The Apartamento Stella di Mare is located just a few metres from the old idyllic fishing port of \"Focce\". Even now, visitors can sit undisturbed and enjoy the fresh sea breeze for hours - far away from the hustling, bustling city. The simple, unostentatiously furnished apartment sleeps four and comprises two bedrooms, a living room, a practical, well-equipped kitchen and a bathroom with shower. The beautiful, historic centre of Porto Maurizio, with its many small shops and equally enticing restaurants is just a few minutes away by foot.

Imperia is the fourth largest town in Liguria. It became a municipality in 1923 as a consequence of the union of Oneglia and Porto Maurizio, two towns on the Western Riviera divided by the mouth of the River Impero.

The two nuclei remain distinct despite the administrative merger and extensive property development.

Porto Maurizio was an ally of Genoa from the thirteenth century onwards, while Oneglia, the natural sea outlet of the Impero Valley, was allied with the House of Savoy from 1576. Oneglia's origins as a town date back to mediaeval times. Worth visiting are Palazzo Doria (now completely transformed), which was the birthplace of Andrea Doria, and the church of San Giovanni Battista. Porto Maurizio, which stands on a promontory, began to develop after 1000 AD: the oldest district is called Parasio. The cathedral and the historic buildings are well worth visiting.

Porto Maurizio is situated on the Paraiso hill. As long ago as 1241 it was the main town of the western Riviera and in 1861 became provincial capital of the Kingdom of Italy.



The centre of the old town is spread out around the cathedral of San Maurizio which was constructed in neo-classical style by the architect Gaetano Cantoni in 1781.



Today, the former Palazzo Comunale houses the Pinacoteca Civica (Wed, Sat 16.00 – 19.00), which contains a collection of Ligurian paintings, and the Museo Navale Internazionale del Ponente Ligure (Wed, Sat 15.30 – 19.00).



The terrace of the church of San Pietro and the Convento di S. Chiara both offer a wonderful view of the area.