Noli, Italy

Melanie K. Lott

Its foundation is still uncertain, because it is not possible to verify precisely the presence of a settlement in Roman age. The underground has however brought to light some findings that enable us to suppose at least the existence of a small village. In the 6th-7th century it was residence of a religious-civil community supplied with a baptistery and a parish, in the area of the church of San Paragorio. Included into the Marquis del Carretto's possessions, Noli took part in the first crusade (1097), from which had cospicuous political and commercial benefits that permitted it gradually to free itself, till 1192 when it reached the complete communal autonomy kept until 1797 During the historical events that led the western towns to contrast the egemonic Republic of Genoa, allied with the Pope against the emperor Frederick II Noli chose to support Genoa incuring the hostility of the neighbouring and powerful Savona. Its faithfulness to Genoa was however paid back in 1238 with the creation of the new diocese of Noli and the raising to the degree of city. Also the abbey of Sant'Eugenio of the Bergeggi island was annexed to the Nolese episcopal revenue. In 1820 the diocese was joined again to that one of Savona.