10 also forms part of [[European route E80]].

Bus services across the Province of Imperia are operated by the public transport body [[Riviera Trasporti]] (RT).<ref>{{cite web|title=Profilo e storia della Riviera Trasporti|url=http://www.rivieratrasporti.it/AboutRT.asp|access-date=1 October 2014|language=IT|archive-date=4 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704172600/http://rivieratrasporti.it/AboutRT.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Genoa–Ventimiglia railway]] line runs through Imperia: the city is served by a central [[Imperia railway station]], on a double-track route opened on 11 December 2016,<ref>{{cite web|title=Treni, iniziata l'era del raddoppio Andora-San Lorenzo|url=http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/imperia/2016/12/11/ASCSLSVF-lorenzo_iniziata_raddoppio.shtml|access-date=12 December 2016|language=IT|archive-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214004011/http://www.ilsecoloxix.it/p/imperia/2016/12/11/ASCSLSVF-lorenzo_iniziata_raddoppio.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> replacing the old narrow coastal route confined by the sea and long tunnels under the rocky coastline, and therefore built as a [[Single track (rail)|single-track railway]]. The old route was originally built in 1872 and closed with the opening of the new inland route; the city was served by two railway stations serving the two centres of Imperia, {{rws|Imperia Porto Maurizio}} and [[Imperia Oneglia railway station]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Whitehouse|first1=Rosie|title=Liguria : the Bradt travel guide|date=2013|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|location=Chalfont St. Peter|isbn=9781841624730|pages=194–196|edition=1st}}</ref>

{{wide image|File:Genoa–Ventimiglia railway Imperia map.jpg|500px|Old and new lines of the Genoa–Ventimiglia railway}}

==Famous residents== Natives of Imperia: * [[Gaetano Amadeo]] (1824–1893), organist and composer * [[Edmondo de Amicis]] (1846–1908), writer and journalist * [[Carlo Amoretti]] (1741–1816), ecclesiastic and writer * [[Maria Pellegrina Amoretti|Maria Amoretti]] (1756–1787), lawyer * [[Pellegrino Amoretti]],<ref name=EB1911/> assistant secretary to [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]] * [[Domingo Belgrano]] (1730–1795), politician * [[Luciano Berio]] (1925–2003), composer * [[Andrea Doria]] (1466–1560), statesman and admiral * [[Renato Dulbecco]] (1914–2012), Italian–American virologist and [[Nobel Prize]] winner * [[Luca Fiuzzi]] (1984), football player * [[Leonard of Port Maurice|Saint Leonard of Port Maurice]] * [[Triora#Francesco Moraldo from Creppo|Francesco Moraldo]], "Creppo di [[Triora]]" (1906–2001), [[Righteous Among the Nations]] in 1999 * [[Alessandro Natta]] (1918–2001), politician * [[Giulio Natta]] (1903–1979), chemist and [[Nobel Prize]] winner in 1963 * [[Giovan Pietro Vieusseux]] (1779–1863), writer and publisher [[:it:Giovan Pietro Vieusseux]]

Others: * [[Grock]] (1880–1959), entertainer

==International relations== {{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy}}

===Twin towns – Sister cities=== Imperia is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with: * {{flagicon|GER}} [[Friedrichshafen]], Germany *{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Rosario, Santa Fe|Rosario]], [[Argentina]]<ref name="Rosario twinnings">{{cite web |url=http://www.rosario.gov.ar/mr/mri/www/city-city-program/town-twinning-agreements |title=Town Twinning Agreements |publisher=Municipalidad de Rosario - Buenos Aires 711 |access-date=2014-10-14 |archive-date=19 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319103223/http://www.rosario.gov.ar/mr/mri/www/city-city-program/town-twinning-agreements |url-status=dead }}</ref> * {{flagicon|USA}} [[Newport, Rhode Island]], United States

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|position=left}} * [http://www.comune.imperia.it City of Imperia website] {{in lang|it}} * [http://www.provincia.imperia.it Province of Imperia website] {{in lang|it}} * [http://www.imperiamare.it/imperiamare/index-e.htm Imperia Mare Association website] {{in lang|it|en|fr}} * [http://www.museodellolivo.com/eng/index.htm Museo dell' Olivo website] {{in lang|it|en|de|fr}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Province of Imperia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Imperia}} [[Category:Imperia| ]] [[Category:Coastal towns in Liguria]] [[Category:Municipalities of the Province of Imperia]] [[Category:Italian Riviera]]