One of the finest Italian stretches of coastline
LIGURIA
During the pre-Roman period Liguria was a wide tongue of land
stretching from the present Tuscany to the French Cote d'Azur. In the
following centuries a history of struggles against Moor invaders
brought the inhabitants to develop its own distinct identity and
character. Genoa in the 10th century was already a powerful commercial
center; its fleet that founded colonies all around the Mediterranean
sea and in 1162 the city became one of the 5 great Marine Republic. The commercial and military success brought by its powerful fleet generated wealth and underlined the political importance of Genoa.
After a long period of bad luck and a heavy loss of its colonies the Republic was annexed to France during the Reign of Napoleon. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, the Ligurian region was absorbed by the Kingdom of Sardinia.
In 1821 the Genoese rose up against the House of Savoy in an explosion of nationalism and resistance and after the WWII the region's economic growth flourished and Liguria played an important role in the industrialization of Italy, particularly it contributed increasing the maritime traffic through the port of Genoa, considered one of the largest and busiest ports in the whole Mediterranean basin.
ART AND CULTURE
Genovese are said to be patient and hard-working, shrewd, tough, but also adventurous and independent in spirit.
These characteristics are recognizable in the regional events and the local folklore reflects the culture and the traditions still deeply rooted in the Ligurian souls.
Each traditional event or festival, every religious ceremony or celebration evoke the past, the costumes, the rich history and basically the determined spirit of the Ligurian people.
THINGS TO DO
Liguria has something to offer
to everyone. From the beautiful sandy beaches of the Riviera di Ponente
to the terraced hills and the beautiful villages and cities, it is the
perfect place in any season. You can sail and dive or make the most of
the Ligurian spectacular mountains, which offer you trekking, mountain
biking, climbing and rafting opportunities.
It you are not really keen on
visiting art cities you will love Liguria and its famous Cinque Terre Five Lands) that are probably one of the most romantic and beautiful
landscape you would ever seen in the whole world.
Cinque Terre is nothing but an uneven portion of coast where the Ligurian people of the area has carefully and patiently built over centuries beautiful terraces on the rough, steep landscape right up to the cliff that overlooks the Ligurian gulf. Some of its charm is due to the lack of modernity; in fact the coast is reachable just through paths, trains and boats while visitors' cars are not allowed.
The villages comprises in the Cinque Terre are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Roimaggiore and Menarola and both the villages and their surrounding coastlines are part of the Cinque Terre National Park and in its whole it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre was created by the Italian Ministry for the Environment in 1998 to protect the Natural environment (both Earthly and Marine), to conserve the ecological balance, safeguard the landscape and to promote a socio-economical development compatible with the natural landscape of the area.
Liguria is not just sea and romantic landscapes. Genoa is one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean Sea; it is still largely marked by its glorious past as Marine Republic and queen of the Tyrrhenian Sea and its history reflects in a city center of incomparable fascination.
It is a brilliant example of European medieval city almost entirely preserved in its monuments and buildings such as the palaces of Via Aurea, the beautiful Commenda di Prč and the impressive Genoese Castle.
Do not forget to visit the Ducal Palace, right in the city center and seat of the government since the 11th century. The palace became the residence of the Dogi (the governors of the city) in the 12th century and it was recently restored after centuries of alterations, fires and destructions. This authentic symbol of the city is now center of the most prestigious cultural events from both the city and the surrounding area.
A part of its great city center the Ligurian capital offers to its visitors two important attractions that call thousands of foreigners every year:
The "Lanterna", a lighthouse at 117 meters above the sea level that illuminates up to a distance of 36 sea miles and considered one of the oldest lighthouses still in operation.
Cinque Terre is nothing but an uneven portion of coast where the Ligurian people of the area has carefully and patiently built over centuries beautiful terraces on the rough, steep landscape right up to the cliff that overlooks the Ligurian gulf. Some of its charm is due to the lack of modernity; in fact the coast is reachable just through paths, trains and boats while visitors' cars are not allowed.
The villages comprises in the Cinque Terre are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Roimaggiore and Menarola and both the villages and their surrounding coastlines are part of the Cinque Terre National Park and in its whole it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre was created by the Italian Ministry for the Environment in 1998 to protect the Natural environment (both Earthly and Marine), to conserve the ecological balance, safeguard the landscape and to promote a socio-economical development compatible with the natural landscape of the area.
Liguria is not just sea and romantic landscapes. Genoa is one of the most important ports of the Mediterranean Sea; it is still largely marked by its glorious past as Marine Republic and queen of the Tyrrhenian Sea and its history reflects in a city center of incomparable fascination.
It is a brilliant example of European medieval city almost entirely preserved in its monuments and buildings such as the palaces of Via Aurea, the beautiful Commenda di Prč and the impressive Genoese Castle.
Do not forget to visit the Ducal Palace, right in the city center and seat of the government since the 11th century. The palace became the residence of the Dogi (the governors of the city) in the 12th century and it was recently restored after centuries of alterations, fires and destructions. This authentic symbol of the city is now center of the most prestigious cultural events from both the city and the surrounding area.
A part of its great city center the Ligurian capital offers to its visitors two important attractions that call thousands of foreigners every year:
The "Lanterna", a lighthouse at 117 meters above the sea level that illuminates up to a distance of 36 sea miles and considered one of the oldest lighthouses still in operation.
The "Acquario di Genova" the largest Aquarium in Europe considered an important point of reference both for the city and the scientific world. The Aquarium boasts 600 different aquatic species that have been placed inside a faithfully reconstructed environment taht covers a surface of 10.000 square meters.
EVENTS
Most of the numerous
traditional Ligurian events reflect in an impressive way the glorious
past of Genoa and its surrounding areas. During the Holy Week (the week
that leads to Easter day), do not miss the processions of the Casacce and of the sepulchres, along with religious theatrical performances across the towns.
In Spring instead if you are lucky to be in Liguria in the right year you could assist the Regata delle Repubbliche Marinare which takes place every four years. This spectacular boat race involves the four ancient Marine Republics: Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice.