Page 43 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

THE HIST OR Y OF THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A  41

Maritima Italorum by its Mediterranean islands of
new rulers. Corsica and Sardinia. Genoese
The period of Byzantine ships from the ports of Noli
rule came to a close with the and Savona also took part in
arrival in 641 of the Lombards, the Crusades.
led by King Rothari. The
towns of Liguria became part Genoa Expands
of a Frankish territory which Along the Coast
included tracts of land which Besides its growing power
now form part of Tuscany. The at sea, Genoa also sought to
Saracens made incursions in Battle with the Saracens, expand its sphere of influence,
901, often from bases in the a 14th-century miniature both commer cially and
south of France. Later in the militarily, on dry land. Genoa
10th century, during the reign of gained control of cities, valleys and the
Berengarius, northeast Italy was divided mountain passes linking the coast to
into three: Obertenga, to the east, included the Po valley, and even extended its
Genoa, Aleramica, in the centre, included dominion along the banks of that great
Albenga, and Arduinica, to the west, river – a move crucial to a republic
included Ventimiglia. The families who dependent on agricultural provisions.
had control of these territiories (such as After a century of clashes, battles
the Del Carretto) found themselves in a and alliances, by 1232 virtually the
powerful position that lasted for centuries. entire Riviera di Levante coast was
effectively under Genoese control.
The Rise of Genoa Among the cities which clashed most
Around the year 1000, the golden age violently with Genoa were Ventimiglia
of the free communes dawned. Their (which fell in 1262) and Savona,
main activities revolved around maritime which, following a long fight for
trade and the arming of commercial or independence, surrendered in 1528.
military fleets. In this era of economic
and political development, Genoese
predominance became increasingly
noticeable, though life was not entirely
peaceful. In the mid-12th century, the
city built a new wall to protect it against
the ravages of Emperor Frederick I,
known as Barbarossa. Never theless,
after the independence of the Genoese
commune was recognized, it began to
compete with Pisa for control of the The port of Genoa as portrayed in a 16th-century painting

1099 The
“Compagna”, 1133
890 Beginning of 984 Benedictines a pact between Genoa
raids by Saracens rebuild the Abbey the districts of becomes
based in France of San Fruttuoso Genoa, is set up the seat of
a bishopric
600 800 1000
935 Sacking of Genoa by 1097 Genoa 1162 The Holy Roman
the Arabs contributes ten Emperor recognizes
galleys to the the autonomy
Cross of a knight who took part first Crusade of Genoa
in the first Crusade

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