The Basilica of San Giovanni Battista , dedicated to the patron saint of Oneglia, stands in the square of the same name, a short distance from the sea and the port.

Its elegant, richly decorated Baroque façade creates an interesting contrast with the austere neoclassical monumentality of the Cathedral of San Maurizio in Porto Maurizio, representing two of the main architectural expressions of the city of Imperia.

The Basilica of San Giovanni Battista was consecrated in 1762 , as the plaque on the facade recalls.

The building suffered significant damage during the 1887 earthquake and was subsequently restored.

More recent interventions have allowed the delicate original colors of the façade to be recovered and returned to the Basilica its ancient splendor.

Inside the Basilica, the gaze is captured by the rich golden decorations , the precious statues, the elegant frescoes and the plays of light created by the stained glass windows , which contribute to creating a particularly evocative atmosphere.

Three cannonballs are still visible on the external wall of the apse. They recall the bombardment of Oneglia carried out by the French revolutionary fleet on 23 October 1792 , leaving a singular testimony to the city's history.

Saint John the Baptist , the patron saint of Oneglia, is celebrated every year on June 24th . Numerous initiatives and events are traditionally organized on the occasion, including spectacular fireworks displays.

The patron saint of Porto Maurizio is San Maurizio , celebrated on September 22. Since 1991 , San Leonardo da Porto Maurizio , celebrated on November 26, has been the patron saint of the city of Imperia.