Unlike many Italian cities with a thousand-year history, Imperia as a unified administrative unit appeared on the map relatively recently. The official founding date of the city is October 21, 1923. The city was formed by the merger of two ancient and historically rival communes—Oneglia and Porto Maurizio—which were joined by nine smaller settlements.
The new city was named after the small Impero river, which flows between the two main districts. The factors that influenced the development of this territory are rooted in deep antiquity:
Geographical Position: The territory is located on a strategically important section of the Ligurian coast. As far back as the Roman Empire, the famous road Via Julia Augusta passed through here, the remains of which are preserved to this day.
Political Division: Before the unification, the two parts of the city developed under the influence of different powers. Oneglia was loyal to the House of Savoy and Piedmont for a long time, while Porto Maurizio was within the orbit of the Republic of Genoa.
Even after the official creation of the city, Imperia preserved a unique duality that locals call "two souls":
Oneglia (the eastern part) developed as an industrial center. Located on flatter terrain, it was famous for olive oil production and the food industry.
Porto Maurizio (the western part), perched on a rocky promontory, preserved the structure of a medieval city with narrow winding streets and traditionally focused on maritime trade, fishing, and tourism.
Timeline
The history of Imperia is a chronicle of two independent centers that developed in parallel for centuries before becoming a single whole. Below are the key milestones that defined the character of the modern city.
13 BC — The Romans complete the construction of the Via Julia Augusta, which encouraged the emergence of the first settlements in this territory.
1298 — Oneglia passes into the possession of the famous Genoese Doria family, becoming their feudal domain and the birthplace of Admiral Andrea Doria.
1576 — Oneglia is sold to the House of Savoy, becoming the main port of Piedmont and receiving the status of "Most Faithful City" (Civitas Fidelissima).
17th–18th Centuries — Porto Maurizio experiences its golden age under the protectorate of the Republic of Genoa, actively developing maritime trade across the Mediterranean.
1815 — After the Congress of Vienna, both territories finally become part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, politically uniting under one crown.
1846 — A suspension bridge over the Impero river is opened, becoming the first reliable physical link between the two banks.
1923 — By royal decree on October 21, the city of Imperia is officially established through the merger of Porto Maurizio, Oneglia, and nine neighboring villages.
1932 — The new Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale) is formally opened, architecturally solidifying the city's administrative unity.
1945 — The city is liberated from occupation; for its merits in the Resistance movement, Imperia was later awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor.
1992 — Opening of the famous Olive Museum, highlighting the city's status as one of the capitals of olive oil production.
Early 21st Century — Large-scale reconstruction of the seafronts and the port has turned Imperia into one of the largest yachting centers in Liguria.
Milestones
Key Stages of Development and Their Impact
The development of Imperia is a unique example of how two cities, completely different in spirit, were able to create a shared economic and cultural landscape. The main milestones in the city's development are linked less to conquests and more to industrial successes and urban planning decisions that turned it into a jewel of Western Liguria.
Administrative Unification (1923)
The merger of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio became the major urban planning challenge of the 20th century.
Significance: This decision launched the process of creating a unified infrastructure. The construction of the monumental Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale) exactly halfway between the two districts became a symbol of overcoming centuries of rivalry and the beginning of joint planning for the future.
Industrialization of Olive Oil Production
Imperia, and specifically the Oneglia district, became the center for processing Taggiasca olives. The emergence of major family enterprises, such as Fratelli Carli, brought the local product to an international level.
Significance: The city secured its unofficial status as the "olive oil capital" of Italy, which ensured the economic stability of the region and shaped its gastronomic brand.
The Era of "Agnesi" Pasta
For a long time, the city hosted the oldest pasta factory, whose logo was a symbol of Oneglia. The proximity of the port allowed for the efficient import of grain and export of finished products.
Significance: This stimulated the development of port infrastructure and the railway, turning Imperia into an important industrial hub in Liguria that provided jobs for thousands of residents.
Becoming a Capital of Sailing
A shift from cargo shipping to elite tourism led to the modernization of the harbors and the organization of the prestigious Vele d'Epoca vintage yacht regatta.
Significance: This biennial event attracts the world's yachting elite, changing the city's image from industrial to aristocratic and tourist-oriented, particularly in the Porto Maurizio area.
Relocation of the Railway and Creation of the Cycle Path
In the early 21st century, the railway tracks that cut the city off from the sea were moved inland. In their place, the famous Pista Ciclabile (cycle path) was created.
Significance: This became the most ambitious urban transformation of recent decades. The city "reclaimed" its access to the sea, gained new public spaces, and received a powerful boost for the development of eco-tourism.
Architecture
An Architectural Portrait of the City
The architectural character of Imperia is a visual illustration of the history of two different worlds joined in one space. Looking at the city from the sea or from high vantage points, a clear contrast is visible: Porto Maurizio presents a vertical structure typical of medieval Ligurian "burgs," while Oneglia demonstrates more rigid "Piedmontese" urban planning with wide squares and straight streets.
Urban development did not expand in concentric circles as in many European cities, but linearly along the coast and up the hills, creating a multi-level landscape where styles change from one quarter to the next.
Key Eras and Styles
A journey through the streets of Imperia allows one to trace the evolution of Italian architecture from the Middle Ages to 20th-century Rationalism.
The Middle Ages: Ligurian Gothic and Defensive Architecture Location: Parasio district in Porto Maurizio.
The oldest part of the city, located at the top of a promontory, has preserved the classic structure of "caruggi" (narrow winding streets) designed to protect against pirates and winds. Here, houses are packed tightly together, forming natural fortress walls. Notable examples include surviving fragments of medieval fortifications and ancient palazzos hidden in the labyrinth of alleys.
Baroque and Neoclassicism: An Era of Religious Grandeur Location: Center of Porto Maurizio.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the wealth of the local nobility and the church led to the construction of monumental structures. The dominant landmark is the Basilica of San Maurizio—the largest cathedral in Liguria outside of Genoa. This grandiose neoclassical structure with Baroque elements symbolizes the city's economic power of that era. Nearby are the famous Logge di Santa Chiara—an elegant arched gallery overhanging the sea.
19th-Century Piedmontese Style: Order and Arcades Location: Center of Oneglia, Piazza Dante.
Unlike the chaotic medieval Porto Maurizio, Oneglia developed under the influence of the House of Savoy. The architecture here resembles Turin: geometrically regular quarters, wide streets, and characteristic arcades (porticos) along the main commercial routes. The buildings here are lower, more massive, and functional, reflecting the commercial and industrial character of the district.
20th-Century Rationalism and Eclecticism: Architecture of Unification Location: The zone between the two centers.
After the cities merged in 1923, there was a need to develop the vacant land between them. The main monument of this era is the Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale). Built in the 1930s, it combines features of Italian Rationalism and the monumentalism characteristic of that period, while incorporating elements that pay tribute to the historical context.
Industrial Architecture Location: Oneglia seafront.
An important element of the cityscape is historical industrial buildings, such as the old Agnesi pasta factory. Although production has ceased, the building remains an important monument of industrial archaeology, recalling the "golden age" of local industry.
Notable People
Notable Figures of Imperia
The history of the city is inextricably linked to the names of people whose achievements reached far beyond Liguria. Thanks to the merger of two ancient centers, Imperia can take pride in natives of both Oneglia and Porto Maurizio, including great naval commanders, world-renowned scientists, and cultural figures.
Andrea Doria (1466–1560) Admiral and Statesman A native of Oneglia and a representative of an influential aristocratic family. Doria became a legendary Genoese admiral who served French kings and Emperor Charles V. He played a key role in restoring the independence of the Republic of Genoa and is considered one of the most significant figures of the Italian Renaissance in naval history.
Edmondo De Amicis (1846–1908) Writer and Journalist Born in Oneglia in a building that today serves as the city library. De Amicis became world-famous as the author of the novel Heart (Cuore)—one of the most popular children's books in the history of Italian literature, which raised generations of Italians in the spirit of patriotism and humanism.
Giulio Natta (1903–1979) Organic Chemist, Nobel Prize Laureate Born in Porto Maurizio. A great scientist who, in 1963 (along with Karl Ziegler), received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His research led to the creation of isotactic polypropylene—a material that revolutionized plastics production and is used everywhere today.
Maria Pellegrina Amoretti (1756–1787) Lawyer A native of Oneglia who went down in history as the first woman in Italy (and one of the first in the world) to receive a doctorate in law. She overcame the social prejudices of her time, brilliantly defending her thesis at the University of Pavia in 1777.
Luciano Berio (1925–2003) Composer Born in Oneglia into a family of musicians, Berio became one of the leaders of the musical avant-garde in the second half of the 20th century. He is known for his experiments in electronic music and symphonic works that received acclaim on the world's major stages.
Alessandro Natta (1918–2001) Politician A prominent political figure of the Italian Republic, serving as the General Secretary of the Italian Communist Party in the 1980s. A native of Imperia, he was also known as a historian and publicist who was active in the Resistance movement during World War II.