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How to get there: exit at Bordighera (Highway A10 Ge-Ventimiglia).
Continue towards Sasso and you will come across Seborga. The town of Sasso is a romantic destination for the English of the “Bella époque” (Beautiful epoch). It is easily distinguishable due to the various colored flowers, olive, lemon, and orange trees. From Sasso go up the hill and while admiring the fantastic scenery you will come across a Stop of a watchtower that will take you take back in time.
The “Principality of Seborga” is about 14 kilometers and it surrounded by Mount Caggio that faces the sea. An Administrative error or deed not registered makes experts believe that the Principality of Seborga doesn’t belong to the Italian territory.
Its place-name derives from the 400 A.D. “Castrum Sepolcrii” and there is also a 4 bastion castle where the Catari would bury their priests. It was a feud of the Counts of Ventimiglia and thanks to a blessing that Count Guido received it was then given to the Benedictine Monks of Lerino in 954.
Consecrated Principality in 1079 it remained the only Cistercian State until January 20, 1729, when Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy bought the land. This is where the enigma begins…the act was never registered, therefore Seborga never became part of the Republic of Genoa after the 1748 treaty of Aquisgrana nor part of the Sardinia Kingdom after the Vienna Congress.
In 1861 the annexation to the Italian Kingdom was never discussed and the Principality continued until 1946 due to the “Nullis Diocesis.” The actual Prince Giorgio I struggled until the right was recognized, however, it also must respect the laws of the Italian Republic.
On December 24, 1666 the Monks of Lerino founded a Zecca to mint money and today, Giorgio I reopened the Zecca where money is minted legally. The “Luigino” is the actual currency and it is equal to 6 dollars in U.S.A. currency.
The historical center dates back to the year 1000 and it is of great prestige.
Very beautiful is the Piazza and very interesting is the Parish church of St. Martino that has an artistic canvas of the Virgin with Baby Jesus by the Spanish School as well as a precious 1500 silver chalice.
Among Palazzos, mills, bridges, and coat of arms there exists also the fantasy of an urban tissue that could be saved. For this there is no need for a magic wand. The Prince’s promise???
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