According
to the history books, Italy had four maritime republic, but, in fact there
were more: Noli is one of the lesser-known examples. This beautiful village,
overlooked by steep Mount Ursino which provided Dante with inpiration
for the Purgatorio, enjoyed six centuries of maritime glory and political
independence from 1202 to 1797.Noli'ts origins are lost in the mists of
time, its name is Greek in origin (Neapolis, new city, then Nauli in the
early Middle Ages) and it may have fought the Carthaginans alongside the
romans; what we know for certain about Noli is that between the 6th and
7th centuries a baptistery and parish church stood on the side of the
charming Medieval Church of San Paragorio.
In the town of Noli, surrounded by three city
walls and dominated by the ruins of the 11th century castle, the influence
of Genoese architecture is palpaple: of 72 towers-cum-dwellings which
stood in the 12th century, only 8 remain today, including the 33 meters
high Noli Communal Tower which is still intact.
A walk through the ancient borgo of Noli starts
from the frescoed Porta Piazza overlooking the sea, taking in the nearby
Palazzo del Comune and the tall 13th Communal Tower. Via Colombo, the
town's main thoroughfare, is lined with beautiful 13th and 14ht century
houses. Piazzetta Morando is exceptional for its strikingly tall Canto
Tower, built on a trapezoidal plan and its views of the castle and walls
which run down from the hill top. From here towards the hills, Via Colombo
runs through Borgo San Giovanni which ends at the 14th century gate of
that same name.
