The history of Ceriana. Ceriana is a borough in western Liguria in the province of Imperia. It is about fifteen kilometres from Sanremo, at 369m. above sea level. Coming from the direction of Genoa or Sanremo, as soon as one leaves the Via Aurelia, the way starts to climb towards the hill of Poggio, well known among cycling enthusiasts. Upon reaching Poggio, one goes deeper into the Armea valley, up a curvy road, till one gets to a bend from which appears a cascade of medieval houses. It looks like an impenetrable wall, among which one sees pieces of newer architecture, including the rather big parish church, in the highest part of the village. Ceriana was born on the roman site of Coelii ( as it was called in the roman annals) is a medieval borough in a wonderful strategic position, hidden from the sea, but looking on the whole valley. It belonged initially to the Counts of Ventimiglia, then in 1038 came under the jurisdiction of Corrado bishop of Genoa who made it a rural county. Later it was sold to Oberto Doria and Giorgio De Mari, then bought by the Republic of Genoa in 1359 and followed her fortunes till 1797, when Ceriana became part of the ligurian republic Home Page