The Old Principality of Seborga and the coastal area of Bordighera – The Riviera ‘s Capital of the Palm trees – can easily be reached from anywhere in the world.

You connect at NICE – Cote d’Azur International Airport and then go by land.

For a list of airlines who fly into Nice, with their telephone numbers click here.

AIRPORT/HELIPORT

The Gateway airport is NICE- Cote d’ Azur, on the French Riviera with 45 airlines to Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.

The Gateway HELIPORT is at Fontvielle in MONACO.
Once you have landed in either one you will reach SEBORGA or BORDIGHERA within minutes ( 45 from Nice and 30 from Monaco).

Construction of an HELIPORT and a small ALL TERRAIN Airstrip to serve SEBORGA, BORDIGHERA and VALLECROSIA is under study by Private Interest Groups.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

There is bus service between Seborga and Bordighera leaving 6 times a day from the Piazza Martiri Patrioti and arriving in front of the Railways Station in Bordighera, with connection by either road or rail to San Remo or to Vintemilla, Menton, Monaco and Nice.

PRIVATE TRANSPORT

1. 1. A Free Parking for Buses and private vehicles by the Piazza Martiri Patrioti. It is not permitted to park and transit in the Historical Centre.
   2. A Free parking for Motor Homes by the Church of St. Bernard.

Camping is regulated. Please check with the Tourist Office upon arrival.

C- It is nice to know that Public Toilettes are available by the Parking Area.

COMMUNICATIONS

TELEPHONE

1. 1. A Public telephone Booth is located Piazza Martiri Patrioti, by the BUS STOP, opposite the restaurant IL PRINCIPE. Get a lot of coins. International and Local calls available.
   2. Internet, mail, Telephone and Fax available from the SEBORGA BUSINESS CENTER, Av. A. Miranda 9, in the Historical centre.
   3. Cellular Telephone available for rent at the SEBORGA BUSINESS CENTRE and for sale at OMNITEL in Bordighera.

Here is the man responsible for your mail and parcels in Seborga

MAIL

The Post Office Provides all mail services available in the USA or in the EU.

You may also obtain there a cash advance from your CIRRUS/MAESTRO debit Card or MASTER CARD. Service closes at 1 p.m. (13h00).

INTERNET

Full Service available from SEBORGA BUSINESS CENTER Click Here to Enter

AIRLINES THAT FLY INTO NICE
Cote d’Azur International Airport:

Local Art Gallery in Seborga

The cultural climate of the village of Seborga which had developed particularly rapidly in the last 8 years with the encouragement of the Hon. Franco Fogliarini and of the Seborga Town Councellors, following the example of Monaco’s H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, who is the friend of the greatest writers, painters and composers of his time.In Seborga, the Cultural activities are paramount during the summer months and a schedule of events is available from the Seborga Tourism Office web page .

Painting exposition are organised four times a year by the “M.. TRIQUET and under the patronnage of the Mr.Walter Ferrari.

The Town Board is also encouraging local painters to show their work in the village of Seborga

GOURMET’S PARADISE

Seborga and its cosy and reknown restaurants.

As you are in the Center of EVERYTHING there are THOUSANDS of things to see and do everyday, all year around. If you feel like a romantic and secluded evening then you have Seborga and its cozy and reknown restaurants.You may run down hill towards Bordighera or San Remo or Take a short drive to Menton, Monte Carlo, Monaco or even Nice, maybe you will just stop at Eze, Baulieu or Villefrance. The choice is there the choice is yours.

DINING OUT or enjoying a LUNCH on the beach is not all !!!!!!!!.Far from it… Culture is always present.

JETS SET & EVENTS

In the Old Principality of Seborga there is always something happening, a Vernissage, a Vintage Car Concentration, The Ferrari Club, An International “Petanque” Contest, etc_. you name it!

You will easily be side by side with the Jets Set sipping a coffee and a Walnuts Pies – Aristocrat, Billionaires, Artist, Poetes, Idealists – coming from Monaco, San Remo, Cannes or Nice to relax and enjoy the purity of mind and nature, to “regenerate” his/her “batteries”.

PICTURES FROM JEAN MARIE DELMANN VERNISSAGEThe Guest at the “Vernissage” in Seborga Comtesse Dalla-Mura, Chairwoman of the “Club Croisette” and Guests Andre TRIQUET at the Vernissage of Jean Marie Delmann

Here some of the latest encounters:

VERNISSAGE-
Paintings Jean Marie Delmann: This very classy Vernissage was hosted by Walter Ferrari – father of the France’s Fleuret Olympic Gold Medalist – at his Restaurant Il Principe, guest from the Riviera’s were attending together with authorities and personalities of Seborga.

The VINTAGE CAR RALLY of the MENTON AUTOMOBILE CLUB:

The Hon. FRANCO FOGLIARINI Mayor of Seborga

The Vintage Car Rally was in Seborga, host of the Mayor and the Municipal Council for a Wine of Honour which this year was held at the Taverna Templar Restaurant.

The Roll Royce .. is always a Roll’s

The car been blessed by the local Church Authorities

MINUTES AWAY FROM SEBORGA:
Monaco/Monte Carlo/Fontvielle

The Monte Carlo Opera: Since 1892 the Monte Carlo Opera has occupied the Garnier Hall, named after its architect who also designed the Paris Opera House. A hall with a wonderful past, where many works were produced for the first time, such as Richard Wagner’s “Tristan and Isolde”, in the French version, in 1893 and Maurice Ravel’s “The Child and the Spells” in 1925. In all, forty-five lyrical works were first produced in Monte Carlo where the greatest artists came to sing in that golden age : Melba, Caruso, Chaliapin, Tito Schipa, Georges Thil and in our own day Ruggero Raimondi, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti.

It was also in the Garnier Hall that Monaco lived through the greatest hours in the history of the dance. Serge de Diaghilev, Nijinski, Serge Lifar and Ludmilla Tcherina are part of its history. They performed in décors, outstanding in themselves, created by Picasso, Derain and Dufy. “The Spectre of the Rose” was first produced in Monte Carlo in 1911 starring Nijinski.

Every year John Mordler, the Director of the Monte Carlo Opera House, presents a season of a rare quality consisting of four works, very often new productions. The productions of the Monte Carlo Opera House have always reached the greatest artistic heights, where 524 privileged people make up an audience in an extraordinary atmosphere and intimacy possessed by no other theater of international fame.

Here too, Jean-Marc Genestié and Jean-Christophe Maillot present in like manner the various performance of the Company which begin during the Christmas – New Year period, continue in March and April during the Springtime of the Arts festival, in mid-August and finish at the time of the National Holiday in November.

Between these fixed periods, the dancers go on tour abroad as before, to Japan, Italy, the United States and to Russia where their performances are warmly welcomed.

The Princess Grace Theater: This, the former Beaux-Arts theater first opened in 1936, had its hours of glory with Sacha Guitry, Elvire Popesco, Edith Piaf and Maurice Chevalier. Princess Grace designed the whole of the decoration of this hall which was inaugurated on 17th December 1981 with Edwige FeuillÅre, Valentina Cortese and Dirk Bogarde. Run by a committee whose president is H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie, under the direction of Patrick Hourdequin, the theater is now extremely popular with a very varied program where everyone can find something to satisfy him.

The Congress Centre – Auditorium: The flowering point of Art and Culture. With its terrace-roof of enameled lava created by Vasarely and the fitting in the Troparium of a Folon-designed carpet, “The Metamorphosis”, woven at Aubusson in a single piece of 70 square meters, usable in many ways, the Congress Centre – Auditorium, facilitated the recording of symphony concerts, televised shows … It is one of the finest halls in Europe where the Philharmonic Orchestra practices and gives its regular concerts from January to December with a move from mid-July to mid-August to the Court of Honor of the Prince’s Palace. Capacity : 1100 people with an astonishing range of lighting and acoustics. The Monegasque Government is preparing an extraordinary extension of its reception facilities with the Cultural and Exhibition Center on the site of the old Centenary Hall. This Center will include an exhibition hall of about 4,700 square meters in area, an auditorium with 1,200 places, equipped as a show hall with exits at the sides and an orchestra pit (13 meters below the level of the sea), a recording studio and seven meeting rooms of varying capacities with the most up to date technical equipment.

The Fort Antoine Theater: Built between 1709 and 1713 – during the War of the Spanish Succession – on the headland of the Rock. Later, in the reign of Prince Charles III, it was surrounded by gardens. Rebuilt in 1954 at the behest of Prince Rainier III, as it had been partly destroyed in 1944, the old bastion is today an open-air cultural and artistic venue with a central stage, gardens facing the sea and capacity for 350 spectators.

One of the task undertaken by the new Prince of Seborga, Giorgio Ier. Was to print or mint ( see Numismatic) collector items for the great pleasure of the collector and Philatelist.

Some of the First issue, double stamped by the Postal authority of Italy and by the Spiritual Authority of the Palace are quite rare and worth the search.

For us the “commoner” we will be happy to frame some of the day to day life’s stamps used by the Palace.

To conveniently order these items please enter our Shopping Arcade. Click here.

The mint of the Principality was founded on December 24, 1666 by Prince/Abbot Edward.

The currency was then called-like today- LUIGINO, its value used to be a quarter of a French Louis.

The old and precious pieces were silver and gold coins bearing the image of Saint Bernard and the inscription “MONASTERIUM LERINENSE PRINCEPES SEPULCRI CONGREGATIONIS CASSINENSIS.”

Today’s LUIGINO is worth 6 US$.

TO KNOW HOW TO OBTAIN THESE COLLECTOR ITEMS Click here.

Tourism in Seborga is a very sophisticated tourism, close to Nature and Ecology, Gourmet’s Experiences and Historical discoveries are always around the corner.

Tourists from the USA & France

There are 3 known places of cult in the Principality of Seborga and the oldest date back from the X th. Century.

Olive Oil Stone Mill

From Old time until now, Olive Oil was one of the main industry of the region. You may visit some of the Cottage Industry of Seborga, still using Stone Mill to press the Olive grown on the hill sides.

There are plenty of excursions and sites to visit either within the territory of Seborga or within 30 minutes drive. Here you will find a non exhaustive list of some of the most famous spots.

NATURE AND ECOLOGY

A land of great charm and warm, cordial welcomes which is truly Mediterrannean in flavour; a crossroads where trade and tourism meet, where history and past walk side by side, a place where the colours of the sea merrge with the hues of the flora in a lush natural setting warmed by a year round Spring like climate.

Olives, vines and citrus trees dominate the hillsides, mingling in with the nurseries and their crops of flowers, evidence of human toil and a thousand-year-old civilisation which has transformed the appearance of the local area.

THE CAVES OF BALZI ROSSI

The Caves of Balzi Rossi

Hidden below the village of Grimaldi which rises steeply out of the sea are the caves of Balzi Rossi. Their name comes from the rugged morphology of the local area and the reddish colour of rocks.

Homo Erectus sought refuge here some two hundred thousand years ago, making use of the deep caves and vertical crevices in the rock..

Housed in the museum are complex stone tools and ornaments and fossils animals. The artistic skills of our prehistoric ancestors are reflected in the soapstone statuettes of Venuses -stylised figures of women used as symbols of fertility – and the unique depiction of the Prewalskrii Horse, carved from rock by a hunter-cum-artist some twenty thousands years ago.

THE GARDENS OF VILLA HANDBURY

The Handbury Gardens, created by Thomas Handury ( a Londoner who made his fortune in Shanghai and fell in love with this part of the coast and its truly unique climate), sweep across the promontary of Mortola just a stone’s throw from the hamlet of Latte di Ventimiglia.

The small castle belonging to the Marquis Orengo di Ventimiglia was left almost untouched.

Here typically Mediterannean flora intermingles with a host more exotic species, forming an outstanding collection of some six thousands plants, all of which are grown in the open air.

The historic Via Julia Augusta run across the Garden.

Cristalline Unpolluted Water

BORDIGHERA: THE BEACHES
SUN and FUN
The town’s vocation as a peaceful charming holiday destination which will give you a very warm and personalised welcome. It was first discovered by English visitors in the late 1800′s and be the preffered residence of the Queen Margherita. At certain times of the year, these long term holidays makers outnumbered the local inhabitants. It is no coincidence then that in Bordighera was the one of the first Tennis Club of the area, created in 1878.

The beaches are clean, EU Bleu Flag, ten minutes from Seborga, plenty space to unwind, soak sun, and try a local snack.

BEACH and SKI the same day!

WINTER SPORTS
A short drive from Seborga, you can enjoy any of your favorite winter sports, famous for its snow “Poudreuse”, the slopes are ready to receive you from December to Early May .

Please contact us for specific information atturismo@seborga.net

The ancient name of “Castrum Sepulcri” later changed to “Sepulcri Bugrum”, then to “Serporca” and ultimately to the contemporary name of SEBORGA. Seborga was an ancient feud of the Counts of Ventimiglia. In 954 Count Guido bestowed the castle, the Saint Michael’s Church in Ventimigila and the big portion of land to the monks of Lerins. The birth of the Order dates back to around the mid Xth. Century.

In 955 The Sovereign Order of Castrum Sepulcri was born.- In 1079 SEBORGA became a Principality of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1115, the Sovereign Order of Castrum Sepulcri – It was very similar with The Order of St. John of Jerusalem , the monastic community that ran the hospital for the pilgrims in the Holy Land – became independent under the guidance of the Blessed Georges.

In 1118 the Prince/Abbot Edward ordained the first nine templars and the Principality of SEBORGA became the first and unique sovereign Cistercian State in history. In 1127 the nine Templars returned from Jerusalem to Castrum Sepulcri (Seborga). Saint Bernard was waiting for them and ordained Hugues de Payns to be the first Grand Master . In 1128 the Rules of the Orders were sanctionned by the Council of Troyes. In 1129 The Knights, Escuyer of the the Sovereign Order of Castrum Sepulcri, in company of several Saracines (Muslim Traders of noble origine) lay the foundation of the Sovereign Order of Castrum Sepulcri. This group of Knights and Squires amount to less than a hundred, organisation was poor but faith was paramount. They joined the Knights Templars on their way to the Kingdom of Jerusalem. In 1187 after the Battle of Hattin on July 4th, when Saladin crush Guy de Lusignan and the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the Knights of Castrum Sepulcri were made prisoners but were not executed thanks to their excellent relations wiht their fellow Muslim noble who had accompany them to the Levant. Most of the Kights of Castrum Sepulcri, were realeased from jail and left for .

The Principato di Seborga remained a Cistercian State until Jan. 20, 1729, when the Cistecian State was sold to Vittorio Amedeo II, of Savoy, Prince of Piedmont and King of Sardinia. Later in 1748, (Treaty of Aquisgrana) the Principality of SEBORGA was not integrated into the republic of Genoa, neither was it mentioned in the Viennese Congress of 1815 as part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, there is no mention of the Principality of SEBORGA in the Act of Unification of Italy in 1861. And last but not least the Principality of Seborga has never been considered part of the Italian Republic formed in 1946. But it seems that this change was never registered with the kingdom of Sardinia nor the House of Savoy. In 1946, following the unification of Italy, the Sovereign Order of the Antico Principato di Seborga, of Castrum Sepulcri acknowledged the « de facto and de jure » sovereignty of the Italian republic over the village of Seborga.

LIGHT SIGN OF KNIGHT ST. BERNARD
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, not tall and slim build, of poor health, pale with curly hair yet strong and stubborn arrived in Seborga in February 1117, to join Gondemar and Rossal whom he had sent for June 1113, in order to protect the “Great Secret.”

The raining prince at the time was Prince Abbot Edward, born near Tulon, a tall man with a soft heart. In September 1118 he ordained the first Knights Templar who formed the famous “Poor Militia of Christ.” They were Abbot Gondemar and Rossal, Andre de Montbar Count Hugues I de Champagne, Hugues de Payns, Payen de Mont Didier, Geoffroy de Saint-Omer, Archambaud de Saint Amand and Geoffroy Bisol.

All left Seborga in November 1118, eight arrived in Jerusalem in the morning of May 14th. 1119, Hugues de Champagne joined them six years later on the same day at the same time.

Particulars of the geographical map drawn by the Genoese Panfilo Vinzoni dated March 1752 for the Diocese of Ventimiglia (where the document is kept) The borders of the Principality of Seborga with the road to the sea up to the bridge of Lisia are clearly visible. The Principality of Seborga is situated between the possessions of the Kingdom of Sardinia north west and the Genoese Republic south east. Click picture for larger version

In 1127 the nine Templars from Jerusalem to Seborga on the first Advent Sunday of 1127.

Saint Bernard was waiting for them together with Friar Gerard de Martigues who in 1112 had formed the order of the Knights of Malta.

In Seborga in the presence of all the population of 23 Knights and over 100 militias Saint Bernard ordained Hugues de Payns to be the first Grand Master of Saint Bernard Knights.

The consecration with the sword was made by Prince Abbot Edward.

In that same day a vow of silence was made between Saint Bernard of the Knights and the Great Bishop of the Cathars to safeguard “The Great Secret.”

On the Knights Templars 15 were also the Princes of the Cistercian Principality of Seborga, one of theme Guillaume de Chartres died in Seborga as a result of being wounded in the Holy land. In 1611 the last known vow of silence took place in the presence of father Cesario da San Paolo who also became Grand Master, as a remembrance of this day on every roof of Principality were placed 13 roof tiles with the incision- number 13 the date 1611, the letters C.S., and Templar cross.

• Map from 1759 showing the immediate area around Seborga, click here.
  For a LARGE version of that map, click here.
• Map from middle 1600′s showing the immediate area around Seborga,click here.
  For a LARGE version of that map, click here.

With its 12 Counsellors elected by a “proportional mixed majoritarian system” is headed
by the Mayor who represent the Legal, Administrative and Executive Power of the Italian
Republic.

The Administrative and Legal Power

The Town Board and the Mayor

With its 12 Counsellors elected by a proportional mixed majoritarian system is headed by the Mayor who represents the Legal, Administrative and Executive Power of the Italian Republic.
The Mayor and two other members – one of which must be from the Opposition party ­ sit in the name of Seborga at theCommonwealth of Mountain Communities.

The last Town Board and Mayor’s elections were held last in May 2006, two lists were competing, and the list headed by the former mayor win.
The actual Mayor is FRANCO FOGLIARINI .

Mayor of Seborga

TRADITION in the Village of Seborga

For Centuries, the descendants from the Cruisades -
the Seborgheses – had the privilege to elect their Prince, with the ” Bene Placito” of the Pope.
Since the XI Century they did so most of the time in a regular manner. In the XX century,
the locals designated in a private consultation as GIORGIO CARBONE, who became Giorgio Ier. ,
by popular votes. The self proclaimed Prince has acted positively for the developpment and well
been of the locals, boosting tourism.

GOVERNMENT OF THE SOVEREIGN ORDER OF
THE ANTICO PRINCIPATO DI SEBORGA

Richard Ier. and the Knights of Castrum Sepulcri (left) fighting Saladin in 1187 A.D.
Since the crusades, the Government of the Sovereign Order is defined by its Consitutional Charter,
its Code of Laws, its Institutions and its Traditions. The Government of the Sovereign Order of the
Antico Principato di Seborga , of Castrum Sepulcri, has no connection whatsoever with the Italian
Communal government and/or with the Republic of Italy.
They are two different governments.

Richard Ier. and the Knights of Castrum Sepulcri
(left) fighting Saladin in 1187 A.D.

THE LUIGINO -

The Old Principality of Seborga very own currency, minted for the first time on December. 24th. 1666, by Royal Decree. The parity was with the French Louis.

On April 23rd. 1995, Mr. Giorgio Carbone, alias GIORGIO Ier, to boost tourism, minted new coins in various metals .

In 2002 the Old Luigini Replicas were minted by a private entreprise and are available for collectors only. You may obtain these rare collectors items (coming with a certificate of origine) Through the Numismatic and Philately Office.

THE EURO

THE EURO

In the Village of Seborga, you are in Italy so the EURO is the Legal tender like in the rest of the EUROPEAN UNION. It has displaced the LIRA and the FRENCH FRANCS ( notes and coins of the laters will be used until February 2002.)

The BANKS of SEBORGA

.

Posta Banca- Operating within the Post Office in Seborga, cash advance possible if you have a CIRRUS/MAESTRO debit card from your home country. Close daily at 1p.m. – Closed all day Saturday and Sunday.

Banque Francaise de L’Orient - Part of the Group Credit Agricole Indosuez, this very exclusive Bank is the answer to your personal Banking needs. Located in the nearby Principality of Monaco, av. Princess Grace.

SHOPS, GROCERY, SOUVENIRSSEBORGA

• Ruppe Mini Market – Biscuits and Pastries of Seborga Local Liqueur and Wines Souvenirs. A great place for the local delicacies
• Cà Mancini – Groceries, Locally Produced Liqueur and Wines, Souvenirs
• Atelier of Francesca Bianchini – Ceramic and Glass Painting Studio, Interior Decoration, Artistic Souvenirs.
• L’Alternativa – Minerals, Essential Oils, Natural Products for Health and Body care. Esoteric Books, New Age Music
• Il Salotto Dell’ Arte – The First Art Gallery opened in the Old Principality of Seborga. A large variety of paintings by Impressionists are for viewing in the various rooms of the Gallery
• U Cuntadin – Typical products of Seborga, Olive Oil, Honey, Marmelades, Preserved Flowers, Ecological Cottage Industry
• Commestibili Liliana Viale – Products of Seborga Area, All Products Are BIO with no Conservatives, Local Wines and Liquors
• Richard Moisan -
• Le Beau Jardin.com – The Forest and Garden’s specialist for Southern France. Available for the entire French Cote D’ Azur and the Italian Riviera dei Fiori. Tree cutting and trimming. Plantation and Nursing of young trees, bushes. Perennial and Seasonal plants.

RESTAURANTS

• Restaurant Il Principe – Conveniently located in Seborga main Square. Pizzas, Raviolis, Rabbit Seborga Style. The ideal place to sip a local wine or a delicious capuccino soaking up the sun by the verenda.
• Hosteria Il Coniglio – This restaurant located in the historical center of Seborga is in fact a Medieval building reformed and reconverted in a modern Restaurant, keeping the flavor of the old times.
• Taverna Templare – Conveniently located in Seborga main Square. Pizzas, Raviolis, Rabbit Seborga Style. The ideal place to sip a local wine or a delicious capuccino soaking up the sun by the verenda.

OTHERS

• Agroflor Cooperativa – Fresh Flower and Foliage, Products of Seborga and the Area. All Products Are BIOCultivated
• Polisportiva Antico Principato Tennis Club – The Poly-Sporting Club of the Old Principality of Seborga has besides Tennis, a wide variety of sports such as Handball, Equitation, Bowls, Football and Martial Arts
• Botanicus – The Power of the Plants
• Club Croisette Cannes -

INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL BUSINESSES

REAL ESTATE, PERSONAL PLANNING

• Garfield Real Estate – International Properties Dealer, the Rivieras’ Specialist
• Riviera Homes -

TRAVEL

• Med Travel – Travel and Vacations Specialist of the Principalities, VIP Travel In The Old World At Relaxed Prices- EUROPE, Principality of Monaco, Principality of Andorra, Principality of Seborga
• Giampiero Borgna – Specialist of the Pre-Alpes and of the Hills Of Provence takes you on Trecking and Excursion Trips