Ceriale

Ceriale (Ligurian: O Çejâ) is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Savona in the Italian region of Liguria, located about southwest of Genoa and about southwest of Savona. As of December 31, 2004, it had a population of 5,765 and an area of .^[1]

The municipality of Ceriale contains the frazione (subdivision) Peagna.

Ceriale borders the following municipalities: Albenga, Balestrino, Borghetto Santo Spirito, Cisano sul Neva, and Toirano.

Description

The town is located in the Riviera of Ponente, east of the plain of Albenga, on the slopes of Mount Croce, elevation 541 metres (1,775 ft).

• Seismic classification: Zone 3 (low seismicity), Decree No. PCM 3274 of 20/03/2003.
• Climate classification: C (Grades days of the city are 1360, and the maximum limit allowed for the ignition of the heaters is 10 hours a day, from November 15 to March 31).

History

The village, an already ancient territorial dominion of the bishop of Albenga, passed in the 14th century to the Government of the Republic of Genoa. During the Middle Ages the nearby village of Capriolo was abandoned, according to local sources, as a result of an invasion of ants. Following the frequent incursions of the pirates Saracens on the Ligurian coast, a circular bastion was built adjacent to the beach in 1563, but, although the structure was adjacent to the sea, the town was attacked by Barbary pirates in 1637. The village suffered a damaging and looting, and the homes burned. Along with other towns of the Ligurian Riviera, in 1764 Ceriale participated in an uprising against Genoa and its Republic, against the heavy tax burdens. It therefore became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1815, with the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte; and, in 1861, of the Kingdom of Italy. From 1973 until 31 December 2008 Ceriale was part of Ingauna Mountain Community, which was terminated by the Liguria Regional Law Number 23, 29 December 2010.

Main sights

Position of Ceriale in the Province of Savona

The Via Aurelia

Religious architecture

• Parish Church of Saints John the Baptist and Eugene: Inside the church, there is a valuable 16th century crucifix and also numerous blades dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Church of Peagna: Adjacent to the cemetery is flanked by a tower built in the style Baroque and are stored in its internal paintings of the 15th and 16th centuries.

Amusement parks

• Water Park: The Caravelle

Culture

Museums

• The Paleontological Museum Silvio Lai: It was founded in 1993 in the hamlet of Peagna. The museum exhibits the collection of municipal fossil from the nearby Regional Natural Reserve of Rio Torsero, dating back to Pliocene lower (5.3000000 to 3.6000000 of years ago). The museum has a conference room, a laboratory and a small library.

Events

• The feast of San Rocco: On 16 August, Ceriale celebrate Saint Rocco, patron saint, on this day is held on the promenade the "Fair of San Rocco" which involved walking the area and the lower Piedmont. The feast of San Rocco is particularly renowned for the evening procession of the Holy Crucifix art. To participate in this procession of the Confraternity of Liguria that parade their crucifix, exposed during the years in their parish churches. Every crucifix, while being very heavy, is carried on one shoulder by a brother who supports him with a special belt. The procession, as a rule, is opened by the Bishop of Albenga-Imperia and is closed by a band. The day ends with fireworks over the sea.

Demographic evolution

Immigration

• Demographic Statistics

International relations

Twin towns—sister cities

Ceriale is twinned with:

• Sucha Beskidzka, Poland^[2]

Economy

The town bases its main economic resource in the touristic field, but also on the agriculture. In the area of cultivation are practiced vegetable and flower, in particular plants orchid grown in greenhouses. Active sector also industry with the presence of shipyards and factories confectionery.

Gallery

• 

  The Turret

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  The Church of Saints John the Baptist and Eugene

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  The Town Hall

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  The Caruggio

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  The Beach

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  The Pontile

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  The War Memorial

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  A little square in the promenade

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  Seafront Pietro Ascoli

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  The Railway road

References

External links

• www.comune.ceriale.sv.it

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ceriale.