Villanova D'albenga: History, Churches and Violet Tradition

If you are looking for hotels in Villanova D'albenga, the town’s history and cultural themes offer concrete pointers for choosing your destination. The history of the fortified town dates back to the 13th century; church art, violet cultivation and local dishes add other historical and cultural dimensions. The Ippodromo dei Fiori also adds its own specialisation in horse racing to the picture.

Town History and Church Art

The decision to establish Villanova as a fortified town was made on 7 December 1250. It falls within the longer period in which fortified settlements were founded between 1250 and 1288. The town’s history thus brings together a precisely dated decision and a period spanning several decades: the decision marks the choice, while the creation of fortified settlements belongs to a broader timeframe.

On the edge of the oldest settlement stands the Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista, which remains the seat of the confraternity of the same name. Its wall paintings include two cycles with different subjects and dates. The older one depicts the Virgin Mary with the Child and a series of saints, and dates from the 14th century. The second cycle depicts scenes from the Passion and dates from the late 15th to the early 16th century. The oratory also houses two wooden sculptures from the 16th century: the Madonna della Misericordia and a crucifix.

The Chiesa di Santo Stefano di Cavatorio was built before the fortified town was founded and preserves traces of its earlier Romanesque structure. Its façade features a portico built in the 15th century, incorporating reused marble elements. The medieval bell tower has single- and double-arched openings, with a central column topped by a bracket capital. The church thus brings together different architectural features: traces of an earlier Romanesque structure, the later portico and the bell tower’s design.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria del Soccorso is also known as La Rotonda. Its distinctive cylindrical shape explains the name. The church lies near the historic centre, on the road to Garlenda. A tomb inscription set into the wall gives 1520 as the start of its construction. The parish church of San Bernardo in the hamlet of Ligo also preserves several Cartelami in good condition.

Local Cuisine and Violet Tradition

The local dish “a ventre” is prepared on Good Friday according to an old recipe using the stomach of the tuna. The recipe was passed down by the Tonnarotti, men who once worked at the tuna fisheries in Sardinia. Among the characteristic sweet treats are baci e sorriso with violet flavour. The two culinary themes have different emphases: “a ventre” centres on Good Friday and the transmission of the recipe, while baci e sorriso highlights violet flavour.

The connection with violets extends beyond the sweet treats to the history of cultivation. Violet cultivation was introduced in Villanova in the 1880s. The plants came from Ollioulles-Var in France; seasonal emigrants from Villanova brought them back after learning the cultivation technique there. The Genoa–Ventimiglia railway line was completed at the end of 1873. Once it was completed, violet production gained access not only to the domestic market but also to markets in Northern Europe. The connection with violets can therefore be understood through both cultivation and trade, and the flavour of the local sweet treats.

Racecourse and Location

The Ippodromo dei Fiori racecourse is 1,000 metres long; this measurement is taken one metre from the inner track boundary. The Ippodromo dei Fiori in Villanova D'albenga specialises in harness racing and flat racing. Clemente Panero Airport is also located in Villanova D'albenga.

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