SHARRYLAND
The Marabout, a stone hermit contemplating the sea
There is a great place to search for memories lost in the sea
Where is
What it is and where it is
From the small seaside church of Sant'Ampelio, looking inland on a steep rock, we notice the mouths of two cannons oriented toward the horizon. We cross the road and are immediately immersed in the Pineta Magiargé. Climbing a few steps, we arrive on the terrace, enclosed by a small stone wall, with two possible entrances, one to the northeast and the other to the west. In the middle of the esplanade stands an ancient stone structure, solemn and melancholy, like the story about it. On the two extreme sides of the terrace the two cannons...
Why it is special
A place dear to the people of Bordigrad, as it tells a cross-section of the city's history. From its name we immediately guess a correlation with the period of the Saracen raids that affected Bordighera as well as many other towns on the Riviera di Ponente for a long time. "Marabutto," in fact, is an Arabic-derived term for the cuboid-shaped tomb topped by a dome typical of Muslim holy men.
Not to be missed
Not only a historical wonder, but also an emotional place. Inside hides a small museum physically precluded to the public, who, however, can access it through the aid of their senses. A seashell to listen, a mirror to admire the interior ceiling, and a peephole to scan the horizon ahead. In short, a small wonder, which however has so much to tell, like the anecdote of the beautiful Magiargé... Are you also curious about it? If so, you just have to come and discover it. Shall we go?
A bit of history
Besides the two iron cannons on restored wooden carts facing the stone balcony, there is another one hiding under the canopy of a maritime pine tree. All three, still known by the popular names of "Butafoegu, Tiralogni and Cacastrasse," are part of the historical heritage of the place. In fact, the event for which the Cape esplanade marabout is best known is undoubtedly the one involving a British fleet in July 1811 that saw the surrender by Bordighera, followed by a lavish banquet as a sign of peace.
Curiosity
There is another meaning of "Marabout" that could be appropriately used, namely that which stands for monk-warriors trained in convent-fortresses. Here, this particular ambivalence fits like a glove for a place like this that, lonely, has fought countless battles over the years. Yet today, it appears as a hermit monk, similar to the 5th-century monk to whom the nearby church of St. Ampelius is dedicated, to whom nothing remains but to contemplate, in absolute peace, the admirable horizon.
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