Page 115 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

THE RIVIER A DI LE V ANTE  113

many years. In the centre, the
parallel streets Via Venezia, Via
Mazzini and Via Marsala define
the medieval “borgo murato”
(walled village), so-named
because of the way the buildings
are closely packed together.
Historic monuments include
the old parish church of Santo
Stefano (mostly 17th century)
and the adjacent 15th-century
civic tower, and the medieval
Ponte di Annibale (Hannibal’s
bridge), with a single-span
arch of 15 m (49 ft).
The seafront at Santa Margherita Ligure From Piazza Pastene, on the
seafront, the Castello can be
they even fought with Napoleon. out of the two villages of reached. It was built in 1551 on
Camogli’s fishing fleet today is Pescino and Corte. It soon a cliff to defend the settlement
tiny by comparison. became a popular destination against pirate raids. There is
The museum contains models among the (mainly British) also a highly enjoyable funicular
of ships, navigational instruments holidaying elite. ride up to the Santuario di
and also paintings of ships (often The hill between the two old Montallegro (16th century),
by the ships’ owners), which villages has been transformed from where there are superb
served as ex votos. The cloister into the public Parco di Villa views of the coast and the sea.
next to the sanctuary of Nostra Durazzo. The villa at the top, Villa Tigullio is home to the
Signora del Boschetto, just begun in the mid-16th century, Museo del Merletto, a museum
outside Camogli, is also full of still has its original furnishings, of lace with more than 1,400
sailors’ ex votos. as well as an art collection. The pieces from the 16th to 19th
If you are visiting the area in large Italian-style garden offers centuries. Among these are lace
May, do not miss the famous lovely views of the city and clothing, lace for furnishing, and
Sagra del Pesce, when vast the sea. several 18th–19th century
numbers of fish are cooked in At the foot of the hill, in pillows. There is also a collection
a giant frying pan (see p32). the district known as Corte, is of lace designs.
the 17th-century church of
E Museo Gio Bono Ferrari the Cappuccini, with a 15th- Environs
Via GB Ferrari, 41. Tel 0185 729 049. cen tury wooden cross. Just east of Rapallo, Zoagli is a
Open 9am–noon Mon, Thu & Fri; small resort which has the feel
9am–noon, 3–6pm Wed, Sat, Sun & of an old fishing village despite
hols (4–7pm Jun–Sep). 6 Rapallo being bombed in World War II.
4 Portofino Genoa. Road Map E4. * 29,300. E Museo del Merletto
Peninsula V @ n Lungomare Vittorio Villa Tigullio, Parco Casale. Tel 0185
Veneto 7, 0185 230 346. _ Mostra 633 05. Open 10am–noon Thu (to
See pp114–15. Internazionale dei Cartoonists 7pm Wed, Fri & Sat in summer).
(Nov–Dec); Festa della Madonna Closed Mon & Tue. &
di Montallegro (Jul).
5 Santa Margherita ∑ turismoinliguria.it
Ligure
Rapallo enjoys a gorgeous
Genoa. Road Map E4. * 10,800. position on the Golfo del
V @ n Via XXV Aprile 2/B, 0185 Tigullio and is perhaps the best-
287 485. _ Nostra Signora della Rosa known resort along the Riviera
(Jul). ∑ turismoinliguria.it di Levante. It has a large marina,
swimming pool, sailing, tennis
Built along an inlet on the Golfo and riding schools, as well as an
del Tigullio, Santa Margherita is 18-hole golf course.
a lively resort with a beautiful The climate was a big
harbour and grand hotels and attraction for aristocrats from
villas. The lavish rococo church the 19th century, as can be seen
of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia from the Art Nouveau cafés and
gave the town its name. hotels lining Lungomare
Santa Margherita emerged Vittorio Veneto. Max Beerbohm
in its own right only in the 19th (1872–1956), the English wit The castle at Rapallo, a defensive structure
century, when it was created and critic, was a resident for dating from 1551

112-113_EW_Italian_Riviera.indd 113 09/09/16 10:44 am