Parrocchia Cattedrale San Michele Arc. di Albenga

In the historic center of Albenga, the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel is one of the most important religious buildings in the Ligurian town. The foundation of the building probably dates from the fourth century, simultaneously with the reconstruction of the city by Costanzo. The Cathedral that we see today is identical in size to that of the early Christian, despite having been rebuilt several times over the centuries. According to an ancient legend on the road connecting Albenga to Alassio there was a snake, he killed everyone who passed. After asking the intercession of Saint Michael the Archangel, the townsfolk saw a nocturnal glow, which was heading towards a point of the road. They came running and found the snake killed. All work on the early Christian studies are continuing at the building from the sixties of the last century. Scholars believe that the first sacred building facility was a basilica; as a result of archaeological excavations were found two of the columns that enriched the altar. The church was turned into a one nave building with the invasion of Rotari, the Lombard king, the Liguria. The Church that we see today dates from the twelfth century, of the XIII century extensions. Further changes were made in full climate of the Counter, in the sixteenth century. The various operations performed over time have affected considerably the originality of the structure, which has been restored medieval appearance in the seventies of last century, the work of Nino Lamboglia. On this occasion they have been eliminated the decorative elements of clear Baroque derivation. Today the cathedral is divided into three naves; the columns and the pillars are the original ones. Of interest is the fourteenth-century bell tower. St. Michael's Cathedral houses important works of art.