Ne, Liguria

Ne
—  Comune  —
Comune di Ne
Ancient bridge connecting the burghs of Nascio and Cassagna.
Ne Location of Ne in Italy
Coordinates: 44°21′N 9°24′E / 44.35°N 9.4°E / 44.35; 9.4
Country	Italy
Region	Liguria
Province	Genoa (GE)
Frazioni	Arzeno, Caminata, Castagnola, Chiesanuova, Conscenti (communal seat), Frisolino, Graveglia, Nascio, Ne, Piandifieno, Pontori, Reppia, Sambuceto, Santa Lucia, Statale, Zerli
Government
– Mayor	Cesare Pesce
Area
– Total	64.1 km2 (24.7 sq mi)
Elevation	68 m (223 ft)
Population (31 December 2007)[1]
– Total	2,323
– Density	36.2/km2 (93.9/sq mi)
Demonym	Neesi
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
– Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	16040
Dialing code	0185
Patron saint	San Lorenzo
Saint day	August 10
Website	Official website

Ne is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Genoa in the Italian region Liguria, located in the Val Graveglia about 40 km east of Genoa. Formed by several distinct burghs, or frazioni, Ne is known for its natural and historical attractions.

History

Ne stands for Nae, meaning "ship", and refers to the shape of Monte Zatta, the highest mountain of the area (1404 m). It adjoins the valley of Graveglia , the ancient realm of Garibald, the king of the Lombards who fled from Lombardy in 673.^[2]

The family of the founder of the modern, united Italian state, Giuseppe Garibaldi, originated in the nearby valley of Graveglia. A monument to Garibaldi is located in Conscenti, one of Ne's sixteen frazione, or hamlets^[2], and the comune's seat of government. Most of these frazione originated as castles built during and after the tenth century as defenses against Saracen raids.

Main sights

Ne's landscape is naturally partitioned by the bottom of the Graveglia valley, the Graveglia river, and the high pastures and woods.^[2]

Natural attractions of note include:^[2]

• Views of Mount Chiappozzo, Mount Porcile, and the Biscia Pass.
• The thousand-year-old oak tree of Gosita, in the frazione Zerli.
• A network of high-altitude paths, pedestrian and carriage roads for trekking and mountain biking, which afford striking views of the southern part of the Aveto Natural Regional Park.
• The caves of Tana di Cà Freghé.
• Geological formations known as "the pillows".
• The Gambatesa Mine, the largest manganese mine in Europe, which is visitable via tram.

Other attractions include:^[2]

• Traces of pre-Roman settlements at Statale.
• Cassagna, a medieval stone village reachable on foot through the Ponte Cambiaso, a bridge built in 1766 on top of a 50 m precipice.

References

1. ^ All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Villa Paola - Nascio, http://www.villapaola-nascio.it/index.php?section=home&lang=en, retrieved 10 July 2009 

External links

• Official website