Travel Guide Albissola Marina

The unitary municipality of "Albisole" encompasses the three Albisole: Albissola Marina, Albisola Superiore and Albisola Capo. Albisola Capo is the coastal slope of the most inland of the three, Albisola Superiore (with just one s!). Its historic center dates back to the 15th century, although today the most popular of the three is Albissola Marina (with two s!), certainly for its beautiful sandy beach. Albissola's tradition as a ceramics capital dates back to the 16th century. A document dated 1589 bears witness to the birth of the town's ceramists' guild. The region's abundant clay was extracted from the hinterland, as was the wood to fuel the kilns, which came from the many surrounding forests. The sun and wind then dried the ceramics on the beach. It didn't take long for this well-honed skill to be exported, and in the 17th and 18th centuries, Albisole master ceramists were often called upon to open kilns all over Europe. Among them were the Corradi brothers, founders of the Nevers factory in France at the end of the 16th century. Today, every spring an international majolica festival brings together enthusiasts and professionals in the field.