Sanremo is the capital town of the Italian Riviera of Flowers in Liguria. Its climate has been widely appreciated since the 1800's, but its artistic heritage, permeated by that typically Ligurian shyness, which escapes from any focus of attention, is still largely unknown. As a matter of fact, its views are extremely suggestive and its architecture and landscape make of this strip of land expanding up to the French boundary a real pearl of Italy.
In the ancient eras it was called Matuzia, to remind one of Caio Matuzio's patrician palaces, built on the West side of the city, or, as a popular legend tells, as a memorial to the Matuta Goddess, God of the Sea and Dawn. Famous princes, literates, and scientists came to Sanremo to enjoy the deep blue sea and the intense scent of its flowers.
Sanremo lies in a wide inlet between Capo Nero and Capo Verde. It is a place where ends meet. Its old town is called La Pigna and is characterised by perched houses, steep streets, covered alleys and little squares, just a glimpse of the Medieval times.
The modern town turned a village of fishermen into an elegant, world-wide famous seaside resort. Nowadays Sanremo welcomes tourists and visitors all year round and entertains them with shows and numberless amusements. Sanremo is famous for its Casino which was built in 1905 and is the undisputed realm of green cloth, roulette, and slot machines lovers.
Several selected shows are held in Sanremo every year. The Italian Song Festival is but a clear example.
Sanremo is the town of art, culture, and sports: fishing, diving, canoeing, wind surfing, and motor boating - together with golfing, riding, swimming, baseball, and fitness facilities.
Sanremo is also called the Town of Flowers - its flowers are well-known all over the world - and this can be clearly seen in its luxuriant gardens, its colourful flowerbeds, and in the town parks where tropical plants flourish.
How can we forget Sanremo? When you get to know it, you cannot really forget about it. Our suggestion is to explore Sanremo in its most secret places, bit by bit, and do take your time...