In 1528 all Patrizie families were divided into 28 groups, called "alberghi". Each of them had to have a name that all the families belonging to it had to take in place of their own name or in addition to it. In 1569, for instance, there was a Doge from Moneglia whose name was Paolo Giustiniani-Monelia. Among the families which were part of De Monelia, we remember the De Bocchini’s - whose descendent "Andreas de Monelia quodam Petri olim de Bocchinis" married in 1510 Catherine, daughter of Niccolò Fregoso - and the Di Piazza’s from which a famous jurisconsult "Paolo Monelia olim Piazza" descents. The Bollo family,
in 1561, were part of the Imperiale "albergo". This group of Patrizie families gave to Genoa four Dogi and some Cardinals. Other important Moneglia citizens were Stefano Mutini, admiral of Genoa Republic navy and sea prefect under Pope Alessandro VI and his son, Lorenzo Mutini, who had the same role under Pope Giulio II. Luca Cambiaso painter was born in Moneglia on October 18, 1527, as well as Clemente Dolera, born on May 21, 1501. Even if Clemente Dolera was coming from a humble family he became general minister of Francescani order and also Cardinal. The Moltedos family richness was inherited by Lord Felice Romani who, born in Genoa on January 31, 1788, always considered himself a citizen of Moneglia. He became a writer of librettos at Milano Scala from 1813 writing G. Rossini (Il turco in Italia, 1814), V. Bellini (I Capuleti ed i Montecchi, 1830 - Norma e La sonnambula, 1831), G. Donizzetti (Anna Bolena, 1830 - L’elisir d’amore, 1832 - Lucrezia Borgia, 1833) and died in Moneglia on January 28 1865. In 1549 Moneglia citizens asked to Genoa senate the permission to build a tower to defend Moneglia against pirates. Its name is Villafranca Fortress, and between 1936 and 1939 it was used as a residence by Burgos and afterwards was almost destroyed during World war in June 1944. Today it has been restored along with its park by Comune di Moneglia and destined to public use. In 1637 Levanto became the centre of Capitaneato including also Moneglia Podesteria. During the Austrian secession war, when in Genoa the famous Balilla throw of a stone against Austrian army took place, Moneglia was occupied by the Spanish army, as some historical acts of the S. Croce archive, report. We hopefully still have this information nevertheless the collapse, on September 16 - 1725, of its central nave. that caused the death of 21 people with some 30 people wounded. In 1748 the French army conquered Moneglia and in 1797 was the turn of Genoa. As a matter of fact a democratic government was established in Genoa and the Genoa republic became the Ligure Republic. With this change family titles were abolished and the state territory was divided into 20 jurisdictions including 156 districts. Moneglia along with Lemeglio and S. Saturnino became the seventh district of the fifth jurisdiction of Gromolo and Vara. Moneglia had a peace judge. In 1803 Moneglia joined Sestri Levante district that was merged to the Entella Jurisdiction. When Napoleon became emperor this district joined the Appennini department governed by a "maire" and a council. Taxes increased a lot and Moneglia habitants had to join the army; many of them died during battles throughout Europe. On July 11 1809, Pope Pio VII, French prisoner, directed to Savona, passed through Bracco hamlet where Moneglia citizens reserved him a very big welcome. With the end of Napoleon empire, Liguria was joined to Sardegna kingdom and Moneglia Moved to the Chiavari province..Tratti da www.moneglia.com/storia.htm
