Albenga

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = albenga-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Albenga
name=Albenga
region = Liguria
province = Savona (SV)
elevation_m = 5
area_total_km2 =36.51
population_as_of = December 12, 2005
population_total =23588
population_density_km2 = 646
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|44|03|N|8|13|E
mapx=44.15|mapy=8.22
name=Albenga
frazioni =Bastia d'Albenga, Campochiesa, Leca, Lusignano, Salea, San Fedele, San Giorgio, Vadino
telephone = 0182
postalcode = 17031
gentilic = Ingauni or Albenganesi
saint =St. Michael Archangel
day = september 29
mayor = Antonello Tabbò
website = [http://www.comune.albenga.sv.it www.comune.albenga.sv.it]


image_caption=Cathedral of St. Michael Archangel

Albenga is a city situated on the Gulf of Genoa on the Italian Riviera in the Province of Savona in Liguria, northern Italy. The economy is mostly based on tourism, local commerce and agriculture

History

The city is of Celtic origins, the chief town of the Ligures, and flourished as the municipium of Albingaunum under the Roman Empire, owing to its position that offered access from the coast to the interior, and the Via Julia Augusta, the Roman coast road, opened in 13 BC. A measure of the agricultural prosperity of the region is that Proculus of Albingaunum (executed ca. 281 AD), was able to assemble and arm 2000 of his own slaves from his latifundia to oppose the Emperor Probus during the Crisis of the third century.

From the mid-5th century Albenga was the seat of a bishopric. Its early Christian baptistery, perhaps dating to the 5th century, is now ten feet below modern street level. Alluvial deposits washed down by the torrential Centa have gradually buried the southern section of Roman Albingaunum and its port.

Albenga has a well-preserved historic center, retaining the Roman plan of its grid planning and surrounded by its ancient walls. It still retains four of its medieval tower houses and other houses built to the Roman plan round a courtyard.

Albenga's fortunes declined with the rise of Genoa, but it is again prospering as a center for tourism and agriculture.

Main sights

*Cathedral of St. Michael Archangel
*Palaeo-Christian Baptistery (5th century). It include an ancient polychrome mosaic.
*"Palazzo Peloso Cipolla" (16th century)
*Municipal towers, including the "Torre del Municipio", "Torre del Vecchio Comune "(seat of the Ingaunian Town Museum) and "Torre Costa".
*Roman Amphitheatre (2nd-3rd centuries AD).
*Necropolis, on the Via Iulia Augusta.
*Roman baths

Twin towns

*flagicon|HUN Dabas, Hungary

External links

* [http://www.comune.albenga.sv.it/ Official site] it icon
* [http://www.rivieraligure.it/IT/citta.aspx?citta=albenga&c=5 Albenga in Riviera Ligure] it icon
* [http://www.diocesialbengaimperia.it/ Diocese of Albenga-Imperia] it icon
* [http://www.albenga5.org/ Scout Group AGESCI Albenga 5] it icon