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The Muretto of Alassio

The Muretto of Alassio, also known as the wall of love and the artists’ wall, is an installation in the center of Alassio, along Corso Dante Alighieri. It is a wall made of stones, distinguished by the addition of small ceramic tiles. These tiles are decorated with signatures of famous people, coats of arms of Italian and foreign towns, and sculptures. Located near the Charlie Chaplin playground and the square with the war memorial, it stands opposite Caffè Roma. The idea of beautifying an “anonymous and bare wall” was conceived there in 1953 by Mario Berrino, together with his brother Giorgio and the American writer Ernest Hemingway. It is one of the town’s most emblematic symbols.

Decorated stone wall of the Muretto di Alassio with a sign at the top and ceramic tiles covered in signatures and sketches.
The Muretto di Alassio, decorated with ceramic tiles and embedded details.
August 2024 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Muretto of Alassio stone wall decorated with colorful ceramic tiles, a bronze figure perched on top, and a small crest pillar near steps.
The Muretto of Alassio features a long stone wall covered with signed ceramic tiles and a bronze figure above it.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Muretto of Alassio bronze sculpture of a seated man and woman embracing on a decorated stone wall
The Muretto of Alassio features a bronze couple seated on the famous wall decorated with ceramic tiles and signatures.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
The Muretto of Alassio lovers statue, a bronze couple seated on a wall covered with colorful ceramic tiles and signatures.
The Statua degli Innamorati on the Muretto of Alassio, with a bronze couple seated above the wall of signed tiles.
March 2024 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
The Muretto of Alassio, a stone wall covered with colorful signed ceramic tiles and a bronze couple sculpture.
The Muretto of Alassio features a mosaic of signed tiles and small sculptures along a seaside walkway.
© · CC BY 3.0

Identification

TitleMuretto di Alassio
Alternative namesmuretto dell'amore; muretto degli artisti; Alassio wall
Typeinstallation; wall monument in the style of a Walk of Fame
Original languageItalian

Location and ownership

LocationCenter of Alassio, Liguria, Italy, along Corso Dante Alighieri; in front of Caffè Roma; near the beach; next to the Charlie Chaplin playground and the square with the war memorial
Later wallStarting in 2013, a new wall near the original one, at the initial end of Corso Dante Alighieri in the Morteo gardens, was decorated by American artist Sandra Cache

Physical characteristics

Later wall typeWall artwork / small wall installation
Wall before decorationAn empty, anonymous wall near a coffee shop
FormWall
Approximate number of tilesAbout 1,000

Materials

Later wall materialTiles
Main materialStone wall with ceramic tiles
Added sculpture materialBronze

Appearance

DecorationCovered with small ceramic tiles bearing reproductions of famous people’s autographs, as well as coats of arms and other emblems
Subjects representedAutographs of famous Italian and international people; coats of arms of Italian and foreign municipalities, associations, and clubs; sculptures; Hansel and Gretel
Public inscriptionsTiles signed by many well-known Italian and international people
Later wall special featureTiles dedicated to guide dogs for the blind are highlighted
Later wall decorationPlates depicting pets, especially dogs and guide dogs; animals including rabbits and cats

History and restoration

Later wall inspirationInspired by the Muretto di Alassio
Later wall inauguration date25 March 2013
End of Miss MurettoEnded by contest director Francesco di Biase, nephew of Mario Berrino, to refocus attention on the wall; lack of funds and declining interest in beauty contests may also have contributed
Notable Miss Muretto winnersSimona Ventura (1986); Maria Teresa Ruta (1977)
Last Miss Muretto winnerCalina Simona Pletosu
Miss Muretto contestA beauty contest that emerged around the wall in summer 1953 and ran from 1953 to 2013
Later additionsOver the years, the wall received autographs of people who visited Alassio; coats of arms of municipalities, associations, and clubs
First tiles installedErnest Hemingway's tile, followed by tiles for Quartetto Cetra and Cosimo di Ceglie
Preexisting customMario Berrino had already been collecting autographs of famous people who frequented his bar
Idea conceived1953
Creation periodBetween 1951 and 1953
InitiatorMario Berrino
Added sculptureBronze statue of the Lovers placed above the low wall
Growth of the wallThe number of tiles increased gradually day by day
Early public reactionThe next morning the first three tiles were visible and nobody objected
Installation methodInstalled at night or at dawn to avoid bureaucratic complications and avoid arousing suspicion among residents
Associated peopleGiorgio Berrino; Ernest Hemingway
PurposeTo transform the bare, anonymous wall in front of Mario Berrino's bar into a decorated wall with signed tiles

Creator

Added sculpture artistEros Pellini
Later wall artistSandra Cache

Significance

Cultural significanceOne of the most emblematic symbols of Alassio, together with the Baci di Alassio
Cultural roleBecame a popular meeting place for young people
Local nicknameAlassio is sometimes called the City of the Muretto
Touristic significanceA popular destination for tourists from all over the world
Historical significanceSince the years of its construction, it has been considered a symbol of Alassio