Albenga is the old cathedral city of the western Riviera, on the plain of the Centa.
It formed a commune by 1098, took part in the First Crusade and won trading rights from the king of Jerusalem, and in 1159 its bishop and consul swore fealty to Frederick I, who granted privileges over its territory. Pisa sacked it in 1165 when the Pisan-Genoese truce broke; it sought protection in alliance with Savona and signed the truce of Venice with the imperial cities in 1177. It is bound to Genoa by old conventions but will rise against it with Savona, Ventimiglia and the Del Carretto in 1226-1227.
On 1 January 1200 it governs its plain and the valleys of the Neva and Arroscia as far as the Clavesana lands.
Who holds it
- Title
- Consuls of the commune of Albenga
- Confidence
- low
Lord in 1200
Its own commune with its bishop (a Church map record), under conventions with Genoa [date of the conventions in force not pinned].
How things stand that morning
Self-governing commune under Genoese conventions.
Charter
Imperial investiture of 1159 for its territory; trading privilege from the king of Jerusalem (1104); conventions with Genoa (renewed on harsher terms in 1251).
Council
Consuls [names not pinned].
Communities
The bishop, whose lordships include Oneglia's valley; the abbey of the Gallinara island (a Church map record).
Militia
Citizen militia; ships under the red cross on gold [no numbers].
Walls and castle
The walled Roman and medieval city with its towers, the cathedral of San Michele and the baptistery.
Trade and crafts
The fertile plain (grain, wine, oil), coastal shipping, the roads up the Neva and Arroscia to Piedmont.
What the year holds
What happened next, if nothing in play changes it. Each event carries what it depends on and what would stop it.
- 1226-1227Albenga joins Savona, Ventimiglia and the Del Carretto against Genoa and is beaten.Depends on: Frederick II's support. Stopped by: Genoese strength.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: The 1159 investiture and the 1165 sack are dated; the conventions with Genoa in force in 1200 and the contado's limits are not pinned.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.