The name has nothing to do with Egypt: Cairo comes from cairum, medieval Latin going back to car, «stone» in old Ligurian. Montenotte was added in 1863, from the frazione where Napoleon won his battle.
It is the most populous Ligurian comune among those without access to the sea, in the upper Val Bormida, on the road that comes down from Piedmont to the ports: the via Aemilia Scauri already passed through here. The place name first appears in 967, when Otto I gave these lands to Aleramo. Giuseppe Cesare Abba was born here. There are 13,237 residents.
Castello di Cairo Montenotte · Ferrania Film Museum
Pesto alla Genovese
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Nearest airport: Genova, 44 km away
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📅 Every year, on 10 August
On 10 August Cairo Montenotte celebrates Saint Lawrence; the parish church dedicated to him, mentioned as early as 1190 and enlarged after a vow made during the 1630 plague, has been declared a national monument.
Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Cairo Montenotte, but an easy day trip away.
