Cesio in Italy | Province of Imperia, Liguria
Visit the small town of Cesio during your stay in Liguria, Italy.
Cesio
Cesio is a historical village which stands in harmony with nature
The inhabitants of the village show their historical walls and agricultural activities
Travel tips
The St. Lucia Parish Church is located centrally in the historic center of town. It is built in the late baroque style and keeps paintings and artistic works from the 16th and 17th century.
Furthermore, there is an oratorio of John the Baptist in the historical center of town, and the Church of St. Benedict with its clock tower also stands in the same area.
In every corner of the village one can admire the old historical walls, stroll through historical streets and admire the local buildings typical of this region. Besides, the local inhabitants of the village like showing off their agricultural activities which are famous beyond the region.
Sports enthusiasts too will find Cesio an ideal holiday destination. Apart from having extensive walks, there are also hiking and mountain-bike paths. Many natural sites are ideal for passing time and they depict the typical Italian landscape.
History
Cesio is first mentioned in written records in the 12th century. The region around Cesio once belonged to the bishop of Albenga Diocese. In the 13th century the village became a fiefdom of the Count of Ventimiglia who then built a series of castles and deference systems on the hills in this area. These were meant to act as watch towers and defensive facilities. Cesio was one of the founding members of Pieve di Teco in 1233. In 1301 the village was sold to Federico Doria for 1600 pounds.
Doria’s rule lasted until 1576, after which Cesio was ceded to Duke Emmanuele Filberto and was integrated into his duchy. Bloody battles were fought during the Napoleonic wars in Italy, for instance around 1800, when Austria and France fought for the region around Cesio. Cesio was absorbed into the Italian kingdom, and from 1973 to 2011 Cesio was a member of the mountain municipality of Olive and Valle Arroscia.
How to reach
Cesio belongs to the municipality of the Colle di San Bartolomeo and is one of the villages in the province of Imperia which lies in the Liguria region. There are several other villages in Cesio, for example: Caravonica (7.3 km), Costa (9.9 km) und Siglioli (8.1 km). From the highway exit to Imperia Est, turn right into the SS28 towards Torino and drive past Pontedassio and Caravonica and then you will arrive in Cesio.
