View source for Andora

{{Distinguish|Principality of Andorra}}
{{For|the genus of echinoderms|Andora (echinoderm)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}

{{Infobox Italian comune
| name                = Andora
| official_name       = Comune di Andora
| native_name         = {{native name|lij|Andeua}}
| image_skyline       = Andora da Rollo.jpg
| imagesize           = 
| image_alt           =
| image_caption       = Andora
| image_shield        = Andora-Stemma.svg
| shield_alt          =
| image_map           =
| map_alt             =
| map_caption         =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt     =
| coordinates         = {{coord|43|57|29.85|N|8|08|22.27|E|region:IT|display=inline}}
| coordinates_footnotes =
| region              = [[Liguria]]
| province            = [[Province of Savona|Savona]] (SV)
| frazioni            = Conna, La Colla, Molino, Pinamare, Rollo, San Bartolomeo, San Giovanni 
| mayor_party         =Andora più 
| mayor               =Demichelis Mauro 
| area_footnotes      =
| area_total_km2      = 31.61
| population_footnotes = <ref name="istat">All demographics and other statistics from the Italian statistical institute ([[Italian National Institute of Statistics|Istat]])</ref>
| population_total    = 7657
| population_as_of    = 31 December 2010
| pop_density_footnotes =
| population_demonym  = Andoresi
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_min_m     =
| elevation_max_m     =
| elevation_m         = 10
| twin1               =
| twin1_country       =
|istat=| saint               = St. [[James, son of Alphaeus|James]] and [[Philip the Apostle]]
| day                 = 3 May
| postal_code         = 17051
| area_code           = 0182
| website             = {{Official website|http://www.comune.andora.sv.it/}}
| footnotes           =
}}
'''Andora''' ({{langx|lij|Andeua}}) or '''Marina di Andora''' is a town on the [[Italian Riviera]] in the region of [[Liguria]], included in the [[province of Savona]].

==Geography and climate==
Andora is situated in the western part of the Italian Riviera between Capo Mele in the east and Capo Mimosa in the west. This coastal area is called the Riviera delle Palme (Riviera of Palms), which is centered on [[Savona]]. To the west is the Riviera dei Fiore (Riviera of Flowers), which stretches from the [[France|French]] border to [[Cervo, Liguria|Cervo]]. Andora had a population of 7,638 in 2008 ISTAT date which swells to almost 10 times this in the summer months.<ref>[http://www.provincia.savona.it/provincia/comuni/0comunixx.asp?c=6 Sito Ufficiale della Provincia di Savona – Comuni<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The original town is on a low hill by the [[:wikt:left bank|left bank]] of the River Merula which flows into the sea. Marina di Andora is the development that spread along the coastline from the Middle Ages onwards, first as a fishing and boatbuilding center, then in the last 50 years as a tourist resort. It is {{convert|255|km|mi}} from [[Savona]], the main town in the province, {{convert|65|km|mi|0}} from [[Imperia (city)|Imperia]], {{convert|100|km|mi}} from [[Sanremo]] and {{convert|200|km|mi}} from [[Genoa]]. The territory forms part of the Mountain Community of Ingauna. Some of the parishes belonging to Andora include Conna, [[Colla Micheri]], San Bartolomeo, San Pietro, [[Stellanello]] and Rollo.<ref>[http://italia.indettaglio.it/ita/liguria/andora.html Andora<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

{{Weather box
| name         =  
| width        =  auto
| collapsed    =  yes
| open         =  
| metric first = yes
| single line  = yes
| trace        =  
| location     =  [[Capo Mele Lighthouse]] (1991-2020)
| temperature colour =
| precipitation colour  =  green
| unit precipitation days =  1.0 mm
| precip days colour      =  

| Jan record high C =20.0
| Feb record high C =21.8
| Mar record high C =23.7
| Apr record high C =28.0
| May record high C =30.4
| Jun record high C =35.0
| Jul record high C =34.9
| Aug record high C =37.0
| Sep record high C =35.0
| Oct record high C =29.4
| Nov record high C =25.0
| Dec record high C =21.2
| year record high C =
| Jan high C =12.1
| Feb high C =12.6
| Mar high C =14.8
| Apr high C =17.2
| May high C =21.0
| Jun high C =24.7
| Jul high C =27.7
| Aug high C =28.3
| Sep high C =24.9
| Oct high C =20.4
| Nov high C =16.1
| Dec high C =13.1
| year  high C =
| Jan mean C  =9.0
| Feb mean C  =9.1
| Mar mean C  =11.2
| Apr mean C  =13.6
| May mean C  =17.4
| Jun mean C  =21.0
| Jul mean C  =23.9
| Aug mean C  =24.4
| Sep mean C  =21.1
| Oct mean C  =17.0
| Nov mean C  =13.0
| Dec mean C  =10.1
| year mean C =
| Jan low C  =7.0
| Feb low C  =6.9
| Mar low C  =8.7
| Apr low C  =11.0
| May low C  =14.7
| Jun low C  =18.2
| Jul low C  =21.0
| Aug low C  =21.6
| Sep low C  =18.4
| Oct low C  =14.8
| Nov low C  =10.9
| Dec low C  =8.1
| year low C =

| Jan precipitation mm  =57.7
| Feb precipitation mm  =42.8
| Mar precipitation mm  =47.4
| Apr precipitation mm  =64.9
| May precipitation mm  =38.6
| Jun precipitation mm  =26.1
| Jul precipitation mm  =13.5
| Aug precipitation mm  =18.8
| Sep precipitation mm  =67.9
| Oct precipitation mm  =99.1
| Nov precipitation mm  =117.8
| Dec precipitation mm  =82.9
| year precipitation mm =
| Jan precipitation days  =5
| Feb precipitation days  =4
| Mar precipitation days  =5
| Apr precipitation days  =6.3
| May precipitation days  =4
| Jun precipitation days  =3.03
| Jul precipitation days  =1.93
| Aug precipitation days  =2.03
| Sep precipitation days  =5.7
| Oct precipitation days  =6.3
| Nov precipitation days  =8
| Dec precipitation days  =5.93
| year precipitation days =

| Jan humidity    =64.05
| Feb humidity    =63.72
| Mar humidity    =67.18
| Apr humidity    =69.03
| May humidity    =70.63
| Jun humidity    =72.07
| Jul humidity    =70.75
| Aug humidity    =69.36
| Sep humidity    =66.30
| Oct humidity    =67.44
| Nov humidity    =64.61
| Dec humidity    =63.51
| year humidity   =
| Jan dew point C =1.5
| Feb dew point C =1.5
| Mar dew point C =4.4
| Apr dew point C =7.4
| May dew point C =11.4
| Jun dew point C =15.6
| Jul dew point C =18.1
| Aug dew point C =18.1
| Sep dew point C =13.9
| Oct dew point C =10.3
| Nov dew point C =5.4
| Dec dew point C =2.4

| Jan sun  =170.2
| Feb sun  =171.1
| Mar sun  =210.2
| Apr sun  =217.2
| May sun  =254.2
| Jun sun  =270.6
| Jul sun  =302.6
| Aug sun  =287.1
| Sep sun  =231.3
| Oct sun  =188.5
| Nov sun  =162.0
| Dec sun  =164.0
| year sun =

| source = [[NCEI|''ncei.noaa.gov'']]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-6-WMO-Normals-9120/Italy/CSV/CapoMele_16153.csv |title=World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020: Capo Mele-16153 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NOAA|National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date = 28 February 2024|no-pp=y |type=Excel |format=CSV }}</ref>
}}

==History==
The first settlement here dates back to the 8th century BC with the [[Phocaeans]] escaping from [[Asia Minor]].<ref>[http://www.andora.it/lacitta/storia.php]{{dead link|date=October 2016|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> During the [[Roman Empire]], Castrum Andorae underwent substantial development due to its strategic location on the Via Julia Augusta. After the invasion by the [[Goths]] in 951 it formed part of the [[Marca Alemanica]] and from 1091 passed to Bonifacio di Vasto. From 1125 the Clavesana family took over and constructed a defensive fortification, mainly to control the means of communication, and enhanced the town with towers, churches and town walls. Due to war, the family had to sell the territory and its [[castle]] in 1252 to the [[Republic of Genoa]] initiating a period of five centuries of peace.<ref>[http://www.inforiviera.it/blu/andora.cfm Riviera Ligure delle Palme<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In this period [[olive]] trees were grown and [[olive oil]] was produced, [[fishing]] was practiced and boat building began. In 1671 the Virgin Mary appeared in Andora. At the end of the 18th century, the area became under the control of [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon Bonaparte]] in the new department of [[Montenotte Department|Montenotte]]. It later fell to the rule of [[Sardinia]] and then [[Italy]].<ref>Comunità Montana Ingauna, Guide Gallery, 1990</ref>

From a population of 1,940 in 1861 it grew to 3,328 in 1961 to 6,068 in 1981 and by 2001 had reached 6,767.

==Main sights==
There is a historical nucleus on a hill inland around the remains of the [[Clavesana]] Castle, which was once home to the governor of [[Genoa]]. Just opposite is the chapel of St Nicholas and ruins of some medieval houses. The church of St James and St. Phillip, which is based on the [[Albenga Cathedral|cathedral]] in [[Albenga]], was built in local stone with columns and pillars in the late [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque style]]. A little further down the hill is the castle tower which was built between 1220 and 1240 and still remains intact.

A bridge on the River Merula with 10 arches is called the ''Roman Bridge'' but it was actually built in the [[Middle Ages]] on the site of a pre-existing older structure.

The San Giovanni Battista [[St. John the Baptist]] church, on the right bank of the river near the medieval bridge, dates back to the 15th century in the parish of the same name. The complex of old houses further up the hill, Borgata Confredi, was built to house the workers of the olive terraces nearby. From San Giovanni, you can still walk along the track of the mediaeval road to Cervo.

In the centre of Marina di Andora, you can still see the bastion built in the 11th century as a defence against the [[Saracens]]; it now houses a [[pizzeria]].

On the way to [[Laigueglia]] is the [[Capo Mele Lighthouse]]. From Cervo, the main site of Andora is the St.James Church. From Cervo, there are views of the church and the whole city. A bridge on the Merule River reaches San Giovanni town which is the most historical city of Andora.

==Tourism and recreation==
Andora is a holiday resort thanks to the long sandy beach and the historical hinterland. Since 1986 Andora has held the Bandiera Blu award for clean waters and beaches.<ref>[http://www.ilvostrogiornale.it/2007/07/13/regione-lunedi-cerimonia-di-premiazione-per-le-bandiere-blu/ » Regione: lunedì cerimonia di premiazione per le bandiere blu<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Accommodations include hotels, bed and breakfast establishments and campsites.  There are public and private ''lidos'' offering services such as sunbed, hire, etc. Various water sports are practiced including [[sailing]], [[canoeing]], [[surfing]], [[kite surfing]] and [[windsurfing]]. A diving club Sport 7 is based in the [[marina]] and the sailing and canoeing club is to the east of the port.

It has a marina with over 850 moorings, mainly for local boat owners, but 56 places are reserved for tourists in transit to the area. [[Whale watching|Whale-watching]] trips depart in the summer from the marina.
Apart from water sports, there are [[bowling]] clubs, [[tennis]] clubs and [[Equestrianism|horse riding]] stables at San Pietro. The area is popular for [[hiking]] and [[mountain biking]]. The Parco delle Farfalle has a [[roller skating]] rink and there is a cycling [[velodrome]] in the center.<ref>[http://www.rivieraligure.it/IT/citta.aspx?citta=andora&c=125 Andora<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Concerts are held in the summer in the outdoor arena at the Parco Delle Farfalle as well, in the town center and in the historic setting of the [[medieval]] St James and St Phillip Church. There is also an open-air cinema in the summer months.

==Events==
''Azzurro pesce d'autore'' (author blue fish) in May is a two-day gastronomic festival celebrating Andora and its commercial activity through two aspects of its territory: the earth and the sea.

The festival of [[St. Rita]] is on 22 May in the Piazza Santa Rita (St. Rita's Square) near the sea. [[Rose]]s are blessed in the chapel dedicated to the saint. It{{Clarify|date=May 2011}} is followed closely by the locals who have a strong religious beliefs in her.

The festival of St [[John the Baptist]] on 24 June is marked by religious festivities and a ''sagra'', a gathering of the local people in the grounds of the church with an outdoor food and wine festival to raise funds for the local community.

The [[Beer]] Festival at the end of June attracts visitors coming from the north of Italy with live music and a disco in the outdoor arena near the beach.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Several [[regatta]]s for various categories of sailing craft mainly in the summer months.

Rollo hosts a Festival of Aromatic Herbs for a weekend at the end of June.<ref>[http://www.ponentenotizie.it/articolo_sanita.asp?id_art=11938 Andora - Rollo, festa delle Erbe<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819133141/http://www.ponentenotizie.it/articolo_sanita.asp?id_art=11938 |date=19 August 2009 }}</ref>

==Economy==
The main economic activity of Andora is based on beach [[tourism]] thanks to it having one of the largest stretches of sandy beach in the western [[Italian Riviera]]. In the summer the population reaches 70,000 due to the numerous villas and holiday homes. Most visitors come from [[Piedmont]], [[Lombardy]] and the [[Aosta Valley]] as well as from overseas.

It also is an agricultural town with fields of [[basil]] grown to make the world-famous [[pesto]] sauce, fruits, vegetables, olives for oil and vineyards.

==Transport==
Andora is on the coast road the [[Via Aurelia]]. There is an exit for Andora on the A10 motorway between [[Ventimiglia, Italy|Ventimiglia]] and Genoa.

There is a railway station on the [[Genoa–Ventimiglia railway line|Genoa–Ventimiglia line]].

There are buses to [[Sanremo]] in the west, and to [[Finale Ligure]] in the east.

The nearest [[airport]]s are [[Genoa Airport|Genoa]] GOA Cristoforo Colombo and [[Nice Airport|Nice]] NCE Côte d’Azur.

==Twin towns – sister cities==
Andora is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

* {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Larvik]], Norway (2006)

==See also==
*[[Liguria wine]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons}}

==External links==
*[http://www.andora.it/ Official website]
*[https://archive.today/20130217001451/http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/ita/dyn/controller/mapPerformPage?strLocation=Andora&strCountry=eur&google=1 Map]

{{Province of Savona}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Liguria]]
[[Category:Coastal towns in Liguria]]
[[Category:Italian Riviera]]