Ventimiglia Uncovered: A Coastal Town Where History Meets Modernity
Ventimiglia, a Ligurian town in the province of Imperia, combines an ancient and tranquil soul with a young and cheerful disposition, lover of the sea and entertainment, divided by the placid flow of the Roia river. In fact, before the Roia runs into the pristine waters of the Ligurian Sea, it divides the city in two and serves as a mirror for the medieval buildings on the hilltop to its right and the modern ones on the opposite bank.
Ventimiglia, a town of 26,000 people, is born from the merging of the two halves, and its population grows throughout the summer, thanks to the rich historical heritage it preserves, but most importantly, to the stunning views of the coast.
Ventimiglia’s Must-See Attractions
Wander through Ventimiglia’s old town on foot to experience the leisurely charm of this little jewel, the penultimate Italian city before French territory. The Cathedral of the Assumption, built in the 12th century on the site of an ancient pagan temple and custodian of valuable works of art, stands out among the most fascinating religious buildings, as does the small church of San Michele, built around 1100 and immediately modified in the following century until it reached its current discreet elegance.
The Gerolamo Rossi Archaeological Museum
Those who are not satisfied with capturing the memory of the medieval age in the city streets and want to go even further back in time and learn about the most ancient events in local history will enjoy the Gerolamo Rossi Archaeological Museum. The museum preserves the materials discovered during the excavations of the Roman “Albintimilium,” as well as archaeological finds from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, which include a vast number of sculptures, antique objects of daily life, and funeral items.
Hidden Wonders of the Balzi Rossi Caves
The Caverne dei Balzi Rossi, an evocative symbol of a thousand years of history, guards ancient mysteries along the coastline length of Grimaldi. This Paleolithic site, one of Europe’s most important, captivates the imagination with its archaeological remains and rock walls that tell enthralling stories from the distant past.
Archaeologists discovered the remnants of prehistoric burials of Cro-Magnon men and animals belonging to now extinct species in the caverns, which are named after the distinctive red hue of the rocks. The Prehistoric Museum, located next to the caverns, is a wonderful destination that displays archeological finds and realistic reconstructions, allowing visitors to thoroughly immerse themselves in our predecessors’ world.
The Botanical Gardens of Villa Hanbury
Finally, the Botanical Gardens of Villa Hanbury, established in the nineteenth century on the orders of a noble English nobleman, are worth visiting. He was responsible for planting the first exotic types of plants in the park, which is now managed by the University of Genoa and kept lush and friendly to tourists.
Events, festivals, and fun things to do
Ventimiglia organizes a variety of events and popular gatherings throughout the year, which add to the city’s joyful and casual ambiance.
Flowers dominate this city and the “Riviera dei Fiori,” where residents adore and maintain them with great care. Flowers and plants add brilliant hues to the winter landscape as they decorate a themed fair in February.
Battle of Flowers
On the second Sunday of June, the famed “Battle of Flowers” takes place, in which artistically decorated floats decked with the most precious floral species compete with one another and the passionate crowd using carnation missiles. For the event, a collection of enormous floats decked with the most magnificent floral species battled with each other and the audience with carnation blows.
For those who enjoy the delights of delicious food, the San Secondo Fair, which takes place at the end of August, has medieval roots. In addition to toys and souvenirs, the festival’s innumerable kiosks sell the area’s traditional delicacies.
What is the best time of the year to visit Ventimiglia?
In a place of holidays and flowers, the temperature could only be moderate and pleasant, with typical Mediterranean characteristics. The hot summers peak in July and August, when average temperatures range from a low of 18°C to a high of 27°C, while January is the coldest month, with values ranging from 4°C to 13°C.
The rains are most concentrated between October and January, with an average of nine wet days per month. In contrast, July is the driest, with only three days of inclement weather.
Getting there
Those visiting from afar can fly to Genoa Airport, which is served by numerous flights from major European cities and is 157 kilometers from Ventimiglia. Those traveling by car from France, particularly from the Nice area, will reach Ventimiglia via the A8 motorway; from Cuneo, take the S.S. 20 Cuneo-Limone-Ventimiglia; from Turin, take the A6 and A10 Turin-Savona-Ventimiglia; and finally, from Genoa, take the A10 Genoa-Savona-Ventimiglia.