This region is a rainbow of colors given by the mix of art, culture, landscapes and excellent cuisine, which make it the ideal destination for a truly unforgettable holiday.
Located in north-western Italy, Liguria lies between the Ligurian Apennines and the Ligurian Alps to the north and faces the Ligurian Sea to the south. Its coasts are high, rocky and jagged in the area of the Riviera di Levante, while in the Riviera di Ponente alternate rocks overlooking the sea with sandy beaches.
Fonte: viaggi.corriereobjects.it
Brief history of Liguria
Since the Neolithic, Liguria has been inhabited by the Ligurians; around the fourth century, instead, other civilizations begin to settle, such as the Celts and the Phoenicians, and then be conquered by the Romans in the second century B.C. Between Phoenicians and Romans never ran good blood, so much so that the former allied themselves with both the Carthaginians and the Gauls to counter the advance of the Roman Empire and peace came only after massacres and destruction.
With the fall of the Roman Empire, Liguria passed into the hands of Goths, Lombards and Franks, and then was divided into several feudal states. The turning point took place around the year 1000 when Genoa, first as a free municipality and then as a maritime republic, began a hard clash with Venice to obtain the record in trade between the Mediterranean and the East.
Genoa lives its best moment during the government of the doge Andrea Doria, imposing on the whole region and moving the center of economic power towards finance through the establishment of the Bank of San Giorgio that, At the time, he was in charge of financing Spanish expeditions overseas. The fortunes of Genoa and all of Liguria, in fact, were deeply linked to Spain; when the latter began its slow decline between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, in fact, Genoa was affected by both the pressure to the north by the Savoy, both Napoleon. Eventually, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Fonte: siviaggia.it
During the Risorgimento, Genoa became the protagonist giving birth to famous people such as Nino Bixio, Giuseppe Mazzini and Goffredo Mameli but, above all, Giuseppe Garibaldi. And it is precisely here, in fact, that in 1892 the Italian Socialist Party was born.
During the two world wars, Liguria suffered greatly from the various naval and air raids, which helped create a strong resistance movement in the population. After the war, the territory became the scene of the large Fordist factory: numerous steel companies arose and many decided to move here leaving their home in the south. After the 70s that see Genoa among the cities hit by terrorism, the deindustrialization between the 80s and 90s of the last century changes face to the Ligurian society. Tourism becomes mass and Liguria immediately attracts Piedmontese and Lombards in search of the nearest sea. Today Liguria offers its beauty and culture to millions of visitors every year.
The 10 most beautiful places to see in Liguria
Liguria has the characteristic crescent shape: inside it offers a large number of attractions, ranging from the monumental to the landscape, able to offer great emotions and memorable moments.
Considered among the most beautiful regions of Italy, Liguria is rich in perfectly organized infrastructure that, together with the variety of beaches and hilly landscapes, make it a popular destination for both Italian and foreign visitors.
Here are the 10 essential stages during a stay in Liguria:
Genoa
As the capital, Genoa is the main point of reference for all those who decide to visit Liguria, especially if it is families with children; Here, in fact, is the Aquarium of Genoa where you can admire the largest exhibition of aquatic biodiversity in Europe.
Fonte: tourismmedia.italia.it
And not only that, because the city is rich in monuments of great historical and architectural interest, such as the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, the Doge’s Palace and the Rolli Palace System. Excellent also the museum offer of Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Spinola and Villa Croce
Le Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre are located on the coast of the Ligurian Riviera: these are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore which, since 1997, have become UNESCO World Heritage.
Fonte: liguria.info
Each of them is distinguished by its own peculiarities:
- Vernazza is the starting point for walks and excursions, famous for its many pedestrian paths;
- Monterosso is an excellent tourist destination, also because it offers the largest beach;
- Riomaggiore and Manarola are characterized by their clusters of houses in pastel tones placed on the mountains;
- Corniglia, however, is located on top of a long staircase of about 400 steps.
Riviera dei Fiori: Imperia, Ventimiglia, Cervo, Bordighera
The part of the coast that is located in the province of Imperia is really a spectacle: it starts, first of all, from the Natural Park of the Riviera dei Fiori, where sea and nature mix offering amazing views. The beaches are wide and sandy, perfect for those who want to sunbathe.
Fonte: siviaggia.it
Do not miss Cervo, a perched village that offers irresistible beaches and wild nature between hills and mountains, Bordighera, a former fishing village and today a popular tourist destination, and Ventimiglia.
Sanremo
Also in the Riviera dei Fiori here is Sanremo, famous for the homonymous Festival that hosts every year.
Fonte: expedia.com
Its historic center, called La Pigna, is famous for its carrugi (alleys) and its staircases leading to the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Costa, while the modern part coincides with Via Matteotti. Its landmark buildings are Villa Nobel and the botanical gardens of Villa Ormond.
Riviera delle Palme: Savona, Varazze, Noli, Finale ligure, Alassio
Fonte: visititaly.com
The Riviera delle Palme stretches from the Riviera Ligure di Ponente to the city of Savona and presents a really interesting morphological variety:
- Alassio, famous for the famous kisses that are cocoa and hazelnut based sweets, has a shallow and accessible to anyone;
- Caprazoppa and Finale Ligure enjoy a stony and sometimes sandy beach;
- Varigotti has a beach of fine sand and ivory color, which becomes white in Capo Noli;
- Bergeggi has immediately deep depths, while Varazze presents again the shades of ivory.
Grotte di Toirano
The Toirano Caves consist of a wonderful karst complex known for its beauty and archaeological value. It has two cavities: the Grotta di Bàsura and the Grotta di Santa Lucia Inferiore, which visitors can visit properly equipped.
Fonte: liguria.info
The tourist route is about 1300 meters long: you enter from the Bàsura and exit from Santa Lucia Inferiore and, in the meantime, you cross beautiful halls that house stalactites and stalagmites.
Camogli, Abbey of San Fruttuoso and Christ of the Abysses
Overlooking the Gulf of Paradise is Camogli, a seaside resort that enjoys a mild climate throughout the year. It houses a beautiful castle, called della Dragona, perched on the sea and is an excellent starting point for exploring the Portofino Park.
Fonte: lonelyplanetitalia.it
San Fruttuoso, however, can only be reached by sea on board private boats or local boats departing from Portofino; to visit the Abbey that, from a nest of pirates, has then turned into a residence for fishermen. Do not miss the Christ of the Abyss, 17 meters deep from the sea.
Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure
Known worldwide, the village of Portofino is the ideal destination for a romantic aperitif at sunset. Rich in fashionable shops and natural beauty, it also offers prestigious monuments such as the Church of San Martino, the Church of San Giorgio, the Hermitage of Sant’Antonio di Niasca, the Brown Castle and the Punta Chiappa Battery.
Fonte: italian-riviera.com
In the eastern area of the Portofino Promontory is Santa Margherita Ligure, where you can walk along the seafront and walk the old streets (creuse) that lead to the Convent of the Capuchin Fathers and the Church of San Giacomo di Corte.
Sestri Levante and Blackboard
In the Gulf of Tigullio is Sestri Levante, also known as the “city of the two seas” because of the two bays that surround the small island that coincides with the historic center and connects to the mainland through a small strip of land: the Bay of Silence and the Bay of Fairy Tales.
Fonte: liguria.info
In Sestri Levante you can admire Palazzo Durazzo Pallavicino, one of the landmark buildings, and Palazzo Fascie Rossi.
Not far away is Lavagna, perfect destination for summer holidays; its center is small, but offers beautiful and equipped beaches, a clear sea and excellent cuisine.
Gulf of Poets: La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici
Fonte: fanpage.it
Finally, it is recommended to visit one of the most picturesque areas of Liguria: the Gulf of Poets, so loved and described by many artists and poets. In particular:
- La Spezia, which is located in the center of the Gulf, and houses the Castle of San Giorgio, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Lia Museum and the Naval Museum;
- Portovenere, a small fishing village recognized Unesco World Heritage;
- Lerici, among the most beautiful seaside villages in Liguria, rich in golden beaches, medieval castles and villas surrounded by green nature.
What to eat in Liguria: typical dishes and wines
Anyone who is on holiday in Liguria can not but taste the traditional dishes of its cuisine; some specialties are known all over the world others, however, are just waiting to be savored and discovered on the spot.
Fonte: gamberorosso.it
Here are the best traditional Ligurian dishes to try:
- focaccia genovese: with its slightly golden color, crisp on the edges and soft in the center, is one of the symbols of Liguria;
- focaccia di Recco: unlike the one from Genoa, this type of focaccia is thin and crunchy and filled with dark cheese;
- chickpea farinata: it is made with chickpea flour, water and extra virgin olive oil, cooked in a copper pan and simply delicious;
- panissa: a walking snack very similar to a kind of polenta made from chickpea flour and water, fried at the moment is to be enjoyed when still hot;
- trofie with pesto: a must in Ligurian cuisine, which can also be served with the addition of green beans and potatoes;
- rabbit Ligurian: the delicate flavor of rabbit meat is associated with the strong and persistent of Taggia olives, pine nuts and red wine;
- corsetti: a medal-shaped paste to be seasoned with walnut sauce or pesto of aromatic herbs;
- pansotti: another type of ravioli-shaped pasta filled with wild herbs and topped with walnut sauce;
- gobeletti di Rapallo: typical cakes made with shortcrust pastry and stuffed with quince jam;
- Alassio baci: other sweets made with hazelnuts and cocoa stuffed with a chocolate ganache, similar to Baci di Dama.
In combination with these typical dishes can not miss the best local wines: Pigato, Vermentino, Moscatello Rossese and Granaccia, typical of the area between Savona and Imperia, not to mention Rossese di Dolceacqua and Ormeasco di Pornassio.
Do you understand why it is easy to fall in love with Liguria?
Copertina:italia
