Lavagna | |
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— Comune — | |
Città di Lavagna | |
Lavagna
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Coordinates: | |
Country | Italy |
Region | Liguria |
Province | Genoa (GE) |
Frazioni | Barassi, Cavi di Lavagna, Santa Giulia di Centaura, Sorlana |
Government | |
• Mayor | Giuliano Vaccarezza |
Area | |
• Total | 13.7 km2 (5.3 sq mi) |
Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
Population (31 December 2008)[1] | |
• Total | 13,084 |
• Density | 955/km2 (2,473.5/sq mi) |
Demonym | Lavagnesi |
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
• Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Postal code | 16033 |
Dialing code | 0185 |
Patron saint | Madonna del Carmine |
Saint day | July 16 |
Website | Official website |
Lavagna is a fishing port city of c. 13,000 inhabitants in the curving stretch of the Italian Riviera di Levante called the gulf of Tigullio, in the province of Genoa in Liguria. The borgo of Lavagna was an important Ligurian cultural center in the Middle Ages. Today its long straight beach is packed with August tourists.
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Lavagna developed in Roman times as Lavania. According to some historians, it was seat of a countship since Carolingian times. From 1198 it was a fief of the Fieschi family, who used Lavagna as their stronghold in the numerous inner struggles of the Republic of Genoa.
In 1564 it was sacked by the African pirate Dragut. From 1815 it was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and, later, of the Kingdom of Italy.
The city recreates neo-medieval festivities annually as the "Torta dei Fieschi", which has been recreating (since 1949) the festivities that surrounded the wedding in 1230 of Opizzo Fieschi, Conte di Lavagna, older brother of Sinibaldo, future Pope Innocent IV, with the Sienese patrician Bianca de' Bianchi. A colorful cortege through the streets reunites the inhabitants of the six medieval quarters (sestieri) of Lavagna, as the gigantic cake is distributed among those in the crowd who have found the matching half of their tickets.
The characteristic shale that provides roofing "slates" in Liguria was traditionally quarried in the Capenardo and S. Giacomo mountains nearby.
The porcelain tile Lavagna Nera or Bianco is 30x60. It can be used on the floor and wall.