The village is located on the western Ligurian Riviera, about 13 km from the provincial capital, Imperia. The hamlet is composed of the central nucleus of Cipressa on the hill and the hamlet of Lingueglietta, extending down to the coast with the localities of Piani and Aregai.
The picturesque Lingueglietta, a hillside hamlet in the municipality of Cipressa, still bears in its name that of the noble Lengueglia family, lords of the area during the Middle Ages, and has been recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Its medieval urban layout remains intact.
Fortress Church of San Pietro
The church, dating back to the mid-13th century and a symbol of the village of Lingueglietta, is a unique example of a religious building transformed into a fortress during the Barbary raids that plagued the Western Ligurian coast around the mid-16th century. It blends late medieval religious architecture with 16th-century military architecture, creating an ensemble of rare and striking beauty. The apse, in particular, remains perfectly preserved and bears witness to an ancient effort to lighten the imposing stone walls. The single-nave interior retains its original slab flooring. The deconsecrated church has been beautifully restored and is now used for civil wedding ceremonies.