Alassio tourist information
Many legends have grown up around the origins of Alassio, a renowned seaside resort on the Western Riviera: one of them links it with the name of Adelasia, the daughter of Otto I, who is supposed to have taken refuge with her husband, Aleramo, on the banks of the large bay between Capo Mele and Capo Santa Croce. The first inhabitants came down to the sea from the high regions in mediaeval times. It belonged to the Gallinara Benedictines and then became a municipality of Albenga until gradually falling under Genoese influence. The impressive defence system started to be built in the sixteenth century. In the old town you will notice some ancient noble residences, such as the Palazzo dei Marchesi di Ferrero and the Palazzi of Brea, Morteo and Scofferi. The railway station is built in turn-of-the-century style and has Art Nouveau decor and furnishings.
The parish church of Sant'Ambrogio was built in the fifteenth century on the site of a tenth-century building. It preserves many valuable works such as paintings by Giovanni Andrea De Ferrari and Bernardo Castello. The church of the Santissima Annunziata in the district of Solva dates from 1382 but was rebuilt a century later: it has some interesting fresco work depicting the seven deadly sins and hell. The sanctuary of Maria Santissima on Monte Tirasso was built in the thirteenth century and was later given the name of the sanctuary of the Madonna della Guardia. It is a traditional place of devotion of sailors and contains many votary objects related to life at sea.
The "muretto" in Alassio is famous for the end-of-summer beauty contest; the paving stones on the seafront promenade are signed by famous people from the world of sport and show business.
Alassio beach stretches for a distance of 3700 metres. The sand is composed of quartz, silicates and chalk and is of a very fine consistency. One rare feature of this seaside resort is that the water remains very shallow for a long way out.
There are many excellent local sports facilities: the sports centre, swimming pool, minigolf, tennis, the five horse-racing tracks and many other attractions. The leisure port can berth up to 400 boats. The surrounding area is of interest from both a historical and natural point of view: you can follow the ancient Via Julia Augusta, visit the old districts of Santa Croce and Solva, and follow the 25 well-marked pathways up to the higher areas. The typical sweet specialities of Alassio are called "baci" and "biscette".
Alassio aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Alassio aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Alassio.
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