18 
ALASSIO AND ITS FLORA 
teenth century. Between 1306 and 1310 was 
built the church of Nostra 8ignora della 
Caritdy with an hospital annexed and an 
asylum for pilgrims, containing twenty six 
beds, from which fact we conclude that 
the ancient Alassians besides being pious, 
delighted in acting generously to the poor 
and unfortunate. 
At this time the seafaring profession 
commenced to be, if not the sole, at all" 
events the principal occupation of the 
people of Alassio, and in 1358 we meet 
with two Alassian galleys in the famous 
enterprise of ZerM under the command 
of Raffaele Adorno, At the same time the 
trade in coral was renowned as may be 
seen by many documents, the most ancient 
of which bears the date of 1428. In the 
same years however, the country having 
increased in trade, industry and popula- 
tion, the fatal quarrel between Alassio and 
Albenga broke out. But it pleased Heaven 
that Fra Giovanni Tagliacarne, coming to 
these parts to preach, succeeded, though 
but a poor friar, in pacifying all discord, 
and sealed a peace confirmed with solemn 
