Bed and breakfast accommodation in Imperia Monasteries

Imperia in Liguria was created in 1923, when Mussolini decreed that the towns on either side of the River Impero, Oneglia and Porto Maurizio, should become a single city. The district of Oneglia, with its working port and industrial area, lies to the east; west is the peninsula of Porto Maurizio, with its picturesque alleys, yacht harbour, stretches of sandy beaches, shops and restaurants. This old quarter is known as Parasio, and is dominated by the 18th-century Cattedrale di San Maurizio. There are several museums and galleries; head for the Museo dell’Olivo in Oneglia, that tells the story of one of Imperia’s major industries, the production of olive oil, or take in Porto Maurizio’s Museo Navale, focussing on all things maritime.

Today’s city has its roots in Roman Pagus Onelia, which was situated inland from modern Imperia. The modern city dates from the 10th century, it has thus always been a Christian settlement. There is a major shrine to the Holy Cross, dating from the 18th century, in the hills behind the city.