Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italian Riviera

44  INTRODUCING THE IT ALIAN RIVIER A

although Genoa succeeded in eliminating
Pisan influence from the Tyrrhenian Sea
and from its major islands, taking decisive
control of Corsica and defeating Pisa at the
Battle of Meloria in 1284, the conflict with
Venice was more protracted.
The Genoese defeated the Venetian fleet
in the Battle of Curzola in the Adriatic in
1298, but were unable to reap the fruits of
this victory and turn the situation in the East
to their advantage. Turkish pressure led to
an allian ce with Venice (1343) which was of
brief duration. The last war between Genoa
and Venice (a result of both cities setting
their sights on Cyprus) was decisive. The
Andrea Doria in a portrait by Sebastiano del Piombo battles of Pola (1379) and Chioggia (1380)
led to the Pace di Torino (Peace of Turin),
Clashes with Other which heralded the final decline of
Maritime Republics Genoese hegemony.
The centuries that witnessed the great
geographical and commercial expansion The Republic of Genoa
around the Mediterranean of Italy’s The period of the great continental
maritime republics, also saw Genoa extend struggles between the papacy and the
its tentacles in all directions. With the Holy Roman Empire by no means spared
Crusades – from the first, which brought Genoa and other Ligurian cities. The
about the capture of Jerusalem, to the ill- international nature of the struggle meant
fated expedition of King Louis IX of France that foreign princes – such as the Visconti
to North Africa – Genoa acquired ports of Milan, summoned by the Ghibellines of
and also maone (associations the Riviera di Ponente, or Robert
involved in the financing of of Anjou, who intervened in
commercial enterprises), in all favour of the Guelphs – became
corners of the Mediterranean. involved in Liguria’s local conflicts.
She then extended her sphere During this period, Genoa
of influence towards the east was governed for almost two
and to the ports of the Black centuries by life-appointed
Sea – important trading stations doges, a position inaugurated
on the Silk Road. in the 14th century. In 1522,
It was a time of increasingly Emperor Charles V, allied to however, their relatively peaceful
tough alliances and clashes: Andrea Doria rule over Genoa was shattered

1245–1252
Construction 1252 The genovi no 1284 Victory
of the basilica is coined, Europe’s of Genoa over 1339 Simone
dei Fieschi di first gold coin Pisa at Meloria Boccanegra becomes
San Salvatore the first doge of Genoa
Battle of Meloria
1250 1300 1350
1298 Genoese victory
1251 Savona is over Venice at Curzola 1361 San Remo
attacked 1262 Ventimiglia, becomes a free
by Genoa defeated, comes under commune
Genoese influence

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