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Cicagna is a pleasant resort located along the two sides of the Lavagna torrent, which is united by the ancient Fieschi and Vittoria bridges.
Its history began in the 12th century with the formation of Parish baptismal churches built on rural districts. Among the 28 Parish Churches that make up the Genoese Diocesan there was the Parish Church of Cicagna, which is the small capital of the Fontanabuona Valley. In the past it was called Plocania, Plicania, Chicaglia, and finally Cicagna. It is during this period that the town begins to take on a precise aspect that was favored by the flat area and by the commercial flow that penetrated form the coast towards the Po Valley. In fact this is the famous road of salt and wheat.
For many years the stove and bread industry was the main source of income for the families of Cicagna as well as the weaving and spinning of linen, cotton, and silk which was extremely important in the 12th century. In fact, these materials were brought from Genoa and Chiavari and they were spun by women. Agricultural has always been of great importance and for many it represented the only way to earn a living. However, one year of “failure” was enough to turn the people into beggars especially if the chestnut season went bad. Famous is the 1817 famine, which was remembered as the “year of the lentils” in Cicagna because the people would only eat grass just like the animals. In 1847 there was another famine and this is an important date because it marked the beginning of immigration towards America, especially California , because at the end of 1848 there was the famous “Gold Rush.”
Another important activity is the extraction and working of slate. Cicagna has many quarries and artisan and industrial workshops that specialize in the extraction, working, and exportation of slate worldwide. As for the artistic patrimony there are many external and internal frescos, which characterize the entire town of Cicagna. Of extreme importance is the “Casa Cavagnari,” which is now the home of the Communità Montana Fontanabuona, which was built in the 19th century and it is adjacent a park for children. Cicagna is proud of its Civic “R. Leveroni” Library (the only one in the valley) and it also has a photographic archive. Also very interesting is the chestnut feast which is celebrated in October and the feast of the Madonna dei Miracoli which is celebrated on September 15 – 16 –17.
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