Location
At 15 minutes by train from Vernazza and Monterosso (Cinque Terre) is located 30 minutes from Portofino, Abbadia San Giorgio is a quiet corner in the heart of the historic center of Moneglia, among picturesque alleys and at only 50 meters from the sea. You can reach it comfortably by train or car: The train station of Moneglia is only 5 minutes from the hotel and in 15 minutes by car you can reach the Genova – Livorno highway.
The beautiful and quiet Moneglia that the Romans called Monilia (jewel), is located between the green of the hills and the blue of the sea, a little gem nestled in the small bay between the two promontories of Punta Moneglia and Punta Rospo contributing to the beauty of one of the most gorgeous stretches of the Riviera del Tigullio.
The two castles of Moneglia, the Villafranca and Monleone, are like sentinels at the top of the promontories defending the rare beauty of the sea. For years now it has been accorded the Blue European flag for the crystal-clear waters and the quality of the services offered on the beach, and for the centuries-old town made up of caruggi (narrow alleys), porticos, churches, and palaces of ancient memory.
It is a pleasure to walk through the caruggi of Moneglia with the porticos and capping done in black slate as in the medieval portico on Via Cavour, the period residences among which is the one of Luca Cambiaso, the great Mannerist painter and a native of this town. Just as interesting is the 14th century Church of San Giorgio, full of art treasures, with the nearby Franciscan cloister that houses the Abbadia San Giorgio hotel which used to be the former site of the Library of Cardinal Dolera and used to hold more than 700 volumes. The Santa Croce Church houses precious historical testimonials of marine Moneglia when it was an ally of Genoa in the battles to defend the Republic.
Artisan shops, stores and boutiques enliven the narrow streets as do the places and restaurants where you can spend a pleasant evening tasting the traditional Ligurian and Tigullio dishes, based on products from the vegetable gardens and the valleys of Moneglia and surrounding areas such as basil, extra-virgin oil and DOC wines of the Gulf of Tigullio great companions to very fresh fish and game from the forest.
It is also delightful to take walks on the beach of Moneglia, at 50 meters from the Abbadia San Giorgio residence, and along the long panoramic paths of the hills, that have inspired the famous painting called "Pine over the sea" and many other paintings by Carlo Carrà, the great painter of the 20th century that used to come to Moneglia to spend his vacations here. Felice Romani, the writer of lyrics for Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Verdi and Rossini is another illustrious citizen of Moneglia. In his honor many important music events are held in the impressive setting of the Oratorio dei Disciplinanti and in the San Giorgio Cloister.
When vacationing in Moneglia you should visit the mundane and beautiful Portofino and also the Cinque Terre, a gorgeous stretch of coast and hills, (both at 40 km from Abbadia San Giorgio), which are protected and managed by the National Park and by the Marine Reserve and declared Heritage for Humanity site by Unesco.
How to reach us
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By car
From Highway A12 Genova – Livorno exit at Sestri Levante. At the first lights turn left and continue on Via Aurelia up to the sign Moneglia-Tunnel (right). At the second light (green at 15, 35, 55) continue to Moneglia. Once you reach the coastal road, go down towards the town center, go underneath the bridge, turn left and continue on Viale delle Palme. Continue straight until 50 meters after the pharmacy Turn right and continue up to the San Giorgio Church. The entrance to Abbadia San Giorgio is from Piazzale San Giorgio, next to San Giorgio Church.
By train
From the station of Moneglia, a 5-minute walk is all you need to get to Abbadia San Giorgio. Exit from the station and go straight along Viale Ammiraglio Gerolamo Bollo, towards the center of Moneglia. After the curve, about 100 meters from the station, turn right and go down a red brick road that reaches Piazzale San Giorgio. You will have arrived; the entrance to Abbadia San Giorgio period residence is on the right, in the cloister.
By plane
From Genoa Airport "Cristoforo Colombo" (72 km)
Take one of the shuttles for the station of Genova Porta Principe, from here continue with a train that in a little more than an hour will get you to Moneglia. From the station of Moneglia follow directions as in the By Train section.
From Pisa "Galileo Galilei" Airport (122 km)
Take the shuttle bus for the train station of Pisa Centrale. From here continue by train, it takes less than two hours to reach. From the station of Moneglia follow directions found in the By Train section.
