Grimaldi (Ventimiglia)
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Grimaldi | |
|---|---|
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  Grimaldi Location of Grimaldi in Italy | |
| Coordinates: 43°47′13″N 7°32′20″E / 43.78694°N 7.53889°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Liguria |
| Province | Imperia (IM) |
| Comune | Ventimiglia |
| Elevation | 220 m (720 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 281 |
| Demonym | grimaldini |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 18039 |
| Dialing code | 0184 |
| Saint day | 1 October |
Grimaldi is a frazione of 281 inhabitants in the municipality of Ventimiglia, in the province of Imperia. It is located near the French border of Ponte San Luigi. The oldest inhabited centre, located at 220 m, takes the name of Grimaldi Superiore, to distinguish it from the houses built along the State Road 1 (SS1) Aurelia, which makes up Grimaldi Inferiore.
The origin of the toponym Grimaldi would derive from the Prince of Monaco Charles I who, during 1351, purchased these lands between the Vallone della Mortola and Garavan (Menton) and the top of the hill. Over the centuries the area changed its name several times: from "Grimalde" (quoted in 1514) to "Grimaude" (1655), and again "Grimardi" in 1760 until the current version of "Grimaldi".
History
James Henry Bennett was an English doctor who helped popularize the French Riviera as a Winter holiday destination in the 19th century with his 1861 book Winter and Spring on the Shores of the Mediterranean.[2][3]
"In 1865 I bought in Grimaldi, in Italy, some terraces planted with lemon and olive trees, some bare rocks and an old ruined tower. All this is located a hundred meters above sea level, on the rocky slope overlooking the road to Genoa, a short distance from the border of Ponte San Luigi. The terrain, facing south-west, is protected from the north winds and offers perhaps the most beautiful view possible of the [sic] amphitheater of Menton".[4]
He will immediately get to work and create the first acclimatization garden on the Riviera preceding the Hanburys.
On 7 December 1944, a German patrol of the 34th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht), led by a local spy, broke into the "Vittoria" hotel and captured three families who had found shelter there. The twelve prisoners were then taken out of the hotel and shot.[5]
Historically Grimaldi followed the events of Ventimiglia.
Main sights
Due to its position and height, Grimaldi has extensive views of Menton, the Principality of Monaco and the French Riviera. In very terse days the full coast of France, Tuscany and the island of Corsica are visible.[citation needed]
The caves of the Balzi Rossi have proved rich in palaeolithic remains of the Quaternary period. Remains of a family of Cro-Magnon people were discovered, with several skeletons of men, women and children.
The Giardini Botanici Hanbury (Hanbury Botanical Gardens), surrounding the villa of Sir Thomas Hanbury, La Mortola, are the biggest in Italy, with a number of varieties of tropical and sub-tropical species that thrive in this mild climate.[citation needed]
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