A journey 1,500 years back in time, in just a few kilometres.
Albenga preserves some of the most important Early Christian remains in Liguria. In the heart of the historic centre, next to the Cathedral of San Michele, stands the Early Christian Baptistery, built in the 5th century. Its entrance is now below street level, as it retains the level of the ancient Roman city. Inside are the baptismal font and a precious 6th-century mosaic, rich in Christian symbolism.
Not far away, along the Centa River, lie the remains of the Church of San Clemente, built over structures that once belonged to the ancient Roman baths. Continuing north, you reach the remains of the Early Christian Basilica of San Vittore, also dating from the 5th century. Elements from the Roman period were reused here: in the apse, for example, a Roman funerary stone was used as a support for the altar.
Walking through these places means tracing the transformation of Roman Albingaunum into Christian Albenga. After the Visigothic sack of 402, the city was rebuilt during the 5th century, and it was in this period that some of the religious buildings which still tell the story of the transition from the Roman world to the Middle Ages were created.
The route can continue to Pontelungo, one of the cityโs most unusual landmarks. The medieval bridge is around 150 metres long and is now almost completely buried. The Centa once flowed beneath its arches; after the river changed course during the Middle Ages, the bridge was left on dry land. Today, you can still walk across it and discover a structure that tells the story of another important chapter in Albengaโs history.
The Route
- The route starts at the Early Christian Baptistery, next to Piazza San Michele.
- Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena is a small medieval village perfectly integrated into the mountain landscape. Its stone houses follow the slope and cluster around the hill beneath the castle, while narrow lanes, arches, stairways and covered passages weave through the historic centre.
- Continue towards Viale Pontelungo until you reach the remains of the Early Christian Basilica of San Vittore.
- Continue along the avenue to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pontelungo and the ancient Pontelungo, which can be explored on foot.
- From Pontelungo, return towards the historic centre and the Baptistery, completing the loop.
๐ Open the route map
