Celle Ligure

Celle: a very pleasant bathing resort
Located in a sheltered bay of the West Riviera between the headlands "Punta dell'Olmo" and "Punta della Madonnetta", Celle Ligure is a very pleasant bathing resort which stretches along a beautiful sandy beach surrounded by low green hills lush with pine trees, vineyards and olive trees.
It is said that the name "Celle" derives from the old word "Cellae" used to describe huts or warehouses for boats and fishing tools which have today been replaced by neat rows of brightly coloured bathing huts.
The village is especially charming because it has retained the appearance of the old fishing village virtually unchhanged with the rows of small terraced houses painted in different pastel colours to allow the fishermen to distinguish their own house from a distance when they were at sea.
In the village the signs of the traditional activities such as fishing, coral fishing and fishing nets production are still clearly visible.
Nearby to the old historical centre, a modern and tourist-orientated area has been developed which offers a range of sports facilities (athletics, football, water sports, tennis and minigolf). Recently, the two parts of the beach have been joined by an enchanting promenade over one kilometre long which is adorned with greenery and flowers.
The history of Celle is similar to that of the neighbouring villages. First a domination of the Clavesana family (12 th.c.) it then fell under the control of the Marchesi Bosco and Banzone, passed under the domination of the Doria and Malocelli families as a consequence of intermarriage and remained under the protection of Genoa until 1414.
Celle then enjoyed a short period of independence as a free municipality but became a part of the Varazze Podesta's jurisdiction after 1528, when it fell again under the domination of Genoa.
The 17th-century church of St. Michael was built on a preexisting 12th-century structure of which only the cusped bell tower remains; the interior, which has a nave and two aisles, is decorated with late 17th-century frescoes, sculptures by Maragliano, one polyptych by Perin del Vaga (1535) and 17th-century paintings by Domenico Fiasella, Domenico Piola and G.B. Carbone while a 15 th-century tablet is preserved in the sacristy. A sculpture by Maragliano and one Crucified by Navone (18th-c.) are preserved in the nearby Oratory of the Disciplinant.
In the East part of the village there is the church of Our Lady of Consolation which was built by the Augustinian in the 15th-century. The facade was copletely rebuilt in the Neoromanesque style whereas the interior was modified and made into a single nave in 1725.
Pleasant walks on the sorrounding hills are possible towards Sanda (church of St. George with 17th-century paintings) and towards Pecorile where the 15th-century house of the Pope Sisto IV della Rovere, who was a native of this village, may be visited. The house is a typical example of the fortress-houses with look-out towers which used to be built as a defence against the attacks of the Berber pirates.
In the area of Piani, a long and wide sandy beach adds a special touch to this popular tourist resort which offers a variety of hotels and gardens. Artistic ceramics by Lucio Fontana may be admired on the facade of the church of Piani.
Equally charming is the old Via Romana (the old Aurelian Way) which starts from via alla Costa, crosses via Crocetta and stretches down to via Trentun.
Excursionists can also enjoy an enchanting panoramic view.
Other popular destinations for those who like the peace of nature are the Bottini Park and the pine-wood of the Natta (which also hosts one of the best sport facilities of Liguria).
Specialities: the Lumassina wine.