Varazze

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = varazze-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Varazze
name = Varazze
region = Liguria
province = Savona (SV)
elevation_m = 5
area_total_km2 = 48.0
population_as_of = Dec. 2004 All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.]
population_total = 13855
population_density_km2 = 289
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|44|22|N|8|35|E|type:city(13,855)_region:IT
frazioni = Alpicella, Cantalupo, Casanova, Castagnabuona, Deserto, Faje, Invrea, Pero
telephone = 019
postalcode = 17019
gentilic = Varazzini
saint = St. Catherine of Siena
day = april 30
mayor = Antonio Ghigliazza
website = [http://www.comune.varazze.sv.it www.comune.varazze.sv.it]
mapy = 8.5833
mapx = 44.3667

Varazze is a "comune" (municipality) in the Province of Savona in the Italian region Liguria, located about 30 km west of Genoa and about 11 km northeast of Savona. Varazze borders the following municipalities: Celle Ligure, Cogoleto, Sassello, and Stella.

Economy is mostly based on shipyards and tourism.

History

The burgh grew around the former Roman station named "Ad Navalia". In the Middle Ages Varazze was disputed between Savona and Genoa, due to its notable ships production. In 1227 it became an independent commune but, after a short seigniory of the Malocello, it was sold to the Republic of Genoa in 1290.

In 1525 Hugo of Moncada, admiral of emperor Charles V, was defeated here in a naval battle and taken prisoner. Varazze followed the history of Genoa until it was captured by French troops in 1798. In 1815 it became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia and, from 1861, of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy.

Main sights

*Romanesque church of "San Nazario e Celso" (rebuilt in the 16th century). The façade is from 1870.
*Church of "San Domenico" (1419). It includes Sienese school frescoes and a 16th century polyptych. Notable is the cloister.
*Church of "Sant'Ambrogio". It has a Romanesque façade and a campanile in Gothic-Romanesque style with three orders of mullioned windows. In the interior are a polyptych by Giovanni Barbagelata and a panel by Luca Cambiaso with the "Madonna and Sts. John the Baptist and Francis".
*Church of "Santa Maria in Latronorio", in the "frazione" Invrea. A pointed portal remains of the original 12th century edifice. The interior is home to a large 13th century fresco.
*Remains of the medieval walls

Notable Varazzini

People from Varazze include:
* Jacobus de Varagine (c. 1230–1298), Italian chronicler, archbishop of Genoa and author of the Golden Legend.
* Francesco Cilea (1866-1950), opera composer, lived the last years of his life in Varazze, where he was Honorary Citizen.
* Sandro Pertini (1896–1990), socialist politician and President of the Italian Republic.
* Lelio Basso (1903–1978), anti-fascist, politician and journalist.
* Raimondo Spiazzi OP (1918-2002) theologian, advisor to Pius XII and mariologist, lived the last years of his life in Varazze.

Demographic evolution

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References

External links

* [http://www.comune.varazze.sv.it Official website]