Moneglia is mentioned in a donation act of the year 1033. In this act marquis Adalberto gave to the monastery N.S. of Castiglione from Parma the "decima" (a tax) on his ownership "in loci ... Monelia".
In 641 Rotari, King of Longobards, sacked many hamlets of Riviera included Moneglia.It seems that at the beginning of the XI century the hamlet of Lemeglio had been destroyed by an horde of Saracen soldiers - leaded by the wild Mugiahid - already housed in Luni on the Magra river. Besides killing many people they also kidnapped 22 women.When Genoa and its territory moved from the Longobard to the French domination some Counts and some Marquises were created. The Marquis Oberto of Este was the Liguria chef. In 1027 Arrigo IV king of Germany and Italy confirmed the rights of brothers Ugo and Fosco, sons
of Azzo, Marquis of Este, regarding the Liguria goods, including Moneglia. In 1299 Moneglia and may other towns of that area swore loyalty to Azzo VIII of Este, duke of Modena. In 1173, when Moneglia was part of Genoa Republic, the construction of Monleone fortress was decided. This fortress was located on a hillock to defend the occidental part of the town. It was built in a very short time by the Ingone of Flessa consul. In 1174 it was besieged by Count Obizzo Malaspina armies who, pushed by the Pisa Republic (old enemy of Genoa’s) took control of the town along with Counts Da Passano and Lavagna’s armies
leading 3000 infantrymen and 150 cavaliers. The Castle garrison held out a very long time allowing Genoa Republic to send an army that defeated the enemy taking control also of Conti Da Passano castle. On it’s ruins, located on Crova hamlet, it seems they built a country-house called "La Passana". During Meloria naval battle, in 1294, Genoa defeated Pisa causing losses of more then 12000 among dead and wounded. It seems that also people from Moneglia took part of that battle. Among Moneglia soldiers had an important role Ascasera and Trancheo Stanco. Genoa decided to give them some of the rings of the chain used to close Pisa port. These rings were wall up on Santa Croce church overhanged by a relief depicting two cavaliers treading upon a dragon and by the following sentence: "IN NOMINE DOMINI AMEN MCCLXXXX OC CADENA TULERUNT DE PORTU PISA NUV UM OC OPUS FECIT FIERI DOMINO TRANCHEUS STANCO DE MUNELIA", that means: "In the name of God Amen. Year 1290. This chain was taken away from Pisa port . The stone was placed by Trancheo Stanco by Moneglia". The Guelfi (siding with the Pope) and the Ghibellini (siding with the emperor) developed in Genoa too.. In the east Riviera the Guelfi were in majority.
To help Ghibellini, Castruccio Castracani, Lucca’s Lord (1281-1328), took possession of the area between Magra and Sestri Levante including Moneglia. When was elected Doge Simone Boccanegra, in 1339, all the castles and the Riviera towns were given back to Genoa Republic. In 1396 Charles VI, King of France, conquered Genoa. He governed it with the help of new powerful families as the Asseretos’, coming from Recco and Rapallo. In 1397 the important family of Bertolotti from Levanto, allied to Malaspina family and with local Ghibellini, attached and conquered the Monleone Castle and killed the Castle lord and eighteen of his men. Moneglia was sacked and burned and all Guelfi’s hoses were destroyed. In 1423 the notary Biagio Assereto became Genoa Governor and married the reach Pometta di Teramo by Moneglia increasing his influent position. In 1425 Moneglia, while Genoa was leaded by Visconti Duchi of Milano, was conquered by Tommaso Campofregoso navy previously Doge and at that time Lord of Sarzana. During these battles Pieve di Moneglia bell tower was destroyed. Inhabitants of S. Saturnino, Tesii, Cerro and Monte took part of this action. During the following decades, Genoa drove away the Viscontis (1435) but Francesco Sforza took over them in 1464. His armies sacked Moneglia in 1477 because the Moneglieses had defended Lavagna Counts. Because of this Moneglia had to pay 2000 scudos. During Genoa domination Moneglia was governed by a "Podestà" who was also leading the castles of Lemiglio, Deiva, Mezzema, Agnora, Littorno, Scarno, Stozio, Comeglio, Camposoprano, Camposottano, San Saturnino Tessi, Borghetto, Bracco, Casale, Vallecalda,
San Lorenzo, and Crova. The "Patrizi" was a title that Genoa was used to give, since long-time, to very important families which had government responsibilities. This title was given also to these families who had played a role in an emergency situation or had given their money to they native country. This happened to Monelia family who moved to Genoa in 1526 where they got the Patriziato.
Tratti da www.moneglia.com/storia.htm