Savona facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Savona Sann-a  (Ligurian)
Comune
Comune di Savona
Panorama of Savona
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Liguria
Province	Savona (SV)
Frazioni	Bosco delle Ninfe, Ciantagalletto, Ciatti, Cimavalle, ConcaVerde, Galleria Ranco, Madonna del Monte, Maschio, Montemoro, Naso di Gatto, San Bartolomeo al Bosco, San Bernardo in Valle, Santuario
Area
• Total	65.55 km2 (25.31 sq mi)
Elevation	4 m (13 ft)
Population  (1 January 2016)
• Total	61,345
• Density	935.85/km2 (2,423.84/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Savonesi
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	17100
Dialing code	019
Patron saint	Our Lady of Mercy
Saint day	18 March

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy.

Savona is a busy seaport city in the western part of Liguria, a region in northern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Savona and sits on the Mediterranean Sea. Savona is a key city along the Italian Riviera, a beautiful coastal area.

One of the most famous people who lived in Savona was the explorer Christopher Columbus. He farmed land in the hills around Savona while he wrote about his amazing journeys. You can still find a cottage in the Savona hills that is believed to be one of his homes.

History of Savona

Savona has a very long history! It was first settled by ancient tribes called Ligures. Around 180 BC, after some big wars, the city came under the control of Ancient Rome.

When the Western Roman Empire fell, Savona was taken over by the Lombards in 641 AD. The city was damaged during this time. Later, it became an important center in the Carolingian Empire. In the 10th century, local leaders were also in charge of the area.

Becoming an Independent City

After many battles against invaders called the Saracens, Savona became an independent city in the 11th century. It even teamed up with the Emperor. For centuries, from the 1200s to the 1500s, Savona was a center for religious learning. This was thanks to two important monasteries.

However, Savona later fought against the powerful city of Genoa. In 1528, Genoa finally conquered Savona. The Genoese destroyed parts of the upper town and even filled in the port. Savona then shared its fate with Genoa until the time of Napoleon.

Modern Times

In 1809, Pope Pius VII was held prisoner by Napoleon Bonaparte in Savona for a few years. The city was also besieged by Austrian and British forces in 1800. After Napoleon's time, Savona became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1815. Eventually, it joined the unified country of Italy.

During the 20th century, Savona grew into an important industrial area for the region.

Main Places to See

Savona has many interesting places to visit, from old churches to strong fortresses.

Churches and Chapels

A map showing the expansion of the Municipality of Savona and Republic of Noli during the 1100s and 1200s.

• The Cathedral of the Assumption (Cattedrale dell'Assunta) was built after the old one was destroyed by the Genoese. It holds special items belonging to Saint Valentine.
• The Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) is next to the cathedral. It was built between 1480 and 1483. Pope Sixtus IV had it built to honor his parents. The chapel was later updated in the 1760s with a beautiful Rococo style.
• The church of Our Lady of the Castle (Nostra Signora di Castello) has a large and famous painting from 1490.
• The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy (Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Misericordia) is another important religious site.

Towers and Fortresses

• The Leon Pancaldo Tower (Torre Leon Pancaldo) was built in the 14th century. It is also known as "Torretta" and is a symbol of Savona.
• The Brandale Tower (Torre del Brandale) is also called "Campanassa." This is where Savona's declaration of freedom was signed in 1191.
• The Priamar fortress was built by the Genoese in 1542 after they conquered Savona. It was built on the site of the old cathedral and city. Later, it was used as a prison. Inside the fortress, you can find the Museum Centre of Priamar.

Palaces and Other Sights

• The Della Rovere Palace (Palazzo Della Rovere) was designed by a famous architect, Giuliano da Sangallo. It was meant to be a university.
• The Gavotti Palace (Palazzo Gavotti) was built in the 15th century. It now houses the Art Museum of Palazzo Gavotti, which includes the Pinacoteca of Savona and the Ceramic Museum.
• The Delle Piane Palace (Palazzo Delle Piane) is an important building in the beautiful Liberty style (a type of Art Nouveau) of Savona.
• Villa Zanelli is another important building in the Liberty style, which used to be a home and a hospital.
• Christopher Columbus's House is located near Savona. It was owned by his father, Domenico Columbus, and Christopher Columbus lived there for much of his youth.
• The War Memorial has a marble base and bronze figures. It was created by sculptor Luigi Venzano. Every day at 6:00 PM, a bell rings 21 times to remember those who died in wars. Traffic and people stop as a sign of respect.

Unique Gardens

• Nemo's Garden is an amazing underwater farm project located nearby in Noli. It aims to grow plants underwater to help with issues like climate change and hunger.

Geography and Climate

Savona is located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Genoa, another Italian city. It is also about 150 kilometers (93 miles) east of Nice, France. The city is on the western Italian Riviera, nestled between the Ligurian Sea and the Ligurian Alps mountains.

Savona's Weather

Savona has a mild climate, a mix of humid subtropical and Mediterranean weather. This means it has warm summers and mild winters.

The average temperature during the day is around 19°C (66°F) for the year. In the coldest months (January, February, December), the average daytime temperature is about 11°C (52°F). In the warmest months (July and August), it averages around 28°C (82°F) during the day. Summers usually last about 4 to 6 months.

Rain mostly falls in the autumn, and summers are generally dry. Savona gets a good amount of sunshine, averaging 9 hours a day in summer. It usually snows once or twice a year.

Famous People from Savona

Panorama of Savona and Priamar fortress.

Savona, painted by a 19th-century tourist, 1860.

Many notable people have connections to Savona:

• Christopher Columbus (c. 1450–1506) – The famous explorer.
• Pope Julius II (1443–1513) – A powerful Pope who commissioned the Sistine Chapel in Savona.
• Pope Sixtus IV (1414–1484) – Another Pope who had the Sistine Chapel built in Savona to honor his parents.
• Sandro Pertini (1896–1990) – A former President of Italy.
• Annalisa Scarrone (born 1985) – A popular singer and songwriter.
• Renata Scotto (1934–2023) – A world-renowned opera singer.
• Stephan El Shaarawy (born 1992) – A professional footballer.
• Davide Biale (born 1994) – A well-known YouTube personality and bassist.

Events and Festivals

Savona hosts several fun events throughout the year:

• The Carnival features a parade in the city center. The traditional costume of Savona is called Cicciulin.
• The Patron Saint's Festival of Nostra Signora della Misericordia is celebrated on March 18.
• The Holy Friday procession is a spectacular event that takes place every two years in the city streets.
• The Santa Lucia Fair is held on December 13 in the central street of Via Paleocapa.
• The Confuoco (or U Confeugu in local dialect) happens on the last Sunday before Christmas.

Sports in Savona

Savona has a strong sports tradition:

• Rari Nantes Savona is a famous aquatic sports club. Their men's water polo team is very successful, playing in Italy's top league since 1982. They have won the national championship three times!
• Savona FBC is the local association football (soccer) club. They play at the Valerio Bacigalupo Stadium. Throughout their history, they have played in Italy's Serie C and Serie D leagues.

Sister Cities

Savona is twinned with these cities around the world:

• Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
• Saona, Dominican Republic
• Bayamo, Cuba
• Mariupol, Ukraine

See also

In Spanish: Savona para niños