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Pigna (IM)

Pigna
Comune
Comune di Pigna
Pigna
Pigna
Pigna is located in Italy
Pigna
Pigna
Location of Pigna in Italy
Coordinates: 43°56′N 7°40′E / 43.933°N 7.667°E / 43.933; 7.667Coordinates: 43°56′N 7°40′E / 43.933°N 7.667°E / 43.933; 7.667
Country Italy
Region Liguria
Province / Metropolitan city Province of Imperia (IM)
Frazioni Buggio
Area
 • Total 53.7 km2 (20.7 sq mi)
Elevation 280 m (920 ft)
Population (Dec. 2004)
 • Total 933
 • Density 17/km2 (45/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Pignaschi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 18037
Dialing code 0184

Pigna is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria, located about 110 kilometres (68 mi) southwest of Genoa and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) west of Imperia, on the border with France. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 933 and an area of 53.7 square kilometres (20.7 sq mi).

The municipality of Pigna contains the frazione (subdivision) Buggio.

Pigna borders the following municipalities: Apricale, Castelvittorio, Isolabona, Rocchetta Nervina, Saorge (France), and Triora.

In the southernmost district of North West Italy, where the mountains meet the sea, in a region called Liguria, can be found the valley Nervia. The valley moves up from the sea roughly north. and as it rises, you go on a journey through history, taking in the many villages dotted along the river as it runs down to the shore, one of the most important of which, not least for its historical past and a wealth of artistic treasures, is Pigna, named for the coniferous forests that once surrounded the village in abundance.

The ancient village clings to the slopes of the valley mimicking the shape of the pine cones that give it its name. Situated beneath the Little Dolomites, it is near Monte Torraggio, which rises to 1,973 metres (6,473 ft) above sea level.

Archaeological remains, found in the Countryside surrounding Pigna, have unearthed Prehistoric evidence of human settlements in the area since about 60,000 years ago.

In fact, its current location and form is not original. In the 10th century the village was located closer to the valley floor around the church of San Tommaso but the position was too vulnerable and the politics surrounding the town too volatile, so the location father up the hill was chosen for a new settlement.

In the 13h century, before 1258, the village belonged to the nobility of the coastal town of Ventimiglia found at the mouth of the valley, but later in that year it yielded to the town Anjou of Provence. Soon after, the war between the Guelph's of Provence and Ghibellines of Genoa was raging in the valley, with Pigna on the side of the Guelph's (owing to its relationship with Provence) against the Doria of Dolceaqua (on the side of the Ghibelline's). In 1365 an historic peace was signed between the two factions at Pigna's Lago Pigo Bridge, next to Pigna’s sulpha thermal springs, which became the dividing line between the territories of Provenza and the republic of Genoa.


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