This is the most densely populated municipality of the Vallefontanabuona and has always been the centre of social and commercial life of the entire area.
It is situated on a flat area along the River Lavagna by the ancient Fieschi bridge.
Founded in very ancient times, the administrative importance of the center increased in 1815, when Liguria was annexed to the Savoy state.
In 1848, Giuseppe Garibaldi was elected to the Sub-Alpine Parliament in this constituency.
Cicagna is famous as a center for the mining and working of slate. The old factory in Chiapparino forms part of the Slate Museum: it dates back to the late nineteenth century and is today used an exhibition area showing all present-day uses of black slate, ranging from school blackboards, billiard tables, window sills, clocks and dishes. In the Town Hall (Council Chamber) there is an admirable slate bas-relief made by the Italo-Peruvian sculptor Vittorio Tollo Mazzola, comprising several scenes illustrating the history of the municipality.
Palazzo Cavagnari, a wonderful nineteenth century building, is the home of the Fontanabuona Mountain Community.
The sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli, lying in the heart of the town, is a well-known attraction for pilgrims descending from emigrants (a monument was dedicated to them on the occasion of the Columbus celebrations in 1992). The cult dates back to a miraculous blossoming that occurred in 1537.
A larger church had to be built due to the number of pilgrims: the original eleventh-century bell-tower is still standing. Since the 450th anniversary in 1987, ten niches have been erected, one for each of the districts.
Sister Maria Rosa Blandina, "Sister Blandina", was born in Cicagna in 1850. She moved to Cincinnati with her family in 1854, where she took holy orders and founded numerous missions in the western part of the United States. She is famous above all for her friendship with Billy the Kid, whom she treated when he was wounded and visited when he was in prison.
