|
|
|
|
Campo Ligure is 342 meters high and it is located were the Stura Valley is well cultivated plus it’s one of the most prettiest towns of the entire valley. The actual place-name dates back to April 6, 1884, when a royal decree by Umberto I authorized him to change the name from Campofreddo to Campo Ligure.
The decree states that the “added part Freddo” was not a result of the corruption of the word “Fei”, which means “free” in Italian and it was inherited by the Austrian occupation in 1745. During this epoch the town council was an Imperial Feud, therefore as a consequence it was “free.” Campo Ligure has become a summer resort because it is settled within a natural basin that is surrounded by chestnut, oak, acacia, and copse trees. This lush area makes it enjoyable to take long summer walks under the shade. Furthermore, it is important to add that Campo Ligure has maintained its old features without being contaminated by tourists who enjoy its salubrious climate.
Campo Ligure’s economy is made up of small and medium industries that are specialized in woodwork, moulding, and mechanics. These industries have become the propeller of the entire valley. Its ancient industries that were specialized in iron works and textiles have been replaced throughout the years by more refined industries such as the Filigrana d’Oro e Argento (Gold and Silver Filigree), which has become the most important industry that has helped employment. The first workshops of this type were opened by two artisans who learned this art in Genoa. The two men that began this art are very famous and their names are Antonio Olivieri and Michele Bottaro. Many of the workers that were involved in the production of nails and textiles ended up embracing the opportunities offered by the new industry, therefore many workshops were established in this field. Today this artwork continues to develop and it is associated to the annual Mostra Nazionale di Gioiello in Filigrana d’Oro e d’Argento (National Exhibition of Jewels in Gold and Silver Filigree) and the “Centro di documentazione della Filigrana (Center of documentation on Filigree), which is the first museum of its kind to exist.
The museum has made Campo Ligure famous worldwide, however this is not the only interesting thing about Campo Ligure. Of great interest is also the Baroque SS. Sebastiano and Rocco Oratory. Inside there is a fragment of a fresco that portrays the Deposition that comes form a 15th century old hospital and the Parish, which was remade in 1765 contains the Addolorata by Gaudenzio Ferrari and the Martyr of St. Lucy by Bernardo Strozzi.
|
|
|
|
