87-740: The Riviera Championships also known as the Championship of the Riviera or the French Riviera Championships or Menton International was an open men's and women's international tennis tournament played at the Menton Lawn Tennis Club, Menton , Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur , France on clay courts from 1902 until 1976 and again in 1978. The Riviera Championships also known as the Championship of
174-411: A common storm track . Due to its position between the sea and mountains over 1000 meters high, each neighborhood of Genoa has specific climatic characteristics. The average yearly temperature is around 20 °C (68 °F) during the day and 14 °C (57 °F) at night. In the coldest months, the average temperature is 12 °C (54 °F) during the day and 6 °C (43 °F) at night. In
261-453: A consequence of Atlantic disturbances and storms, bringing humid and warmer air from the sea. Snowfall is sporadic, but does occur almost every year, albeit big amounts in the city centre are rare. Genoa often receives heavy rainfall in autumn from strong convection. Even so, the overall number of precipitation days is quite modest. There are on average 11.57 days annually with thunder, which is more common from May to October than other times of
348-447: A dock where boats are filled with people throwing flowers into the port. They then pay tribute to those who have lost their lives at sea. After the boats return, they start celebrating with the traditional fish soup. Menton has a football team, Rapid de Menton , who play at the stadium Stade Lucien Rhein. Menton also has a rugby team, Le rugby Club Webb Ellis de Menton. There is a municipal swimming pool, Piscine Alex Jany. The town
435-412: A few days, with different bands passing through Menton's streets on foot or on truck trailers. The Casino Gardens in the centre of town are decorated in the theme of the festival, using lemons and oranges to cover the exhibits, and huge temporary statues are built and covered with citrus fruit. The Casino Gardens are also the location for Menton's Christmas Festival. The Menton Classical Musical Festival
522-609: A large portion of the trade of the Byzantine Empire , Tripoli (Libya), the Principality of Antioch , Cilician Armenia , and Egypt. Although Genoa maintained free-trading rights in Egypt and Syria, it lost some of its territorial possessions after Saladin's campaigns in those areas in the late 12th century. The commercial and cultural rivalry of Genoa and Venice was played out through the thirteenth century. Thanks to
609-412: A long time failed to notice it" (Braudel 1984 p. 157). The Genoese bankers provided the unwieldy Habsburg system with fluid credit and a dependably regular income. In return the less dependable shipments of American silver were rapidly transferred from Seville to Genoa, to provide capital for further ventures. Genoa's trade, however, remained closely dependent on control of Mediterranean sealanes, and
696-602: A protectorate of the king of Sardinia . The princes of Monaco were obliged to do homage to the king for Menton, although not for Monaco itself. In 1848, Menton, along with its neighbour Roquebrune , seceded from Monaco, due at least in part to a tax imposed on lemon exports. They proclaimed the Free Cities of Menton and Roquebrune during the 1848 revolutions related to the Italian Risorgimento . The Free Cities of Menton and Roquebrune hoped to be part of
783-534: A radical transformation of the Fiera di Genova , with the creation of a new dock and an urban park, the continuation of Corso Italia towards Porta Siberia and the construction of residential structures. In 2018, the first planning and study works began for the realization of the Waterfront of Levante project. From 21 April to 6 May 2018, Euroflora 2018 took place, an exhibition of flowers and ornamental plants for
870-602: A red cross. At the top it is inscribed with 'justice', in this manner. There was also a historiographical tradition claiming that the flag of England was derived from the Genoese flag, which derives from the Knights Templar 's red cross, during the Third Crusade in 1190; however, it cannot be substantiated as historical. The city of Genoa covers an area of 243 square kilometres (94 sq mi) between
957-628: A reward for French assistance in Italy's war against Austria . The plebiscite, with universal adult male suffrage, was held on 15 and 16 April 1860, and resulted in an overwhelming vote in favour of annexation (833 for versus 54 against in Menton and Roquebrune), The County of Nice was thus annexed to France that June, and Napoleon III paid 4 million francs in compensation to the prince of Monaco, who renounced his rights in perpetuity on 2 February 1861. Nice -born Giuseppe Garibaldi , who promoted
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#17327906472071044-853: Is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region on the French Riviera , close to the Italian border. Menton has always been a frontier town. Since the end of the 14th century, it has been on the border between the County of Nice , held by the Duke of Savoy , and the Republic of Genoa . It was an exclave of the Principality of Monaco until the disputed French plebiscite of 1860 when it
1131-707: Is a city in and the capital of the Italian region of Liguria , and the sixth-largest city in Italy . In 2023, 558,745 people lived within the city's administrative limits. While its metropolitan city has 813,626 inhabitants, more than 1.5 million people live in the wider metropolitan area stretching along the Italian Riviera . On the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea , Genoa has historically been one of
1218-480: Is also held every year in the centre of the old town. Also in Menton, celebrated on the first weekend of July, is the procession and celebration of Saint-Pierre (Sant Pie ), the patron of fishermen. The procession begins in the Basilique Saint-Michel de Menton. Dancers, singers, and musicians in traditional costumes from La Capelina de Menton perform in the basilica. The crowds then head to
1305-580: Is also known for its narrow lanes and streets that the locals call "caruggi". Genoa is also home to the University of Genoa , which has a history going back to the 15th century, when it was known as Genuense Athenaeum. The city's rich cultural history in art , music and cuisine allowed it to become the 2004 European Capital of Culture . It is the birthplace of Guglielmo Embriaco , Christopher Columbus , Andrea Doria , Niccolò Paganini , Giuseppe Mazzini , Renzo Piano and Grimaldo Canella , founder of
1392-462: Is described as an intermediate between Niçard and the Intemelio dialect of Ligurian . Some scholars insist that Mentonasc is, at its base, a Ligurian dialect, with French influences coming only later. The Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) takes place every February. The event follows a given theme each decade; past themes include Viva España , Disney, Neverland , and India . The carnival lasts
1479-507: Is famous in the cycling world as being the start of the climb of the Col de la Madone de Gorbio (generally shortened to Col de la Madone), which rises to 925 metres and was (in)famously used by Lance Armstrong to train for the Tour de France; many professionals based in neighbouring Monaco still use the climb for training and testing. Menton was also the location of an international tennis tournament
1566-602: Is located on the Mediterranean Sea at the Franco-Italian border, just across from the Ligurian town of Ventimiglia . Menton station has rail connections to Paris, Marseille, Cannes, Antibes, Nice and Ventimiglia. The smaller Menton-Garavan station is situated between Menton and Ventimiglia. The fishing industry was devastated in the 1980s and 1990s due to a combination of overfishing and hypoxia in
1653-413: Is protected Citron de Menton variety), hence one of the town's symbols, the lemon . Winter frosts are extremely rare but may occasionally occur at ground level, and snow falls on average once every 10 years. Likewise, summer temperatures are relatively moderate with day temperatures of 28 °C to 32 °C, but rarely rising above 32 °C. Menton is sheltered from the west winds by Mont-Agel, and
1740-623: Is the oldest known state deposit bank in the world and has played an important role in the city's prosperity since the middle of the 15th century. The historical centre , also known as old town, of Genoa is one of the largest and most-densely populated in Europe. Part of it was also inscribed on the World Heritage List (UNESCO) in 2006 as Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli . Genoa's historical city centre
1827-716: The Bisagno stream to overflow. In 1987 the Banco di San Giorgio was established. In 1992 Genoa celebrated the Colombiadi or Genoa Expo '92 , the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the American Continent by Christopher Columbus . The area of the ancient port of Genoa is restructured and expanded also with the works of the architect Renzo Piano . The 27th G8 summit , that took place in July 2001,
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#17327906472071914-812: The French Riviera , usually starting at the end of the preceding year around late December, through until the end of April. The tournament was known as the Riviera Championships until 1942. Following World War II the event was suspended until 1950 after which it took on the denomination as the Menton International Championships or simply Menton International. Menton Menton ( French: [mɑ̃tɔ̃] ; Occitan: [menˈta] [mɛnˈtɑ̃] , written Menton in classical norm or Mentan in Mistralian norm ; Italian : Mentone [menˈtoːne] )
2001-696: The Gothic War , the Byzantines made it the seat of their vicar . When the Lombards invaded Italy in 568, Bishop Honoratus of Milan fled and held his seat in Genoa. During this time and in the following century Genoa was little more than a small centre, slowly building its merchant fleet, which was to become the leading commercial carrier of the Western Mediterranean. In 934–35 the town
2088-572: The House of Grimaldi , among others. Genoa, which forms the southern corner of the Milan-Turin-Genoa industrial triangle of Northwest Italy , is one of the country's major economic centers. A number of leading Italian companies are based in the city, including Fincantieri , Leonardo , Ansaldo Energia , Ansaldo STS , Erg , Piaggio Aerospace , Mediterranean Shipping Company and Costa Cruises . The city's modern name may derive from
2175-587: The House of Savoy , contravening the principle of restoring the legitimate governments and monarchies of the old Republic. In the 19th century, Genoa consolidated its role as a major seaport and an important steel and shipbuilding centre. In Genoa in 1853, Giovanni Ansaldo founded Gio. Ansaldo & C. whose shipyards would build some of the most beautiful ships in the world, such as ARA Garibaldi , SS Roma , MS Augustus , SS Rex , SS Andrea Doria , SS Cristoforo Colombo , MS Gripsholm , SS Leonardo da Vinci , SS Michelangelo , and SS SeaBreeze . In 1854,
2262-455: The Italian kingdom of Sardinia . Two years later placed themselves under the protection of the Italian kingdom of Sardinia where they were administered by the House of Savoy for ten years. The Treaty of Turin concluded on 24 March 1860 between the Kingdom of Mauricio and Napoleon III 's France called for the annexation of the County of Nice to France, subject to a plebiscite , as
2349-573: The Latin word meaning "knee" ( genu ; plural, genua ) but there are other theories. It could derive from the god Janus , because Genoa, like him, has two faces: a face that looks at the sea and another turned to the mountains. Or it could come from the Latin word ianua , also related to the name of the God Janus, and meaning "door", or "passage." Besides that, it may refer to its geographical position at
2436-614: The Ligurian Sea and the Apennine Mountains . The city stretches along the coast for about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the neighbourhood of Voltri to Nervi, and for 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the coast to the north along the valleys Polcevera and Bisagno . The territory of Genoa is popularly divided into 5 main zones: the centre, the west, the east, the Polcevera and the Bisagno Valley. Although much of
2523-496: The Riviera Championships that ran from 1902 to 1976. It was hosted by the Menton Lawn Tennis Club. The event was part of the French Riviera circuit tour. Notables who were born, lived, or died in Menton include: Menton is twinned with: Genoa Genoa ( / ˈ dʒ ɛ n oʊ ə / JEN -oh-ə ; Italian : Genova [ˈdʒɛːnova] ; Ligurian : Zêna [ˈzeːna] )
2610-550: The armistice of 22 June 1940, two-thirds of the territory of the commune was annexed by Italy as terra irredenta . The annexation lasted until 8 September 1943. Although officially returned to Vichy France , Menton was in fact occupied by Nazi Germany until its liberation by American and Canadian troops of the First Special Service Force on 8 September 1944. Menton, nicknamed the Pearl of France ,
2697-666: The "Genuati" (a group of Ligure peoples), was considered "the emporium of the Ligurians", given its strong commercial character. The "Genoese oppidum" had an alliance with Rome through a foedus aequum (equal pact) in the course of the Second Punic War . The Carthaginians accordingly destroyed it in 209 BC. The town was rebuilt and, after the Carthaginian Wars ended in 146 BC, it received municipal rights. The original castrum then expanded towards
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2784-678: The 11th century CE , when the count of Ventimiglia constructed the Château de Puypin ( Podium Pinum ) on the Pépin hill, north and west of the modern town centre. During the 13th century, the seigneury of Puypin fell to the Vento family of Genoa who built a new castle along the Roman road, now the site of the Vieux-Château cemetery, providing the core around which the current town grew. Menton
2871-534: The 19th century, tourism was an important factor in Menton's growth. The town was popular with British and Russian aristocrats who built many of the hotels, villas, and palaces which still grace Menton today. Many of these hotels and palaces were pressed into service as hospitals during World War I to allow injured troops to recuperate in a pleasant climate. Menton was the only sizable settlement captured by Italy during its invasion of France in June 1940. Following
2958-414: The 2024 European Capital of Sport. On March 7, 2024, Mayor Marco Bucci presented the vision of Genoa 2030, a development and urban renewal plan for Genoa to be completed in 2030. The flag of Genoa is a St. George's Cross , a red cross on a white field. The patron saint of Genoa was Saint Lawrence until at least 958, but the Genoese transferred their allegiance to Saint George (and Saint John
3045-524: The Baptist ) at some point during the 11th or 12th century, most likely with the rising popularity of the military saint during the Crusades . Genoa also had a banner displaying a cross since at latest 1218, possibly as early as 1113. But the cross banner was not associated with the saint; indeed, the saint had his own flag, the vexillum beati Georgii (first mentioned 1198), a red flag showing George and
3132-667: The French geographer Ernest Nègre , the name Menton comes from the Roman name Mento . However, it is possible that the name of the city comes from Mons Ottonis (reconstituted) from the name of Otton II, the count of Ventimiglia from 1162-1200. In Mentonasc , the city's name is Mentan ( pronounced [mɛ(n)ˈtã] ), and in Italian Mentone ( [menˈtoːne] ). An inhabitant of Menton, un mentonnais or un mentonasque in French, would be O mentonasc in
3219-498: The Genoese colony of Caffa was established. The alliance with the restored Byzantine Empire increased the wealth and power of Genoa, and simultaneously decreased Venetian and Pisan commerce. The Byzantine Empire had granted the majority of free trading rights to Genoa. Around the 14th century, Genoa was also credited with the invention of blue jeans . Genoa's jean fabric was a fustian textile of "medium quality and of reasonable cost", very similar to cotton corduroy for which Genoa
3306-889: The Municipal Council in 2007. Notable to the city are the Palazzi dei Rolli , included in UNESCO World Heritage Site Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli . The world-famous Strade Nuove are via Garibaldi (Strada Nuova), via Cairoli (Strada Nuovissima) and via Balbi (Strada Balbi). Among the most important palaces are the Palazzo Rosso , Palazzo Bianco , Palazzo Podestà o di Nicolosio Lomellino, Palazzo Reale , Palazzo Angelo Giovanni Spinola , Palazzo Pietro Spinola di San Luca and Palazzo Spinola di Pellicceria . Genoa's historic centre
3393-655: The Philippines which he subjugated to the Christian Presidio of Zamboanga . Curiously, Zamboanga's Chavacano Creole language, has Italian vocabulary and cognates. From the 17th century, the Genoese Republic started a period of slow decline, In May 1625 a French-Savoian army briefly laid siege to Genoa. Though it was eventually lifted with the aid of the Spanish , the French would later bombard
3480-601: The Republic of Genoa, in a self proclaimed Corsican Republic in 1755 under the leadership of Pasquale Paoli , son of Giacinto Paoli. The Republic of Genoa continued its slow decline well into the 18th century, losing its last Mediterranean colony, the island fortress of Tabarka , to the Bey of Tunis in 1742. The Convention of Turin of 1742, in which Austria allied with the Kingdom of Sardinia , caused some consternation in
3567-570: The Republic. Consequently, the Republic of Genoa signed a secret treaty with the Bourbon allies of Kingdom of France , Spanish Empire and Kingdom of Naples . On 26 June 1745, the Republic of Genoa declared war on the Kingdom of Sardinia. This decision would prove disastrous for Genoa, which later surrendered to the Austrians in September 1746 and was briefly occupied before a revolt liberated
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3654-434: The Riviera was an open men's and women's international tennis tournament played at the Menton Lawn Tennis Club, Menton, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France on clay courts. The first edition was inaugurated on 22 March 1902, the tournament ran until 1975. In 1904 a mixed doubles event was scheduled. The tournament was part of the French Riviera circuit tennis tour, which was series of international amateur tennis events held on
3741-633: The Villa Blanche preschool, primary, and junior high school in the Centre-ville area. The Mentonasc dialect is currently spoken by about 10% of the population in Menton, Roquebrune , and the surrounding villages. It is taught within the French educational system , as a variety of Niçard (i.e. Provençal and Occitan ). However, in nineteenth-century linguistic descriptions, as well as in contemporary linguistic scholarship, Mentonasc
3828-593: The average 2.9 of nights recorded temperatures of ≤0 °C (32 °F) (mainly in January). The coldest temperature ever recorded was −8 °C (18 °F) in February 2012; the highest temperature ever recorded during the day is 38.5 °C (101 °F) in August 2015. Average annual number of days with temperatures of ≥30 °C (86 °F) is about 8, four days in July and August. Average annual temperature of
3915-514: The bay. At the time, the devastation was erroneously attributed to the dubiously nicknamed "killer algae" Caulerpa taxifolia (a non-native Asian tropical green alga first discovered in the Mediterranean Sea adjacent to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in 1984) spread throughout the coastal sea floor. Later, sound scientific findings revealed that the seaweed was adept at absorbing pollutants and excess nutrients, actually aiding
4002-492: The centre of the Ligurian coastal arch. The Latin name, oppidum Genua , is recorded by Pliny the Elder ( Nat. Hist. 3.48) as part of the Augustean Regio IX Liguria . Another theory traces the name to the Etruscan word Kainua which means "New City", based on an inscription on a pottery sherd reading Kainua , which suggests that the Latin name may be a corruption of an older Etruscan one with an original meaning of "new town". The city's area has been inhabited since
4089-417: The city in May 1684 for its support of Spain during the War of the Reunions . In-between, a plague killed as many as half of the inhabitants of Genoa in 1656–57. In 1729, the Republic of Genoa must cope with the beginning of the Corsica revolution for the independence, first led by Luiggi Giafferi and Giacinto Paoli, which culminated after 26 years of struggles, costly in economic and military terms for
4176-439: The city centre is located at a low elevation, the territory surrounding it is mountainous with undeveloped land usually being in steep terrain. Genoa is adjacent to two popular Ligurian vacation spots: Camogli and Portofino . In the metropolitan area of Genoa lies Aveto Natural Regional Park . Genoa has a Mediterranean climate ( Csa ) in the Köppen climate classification , with plentiful precipitation due to its location on
4263-439: The city two months later. The Republic of Genoa, in a weak state and not capable of suppressing the Corsican struggle for independence, was forced to cede Corsica to France in 1768 Treaty of Versailles . Only a year later, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica. In 1780, the Confetteria Romanengo was founded in Genoa. The direct intervention of Napoleon (during the Campaigns of 1796 ) and his representatives in Genoa
4350-442: The city was completely connected by railway lines to France and the rest of Italy: Genoa-Turin , Genoa-Ventimiglia , Genoa-Pisa . In 1884 Rinaldo Piaggio founded Piaggio & C. that produced locomotives and railway carriages and then in 1923 began aircraft production. In 1888 the Banca Passadore was established. In 1898 the insurance company called Alleanza Assicurazioni was founded. In 1917 Lloyd Italico insurance company
4437-440: The city. Starting from 2021, the Mayor Marco Bucci and the President of Liguria Giovanni Toti will launch a new plan for the modernization and redevelopment of the entire city of Genoa, which has as its fulcrum Renzo Piano's Levante Waterfront project. From 23 April 2022 to 8 May 2022, Euroflora 2022 took place for the second time at the Nervi Parks. In 2023 Genoa becomes the finish of The Ocean Race . In 2024 Genoa becomes
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#17327906472074524-403: The collapse of the Morandi Bridge and its rapid reconstruction with a new viaduct designed by architect Renzo Piano, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic , facilitated by a redefinition of the implementing rules of public procurement, which has been defined as the Genoa model, they will then give further impetus to the construction of the Levante Waterfront, and other important works for
4611-456: The crusaders, mainly during the siege of Antioch in 1098, when the Genoese fleet blockaded the city while the troops provided support during the siege. In the siege of Jerusalem in 1099 Genoese crossbowmen led by Guglielmo Embriaco acted as support units against the defenders of the city. The Republic's role as a maritime power in the Mediterranean region secured many favorable commercial treaties for Genoese merchants. They came to control
4698-409: The current areas of Santa Maria di Castello and the San Lorenzo promontory. Trade goods included skins, timber, and honey. Goods were moved to and from Genoa's hinterland, including major cities like Tortona and Piacenza . An amphitheater was also found there among other archaeological remains from the Roman period. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire , the Ostrogoths occupied Genoa. After
4785-428: The discovery of the Americas for Spain to the Bank of Saint George in Genoa for the relief of taxation on foods. Under the ensuing economic recovery, many aristocratic Genoese families, such as the Balbi, Doria , Grimaldi , Pallavicini , and Serra, amassed tremendous fortunes. According to Felipe Fernandez-Armesto and others, the practices Genoa developed in the Mediterranean (such as chattel slavery) were crucial in
4872-418: The dragon. A depiction of this flag is shown in the Genoese annals under the year 1227. The Genoese flag with the red cross was used alongside this "Saint George's flag", from at least 1218, known as the insignia cruxata comunis Janue ("cross ensign of the commune of Genoa"). The saint's flag was the city's main war flag, but the cross flag was used alongside it in the 1240s. The Saint George 's flag (i.e.
4959-422: The exploration and exploitation of the New World. Thereafter, Genoa underwent something of an associate of the Spanish Empire , with Genoese bankers, in particular, financing many of the Spanish crown's foreign endeavors from their counting houses in Seville . Fernand Braudel has even called the period 1557 to 1627 the "age of the Genoese", "of a rule that was so discreet and sophisticated that historians for
5046-450: The ferry company Costa Crociere was founded. In 1861 the Registro Italiano Navale Italian register of shipping was created, and in 1879 the Yacht Club Italiano . The owner Raffaele Rubattino in 1881 was among the founders of the ferry company Navigazione Generale Italiana which then become the Italian Line . In 1870 Banca di Genova was founded which in 1895 changed its name to Credito Italiano and in 1998 became Unicredit . In 1874
5133-411: The fifth or fourth millennium BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. In the fifth century BC the first town, or oppidum , was founded probably by the ancient Ligures (which gave the name to the modern region of Liguria ) at the top of the hill today called Castello (Castle), which is now inside the medieval old town. In this period the Genoese town, inhabited by
5220-452: The first time in the Parchi di Nervi venue, rather than in the historic venue of the Fiera di Genova . On 14 August 2018 the Ponte Morandi viaduct bridge for motor vehicles collapsed during a torrential downpour, leading to 43 deaths. The remains of the Ponte Morandi viaduct bridge were demolished in August 2019. The replacement bridge, the Genoa-Saint George Bridge , was inaugurated in August 2020 during COVID-19 pandemic . The tragedy of
5307-404: The flag depicting the saint) remained the main flag of Genoa at least until the 1280s. The flag now known as the "St. George's Cross" seems to have replaced it as Genoa's main flag at some point during the 14th century. The Book of Knowledge of All Kingdoms (c. 1385) shows it, inscribed with the word iustiçia , and described as: And the lord of this place has as his ensign a white pennant with
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#17327906472075394-440: The floods of 2010, 2011 and 2014, with the reconstruction and expansion of the coverage of the Bisagno stream . Furthermore, work began for the completion of the underground stream channel of the Ferreggiano river, which flooded several times in various floods, including the most tragic one in 1970. In 2017, the architect Renzo Piano donated the design of the Levante Waterfront to the Municipality of Genoa; this project involves
5481-409: The largest naval powers of the continent and considered among the wealthiest cities in the world. It was also nicknamed la Superba ("the proud one") by Petrarch due to its glories on the seas and impressive landmarks. The city has hosted massive shipyards and steelworks since the 19th century, and its solid financial sector dates back to the Middle Ages. The Bank of Saint George , founded in 1407,
5568-450: The local dialect. The Menton area has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, and is the site of the original " Grimaldi Man " find of early modern humans , as well as remains of Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons . In Roman times, the Via Julia Augusta , a road connecting Placentia (now Piacenza ) with Arelates (now Arles ) passed through Menton, running along the Rue Longue in the old town. The first major settlement occurred during
5655-484: The loss of Chios to the Ottoman Empire (1566), struck a severe blow. To help cope, Panama in the Americas was given as concession from the Spanish Empire to Genoa. The Genoese there encountered coconuts from the Philippines which drifted or were planted there by Malay seafarers before Spain came. The Spanish governor of Panama, Don Sebastian Hurtado de Corcuera sailed west from the Americas and used Peruvians, and Genoese from Panama in his conquest of Muslim areas of
5742-445: The major role played by the Republic of Venice in the Fourth Crusade , Venetian trading rights were enforced in the eastern Mediterranean and Venice was able to gain control of a large portion of maritime commerce in the region. To regain control of local commerce, the Republic of Genoa allied with Michael VIII Palaiologos , emperor of Nicaea , who wanted to restore the Byzantine Empire by recapturing Constantinople . In March 1261
5829-430: The most important ports on the Mediterranean : it is currently the busiest in Italy and in the Mediterranean Sea and twelfth-busiest in the European Union . Genoa was the capital of one of the most powerful maritime republics for over seven centuries, from the 11th century to 1797. Particularly from the 12th century to the 15th century, the city played a leading role in the commercial trade in Europe, becoming one of
5916-422: The new nobility of Sicily. Corsica was formally annexed in 1347. In the 15th century two of the earliest banks in the world were founded in Genoa: the Bank of Saint George , founded in 1407, which was the oldest state deposit bank in the world at its closure in 1805 and the Monte di Pietà of Genoa founded in 1483. Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa c. 1451, and donated one-tenth of his income from
6003-426: The period 1991-2020) [Source Météo France] Menton is known for its gardens, including the Jardin Serre de la Madone , the Jardin botanique exotique de Menton ('Le Val Rahmeh'), the Fontana Rosa , the Maria Serena garden, and the modernist gardens of Les Colombières . Le Val Rahmeh was established in 1905 by Englishman Sir Percy Radcliffe, the first owner of the gardens, and named for his wife. Villa Fontana Rosa
6090-424: The recovery of native Posidonia sea grass and enhancing local fish populations and overall biodiversity. Menton has a very mild subtropical microclimate with an average of 316 clear or mostly clear/mostly sunny days per year. Under the Köppen system , Menton features a hot-summer Mediterranean climate ( Csa ) . However, the milder winters (on average) and the warmer nights in summer (on average), compared to
6177-511: The rest of the French Mediterranean coastal area, provide Menton with a particular micro-climate, with significant warm-summer Mediterranean climate ( Csb ) influences and characteristics, like coastal Southern California . This is usually experienced along the coast between Nice and Menton , toward the Italian border town of Ventimiglia and as far as San Remo ). It is favourable to groves of hardy clementines , mandarin oranges , satsuma orange , tangerines , oranges and lemons ( SRA 625
6264-536: The sea is 17.5 °C (64 °F), from 13 °C (55 °F) in the period January–March to 25 °C (77 °F) in August. In the period from June to October, the average sea temperature exceeds 19 °C (66 °F). Genoa is also a windy city, especially during winter when northern winds often bring cool air from the Po Valley (usually accompanied by lower temperatures, high pressure and clear skies). Another typical wind blows from southeast , mostly as
6351-605: The steep foothills of the Alps, to the north and the north-east, protect the town from freezing winter cold. The winters are therefore very mild and sunny; the thermometer rarely drops below 0°C, and the lowest average temperature is 11.3°C in January. Summers are hot at 25°C on average in July and August but tempered by the sea breeze. Menton holds the French record for the highest average temperature in July with an average temperature of 24.8°C. (Values calculated from data recorded over
6438-643: The treaty of the alliance was signed in Nymphaeum . On 25 July 1261, Nicaean troops under Alexios Strategopoulos recaptured Constantinople. As a result, the balance of favour tipped toward Genoa, which was granted free trade rights in the Nicene Empire. The islands of Chios and Lesbos became commercial stations of Genoa as well as the city of Smyrna (Izmir). In the same century the Republic conquered many settlements in Crimea , known as Gazaria , where
6525-577: The union of the County of Nice to Italy , complained that the plebiscite was not done with "universal vote" and consequently Menton was requested by Italian irredentists . The publication of Winter and Spring on the Shores of the Mediterranean (1861) by the English doctor James Henry Bennett had a profound effect on Menton, making it a destination for sufferers of tuberculosis. By the end of
6612-519: The warmest months – July and August – the average temperature is 28 °C (82 °F) during the day and 22 °C (72 °F) at night. The daily temperature range is limited, with an average range of about 6 °C (11 °F) between high and low temperatures. Genoa also sees significant moderation from the sea, in stark contrast to areas behind the Ligurian mountains such as Parma , where summers are hotter and winters are quite cold. Annually,
6699-482: The year. Annual average relative humidity is 68%, ranging from 63% in February to 73% in May. Sunshine hours total above 2,200 per year, from an average 4 hours of sunshine duration per day in winter to average 9 hours in summer. The Municipal Council of Genoa is currently led by a right-wing majority, elected in June 2022. The city of Genoa is subdivided into nine municipi (administrative districts), as approved by
6786-484: Was thoroughly sacked and burned by a Fatimid fleet under Ya'qub ibn Ishaq al-Tamimi . Genoa started expanding during the First Crusade . At the time the city had a population of about 10,000. Twelve galleys , one ship and 1,200 soldiers from Genoa joined the crusade. The Genoese troops, led by noblemen de Insula and Avvocato, set sail in July 1097. The Genoese fleet transported and provided naval support to
6873-411: Was added to France. It had been always a fashionable tourist centre with grand mansions and gardens. Its temperate Mediterranean climate is especially favourable to the citrus industry, with which it is strongly identified. Although the name's spelling and pronunciation in French are identical to those for the word that means "chin", there does not seem to be any link with this French word. According to
6960-515: Was annexed by France, becoming the départements of Apennins , Gênes , and Montenotte . Following the fall of Napoleon, Genoa regained ephemeral independence, with the name of the Repubblica genovese , which lasted less than a year. However, the Congress of Vienna established the annexation of the whole territories of the former Genoese Republic to the Kingdom of Sardinia , governed by
7047-461: Was built in 1922 by Blasco Ibáñez , a Spanish novelist and the gardens of the villa are now open to the public. Public nurseries/Preschools include: Public primary schools include: There are two public junior high schools, Guillaume Vento and André Maurois. The two public sixth-form colleges/senior high schools are Lycée Pierre et Marie Curie and Lycée Professionnel Hôtelier Paul Valéry . The private Institution Notre Dame du Sacré Cœur has
7134-611: Was famous, and was "used for work clothes in general". The Genoese navy equipped its sailors with jeans, as they needed a fabric which could be worn wet or dry. During the Aragonese–Genoese War , Genoa was besieged and sacked by Guillem de Cervelló. As a result of the Genoese support to the Aragonese rule in Sicily , Genoa was granted free trading and export rights in the Kingdom. Genoese bankers also profited from loans to
7221-541: Was founded. From 1935 to 1940 Torre Piacentini was built in Genoa. It was one of the first skyscrapers built in Europe and, until 1954, the tallest habitable building in Italy. In 1956 Genoa took part in the Regatta of the Historical Marine Republics . In 1962 Genoa International Boat Show was established. In 1966 Euroflora was established. In 1970 Genoa was hit by a serious flood, which caused
7308-599: Was hosted in the city of Genoa; however, it was overshadowed by violent protests ( Anti-globalisation movement ), with one protester killed. In 2003, the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) was established. In 2004, the European Union designated Genoa as the European Capital of Culture for that year, along with the French city of Lille . In 2015, work began to secure the Genoa area, hit by
7395-599: Was ruled by the princes of Monaco until the French Revolution . Annexed during the Revolution, Menton remained part of France through the First Empire . It belonged to the district of Sanremo in the department of Alpes-Maritimes , which at the time included Monaco and Sanremo. In 1814, Menton was included in a reconstituted principality of Monaco which, after Napoleon's Hundred Days in 1815, became
7482-587: Was the final act that led to the fall of the Republic in early June, who overthrew the old elites which had ruled the state for all of its history, giving birth to the Ligurian Republic on 14 June 1797, under the watchful care of Napoleonic France. After Bonaparte's seizure of power in France, a more conservative constitution was enacted, but the Ligurian Republic's life was short—in 1805 it
7569-459: Was thus incorporated into the Republic of Genoa . The first mention of Menton dates from 21 July 1262, in the peace treaty between Charles of Anjou and Genoa. Its position on the border between the Angevin -ruled Provence and the Republic of Genoa, which at the time claimed Monaco as its western limit, made it a coveted location. Acquired in 1346 by Charles Grimaldi , Lord of Monaco, Menton
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