Noli (Italian:[ˈnɔːli]; Ligurian: Nöi[ˈnɔːi]) is a coast comune of Liguria, Italy, in the Province of Savona, it is about 50 kilometres (31 mi) southwest of Genoa by rail, about 4 metres (13 ft) above sea-level. The origin of the name may come from Neapolis, meaning "new city" in Greek.
The name Noli, testified in the form Naboli in the oldest documents (between 1004 and 1005), certainly derives from a form of Neapolis which means "new city" in Byzantine Greek (same etymology as for Naples).
It may be mentioned as Neapolis by 7th century geographer George of Cyprus.[5]
The Republic of Noli was an independent republic from 1193 until 1797. In 1239 it became seat of a bishop; later on the diocese was united with that of Savona as the Diocese of Savona-Noli. The Napoleonic invasion in 1797 put an end to Noli's sovereignty.
Main sights
Romanesque basilica of S. Paragorio (11th century)
António de Noli, Italian nobleman and explorer, discoverer of some Guinea territories and Cape Verde islands on behalf of the Portuguese crown.[6] Born in Genoa 1419, "family with origins in Noli or the Castle of Noli".[7]
^Balzaretti, Ross (2013). Dark Age Liguria: regional identity and local power c. 400-1020. Studies in early medieval history. London: Bloomsbury. pp. 49–50. ISBN978-1-78093-030-5.
^Joao de Barros wrote on the Italian navigator: "Di natione genovese, et di sangue nobile, che per alcuni dispiaceri che hebbe nella patria sua se ne venne in questo regno con due navi”. Barros, João. "L’Asia", Dec. I. lib. 2. cap. I. Republished by Vincenzo Valgrisio, Venice, 1562
^According to Della Cella manuscripts "Perittissimo piloto Genovese"; on the family "l’origine si puo supponere dalla piccola Città o Castello di Noli”. Della Cella, "Famiglie Di Genova. Antiche, e moderne, estinte, e viventi, nobili, e populari". Parte II, D.E.F.G.I.L.M.N.O./ MDCCLXXXIII. Page 293