Former Convent of San Giacomo
The former convent of San Giacomo stands on Valloria Hill, in a panoramic and strategic position overlooking the port and historic center of Savona. The complex was founded in the second half of the 15th century, during a period of significant economic, cultural, and religious development for the city, on land donated to the Friars Minor Observant. Its location, then on the outskirts of town but directly connected to the city and port, reflects the relationship between religious settlements and Savona's urban expansion.
Over the centuries, the complex underwent several transformations, linked both to the needs of the religious community and to the city's urban and military developments. Beginning in the 17th century, the hill underwent fortification work, and the convent was gradually incorporated into Savona's new defensive functions. With the suppression of religious orders during the Napoleonic era, it finally lost its original purpose and was repurposed for various uses , including military and charitable purposes . Subsequent modifications and additions have profoundly transformed the original structure, leaving behind a significant testimony to the various historical phases of the city of Savona.
The former convent of San Giacomo features a simple and functional layout, organized around the convent's living spaces and the church. The architecture, characterized by the sobriety and simplicity typical of the Franciscan order, has been modified over the centuries as the building has been used for various purposes. These transformations have created an architectural stratification that reflects the various phases of the complex's history.
After major restoration work, thanks to PNRR funds and a grant from the Municipality of Savona, in the fall of 2026, the former convent of San Giacomo reopened its doors and revealed the beauty of its rooms and the precious frescoes by Ottavio Semino, one of the protagonists of 16th-century Ligurian painting.
