Ventimiglia

Ventimiglia stands on the Ligurian coast at the mouth of the Roia. Ancient Album Intimilium was the chief town of the Intimilii, a Ligurian people. In the Middle Ages the town became a commune and later came under its own counts, whose authority was challenged by the growing power of Genoa.

Genoa attacked Ventimiglia by land and sea in 1139 and forced its surrender, although the count continued to hold it as a vassal. The town rebelled against Genoese rule more than once and allied itself with Genoa’s enemies. In 1389 it was briefly held by the dukes of Savoy, and in 1410 by King Ladislaus of Naples. It was annexed to the Genoese Republic in 1505 and shared its fortunes into the Napoleonic era.