Diano Castello is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Imperia in the Italian region Liguria, located about 90 km southwest of Genoa and about 5 km northeast of Imperia. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 2,061 and an area of 6.0 km2. Diano Castello borders the following municipalities: Diano Arentino, Diano Marina, Diano San Pietro, Imperia, and San Bartolomeo al Mare. The hills surrounding the village are covered with olive groves and with vineyards that produce Vermentino, a white wine. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").

History

As the name of the municipality suggests, it was originally built in the 10th century as a fortification (Castrum Diani) against incursions by the Saracen pirates. As with many villages around Savona, it later became a fief of the Clavesana marquisate, who built a fortress and ruled till the second half of the 12th century. In the 14th century, Diano Castello became a free municipality (Communitas Diani), that controlled the surrounding villages. It later became part of the Republic of Genoa. The people of this village fought along with Genoa against Pisa in the Battle of Meloria (1284). In 1747 it became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1797 it came under French rule when it was conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1815 it was assigned to the Kingdom of Sardinia. Finally, in 1860 it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. The earthquake of 1887 inflicted serious damage to the churches and the historical monuments

Churches and monuments

Demographic evolution