Page 44 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

42  INTRODUCING THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A

Genoa’s Golden Age

The enterprising trading activities of Genoa’s great
shipowning families turned the city into a Mediterranean
power from the beginning of the 12th century. The exploits
of aristocratic dynasties such as the Doria family took the
Genoese to all corners of the known oceans. The growth
in Genoa’s power was consolidated with increasingly close
links to other cities in Liguria, which were often in Genoese The Mediterranean (1250)
control, and to the area around Asti (in Piedmont) and Genoese trade routes
Pisa trade routes
Provence, indispensable suppliers of salt, grain and Venetian trade routes
agricul tural produce. Simone Boccanegra became Genoa’s
first lifetime Doge in 1339, although the most powerful
institu tion during this period was the Banco di San Giorgio
(Bank of St George). In a city plagued by violent struggles Oberto Doria, founder
between rival factions, the bank maintained a neutral of the illustrious Genoese
position. At that time, thriving commercial houses from dynasty, acquired the town
of Dolceacqua in 1270.
all over Europe were represented in Genoa, and the
representatives of the Banco di San Giorgio became
familiar figures in treasuries all over Europe.

The Pisan fleet consisted
of 72 galleys. The defeat of
Pisa was dramatic: 5,000
men died and 11,000
prisoners were taken in
chains to Genoa.

Rivalry with Pisa and Venice
Genoa struggled against two rival powers,
Pisa and Venice. Pisa was defeated at
Meloria but, with the advance of the
Turks, Genoa saw her possessions in the
East increasingly under threat, and the
republic’s rivalry with Venice intensified.

Genoa expands its rule along the coast
Many cities along the Riviera di Ponente were
in Genoa’s orbit at the time, including Albenga,
which was forced to sign increasingly restrictive
pacts, until its final subjugation in 1251. Ventimiglia
yielded in 1261, followed in 1276 by Porto
Maurizio. Shown left is an engraving (1613) by
Magini of ships off the western riviera.

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