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How to get there: Highway A10 Genoa-Ventimiglia exit at Ventimiglia. Ventimiglia is the Western gate of Italy and it is located in a costal area marked by the Roia and Nervia Rivers.
On the adjacent territory of Balzi Rossi, the human settlements found are the oldest of the Mediterranean and the area developed magnificently during the Roman epoch. The Municipality was inhabited by Liguri Intemeli that were given the name Albium Intermelium and later Albintimilium.
After its prosperity the city underwent raids and destructions by the barbaric population and pirates.
In the Middle Ages it was a free government and then it was dominated by the Genovese and it was fortified by the Republic of Genoa. It became part of the new Italian State in 1861 and it underwent a last dismemberment in 1947 when Tenda e Briga were annexed to France.
The old city has beautiful medieval monuments such as the Cathedral, which highlights it Roman importance and it was built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Near the 11th century Baptistery there is a prestigious stone baptismal fountain.
The 15th century Loggia del Parlamento leads to the Aprosiana Library that was founded in 1648. The Romanic Church of St. Michele has a crypt built on a Roman column. Near the border there are the large caves of Balzi Rossi that are a cornerstone of the prehistoric Mediterranean.
After visiting the caves one must go to the Prehistoric Museum that displays archeological findings from the Paleolithic Age to the Roman epoch.
On the summit of Mortola there is the beautiful Villa Hambury that has breathtaking gardens as well as rich botanical gardens and this place is famous worldwide.
The manifestations of the well-known city are even more fascinating and dynamic thanks to its closeness to France.
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