Noli

Noli (; ) is a coast comune of Liguria, Italy, in the Province of Savona, it is about southwest of Genoa by rail, about above sea-level. The origin of the name may come from Neapolis, meaning "new city" in Greek.

It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy"). From 1192 to 1797 Noli was one of the maritime republics, the Republic of Noli.

Geography

The bounding communes of Noli are Finale Ligure, Spotorno and Vezzi Portio.

History

The name Noli, testified in the form Naboli in the oldest documents (between 1004 and 1005), certainly derives from a form of which means "new city" in Byzantine Greek (same etymology as for Naples).

It may be mentioned as Neapolis by 7th century geographer George of Cyprus.

The Republic of Noli was an independent republic from 1193 until 1797. In 1239 a diocese of Noli was established, which was to endure till its amalgamation with that of Savona as the Diocese of Savona-Noli in 1986. The Napoleonic invasion in 1797 put an end to Noli's sovereignty.

Main sights

• Romanesque basilica of S. Paragorio (11th century)
• Household and annexed Tower (14th-15th century)
• San Paragorio (5th–6th century)
• Tower and Gate Papone (13th-14th centuries)
• Tower of Four Sides.
• Nemo's Garden (Noli)

Twin towns — sister cities

Noli is twinned with:

• Langenargen, Germany (2005)

Personalities

• António de Noli, Italian nobleman and explorer, discoverer of some Guinea territories and Cape Verde islands on behalf of the Portuguese crown. Born in Genoa 1419, "family with origins in Noli or the Castle of Noli".

References

External links

• Photographs of Noli