SAVONA, A PROVINCIAL CAPITAL

Abstract

Savona is an ancient seaport city, situated between the most northern point of the Mediterranean Sea and the Po Valley. Its position has always created friction with Genoa, another great port of these coasts: since the time of the Punic Wars, both concurred to the rank of capital. Savona was an ally of the Carthaginians: after the victory, the Romans chose the faithful Genoa as the capital of their «IX Regio: Liguria». In the Middle Ages the two cities vied for a long time in the shipping business, as long as the Genoese decided to destroy the rival port. In this way Savona was degraded to a very low rank. There will be some small improvements only with the Napoleonic revolutions and then with Savoy monarchy. However, being smaller in Genoa, Savona was never able to compete for hegemony. In all the projects of abolition or merger of the Provinces, the small Savona is always listed among the first that should be deleted.