Ameglia

History

Ameglia and its territory have an ancient history, that dates back to the 4th century BC, and that displays a maintained importance over the centuries. A necropolis was found in this place and the objects and furnishings discovered reveal that the place was an important transportation center both towards the sea and the nearby mountain passes. It was an important center and port in the Roman era. Traces of this period can be seen in the remains of a Roman maritime villa near the current seaside hamlet of Bocca di Magra.

It was, however, in the early Middle Ages that Ameglia reached its apex of political and economic importance. In 963, it was mentioned for the first time in an imperial document of Otto I, where the castrum de Ameliae is mentioned as a possession of the Diocese of Luni. Ameglia was chosen by the diocese as an episcopal residence, its walls fortified and reinforced, during the 11th century.

In 1141, part of the fief was purchased by Genoa, which held it until 1252 when it entered into the possession of Nicolò Fieschi, count of Lavagna. Occupied for a brief period by Oberto Doria and Oberto Spinola, possession of Ameglia returned, by 1284, to the bishops of Luni. Throughout the 13th century, construction of the defensive walls, the port, and the tower of the local castle continued.

In 1314, according to Boccaccio in his Epistola di frate Ilaro, Dante Alighieri was probably present near the monastery of Santa Croce del Corvo in Bocca di Magra.

In 1321, Ameglia was conquered by the Lucchesi condottiero Castruccio Castracani, bringing the territory under the rule of Lucca. After his death in 1328, the medieval citadel passed under the influence of different lords and local families, including the Doria, Visconti, and Fregoso. Genoa would reacquire the feudal rights by 1380.

Over the next century, control over Ameglia changed hands several times until reaching a certain stability with a definitive acquisition by the Republic of Genoa, in the second half of the 16th century. Ameglia was placed under the captaincy of Lerici. …

Main sights

Castle of Ameglia, a stronghold of the bishops of Luni, rebuilt in 1174. Later it was owned by Sarzana, Genoa, Castruccio Castracani, the Visconti and the Bank of Saint George.

Monastery of Santa Croce del Corvo, founded in 1176.

Pre-Roman necropolis at Cafaggio, and archaeological remains of the Roman coastal road

Orto Botanico di Montemarcello

The Comune of Ameglia includes the frazioni of Montemarcello, Bocca di Magra, and Fiumaretta.