Engineer, local history expert

Stefano Canepa was born in Sanremo on 23rd May 1897.
A volunteer in the First World War, he returned from the front with a wound and a gold star for his activities in favour of the Fiuman cause.

Graduated in industrial engineering, in addition to his free profession and the organisation of the Engineers' Union, he devoted much of his time to the study of the history of Sanremo and to the defence of the monuments and works of art that still exist.
This last activity was of great importance during the Second World War: it is thanks to Canepa that many works of art, properly hidden, were able to return to adorn churches and public buildings.

Canepa is also responsible for the restitution by Genoa of the historical archives of Sanremo, stolen by Governor Pinelli during the revolution of 1753 and housed in Villa Zirio before finding its permanent home in the State Archives of Sanremo.

He published several publications on the history of our city and was awarded the title of meritorious citizen of Sanremo.

He died in 1980.

(source: Marco Mauro)