Sanremo sits on Italy's northwest coast, a standout spot on the Italian Riviera. It's not just a pretty face; it's a cultural powerhouse, home to the Sanremo Music Festival and the Milan–San Remo bike race. Forget the myth of Saint Remus; the name really comes from "Sant'Eremo di San Romolo," nodding to Romulus of Genoa.

Historical Overview Long ago, around 7000 to 6000 B.C., hunters roamed here. Then came settlers, agriculture, and the foundations of society. But the real action started with the Romans naming it Matutia. The Middle Ages saw Sanremo climb hills to dodge Saracen attacks. It built a castle and La Pigna, its still-standing ancient heart. Over time, it switched hands—Genoese bishops, Doria, De Mari—until it broke free in the 15th century.