 It is located in the center of the intersection of the rivers Stura, Angassino and Ponzema, from Genoa, and part of its territory to the west is within the boundaries of the Parco naturale regionale del Beigua, while in the east borders the Parco delle Capanne di Marcarolo.The place name refers to a 3rd-century AD Roman fortified settlement built during the reign of Emperor Aurelian, reinforced by the Byzantines in the 6th century.The first parish, San Michele, is probably dating back to the 10th century.