A Memorable Encounter in Bordighera on the Italian Riviera, Bordighera, Italy

I was perplexed. The signs I had been following had petered out for a third time. As I stood on the hill above the Porta Sottana inside the old town of Bordighera two distinguished gentleman entered the old town. For a split second they were perfectly framed by the old gate. Without thinking I raised my camera and pressed the shutter. After a brief conversation the two men parted and the one pushing an antiquated bicycle walked towards me. As he drew level with me he asked if I had taken a photo. Sheepishly I admitted that I had. I fell into step with him and asked if he knew the whereabouts of the Fondazione Pompeo Mariana. 

As we walked we talked. I told him that my visit to Bordighera on the Italian Riviera had started in the centre of town where I had quickly discovered the Tourist Information Centre. I was given a town map, a list of important places to visit and a suggestion that I start by walking along the sea front. As the railway runs along the sea front in Bordighera I had to find one of the regular underpasses that go under the railway line. As I came into the town I had seen an unusual church and decided to re-trace my steps and have a closer look. Chiesa dell’Immacolata Concezione does not look typically Italian. It was designed and built by the French architect Charles Garnier who decided to give it an Asian twist. Garnier was famous as the creator of the Paris Opera House and the casino of Monte Carlo but he left his mark on Bordighera where he spent a lot of his time. Garnier died before the church was finished and his son Christian personally financed and completed the works which included the bell tower. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).