Dianese Gulf Municipalities
San Bartolomeo al Mare, municipality of the Gulf of Diano
April 05, 2020
Located in the Steria Valley, San Bartolomeo lies between the valley of the Merula torrent to the north-east and the Evigno valley to the west. Only five minutes away from our holiday apartments in Diano Marina, this small village - known above all for its coastline and the seaside promenade - hides a very ancient history.
In this article we will put aside for once the scenic beauty of the territory, to discover together the events of the Ligurian village.
The history of San Bartolomeo al Mare
The name of the village derives from the saint to whom the parish church is dedicated. Until 1968, however, the toponym was "San Bartolomeo del Cervo", to testify the dependence of the municipality on the authority of the neighbouring village. The traces of pre-Roman times do not seem to be of any importance. Most probably, before the Roman dominion, in the territory of San Bartolomeo al Mare people lived in scattered farmhouses, or in the "castellari", as it happened in the hinterland. At a later time the area was populated by the Ligurian Ingauni, who had commercial relations with the Carthaginians.
The Roman dominion
It was with the advent of the Romans in Liguria that the territory of today's San Bartolomeo al Mare reached a certain importance. In this period, in fact, the territory of the Steria Valley included the Lucus Bormani, an ancient sacred forest where the local deity Borman was celebrated. We know that this area became a mansio along the Via Iulia Augusta, as we can read in the Tabula Peutingeriana. In La Rovere, moreover, some important finds dating back to this period have been found, which can be traced back to an important settlement.
The most important structure brought to light is an elongated building that includes six rooms, a portico and a corridor. Not only: the large quantity of coins and ceramics discovered has allowed to frame the historical period (I-II century) and the functionality of the settlement. It was certainly a strategic place to meet the needs of the troops passing through this area.
To the hamlet of Chiappa, moreover, belongs a milestone of great importance, in which you can read the following inscription:
The Emperor Caesar Augustus
acclaimed commander victorious for the tenth time, and
in its eleventh
tribune power
553 (miles from Rome)
Early Middle Ages
With the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 A.D.) also the territory of San Bartolomeo suffered numerous pillages by barbarian populations. These were interrupted only thanks to the intervention of the Byzantine Empire, which guaranteed greater economic and social security. Later the Longobards arrived and forced the population to take refuge on the hills. But it was with the Franks in 774, and the subdivision of this area into brands and committees, that the foundations for feudalism were laid.
New incursions, this time by the Saracens, took place between the 9th and 10th centuries. Once again the populations fled to the mountains to escape the pirates' violence.
Late Middle Ages and Modern Age
As well as the neighbouring villages, San Bartolomeo was included in the properties of the Marquises of Clavesana and Del Carretto until the end of the 14th century. From this moment, in fact, its territory passed under the dominion of the Republic of Genoa. It then followed its destiny until 1797, when the territory fell under the orbit of the Ligurian Republic. Finally, after the French occupation in 1805, San Bartolomeo was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia from 1815, and then of the Kingdom of Italy from 1861.
The Sanctuary of Nostra Signora della Rovere
We cannot fail to mention, finally, one of the most significant monuments, not only the town of San Bartolomeo al Mare, but the whole of Liguria. As we have already mentioned, this area had known a certain importance in pre-Roman and Roman times, as part of the Lucus Bormani.
The sacredness of the place, dedicated to the woodland god Borman (and then to Diana) survives in the place name: the Sanctuary of Madonna della Rovere rose in fact in a large oak grove.
The construction of the Sanctuary dates back to the 14th century, when the structure appeared as a small oratory. Its present appearance is instead the result of successive renovations. The neoclassical façade of 1860, for example, is the result of the project of the architect Ardissone. The numerous paintings inside are also beautiful, such as the Madonna and Child of the Flemish school and the wooden sculpture of the Virgin, made with oak wood.
San Bartolomeo al Mare is a continuous surprise, just a few steps from our farmholidays.
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