Cities of Italy::
RAPALLO By:
www.italiapervoi-casa.it
Position Rapallo is one of the most beautiful municipalities overlooking the sea of the province of Genoa, in Liguria. It is placed in the western part of the Gulf of Tigullio, in a continuous show of beach resorts and social life that runs from Sestri Levante to Santa Margherita Ligure. The town of Rapallo developed between two main streams the Boate and the San Francesco, that flow through the borders and the small hamlets, all very striking, clinging to the karstic mountains and hills. Its urban area, the largest among the neighbouring municipalities, includes the adjoining areas of Santa Margherita and Portofino on the west side and Zoagli on the east side, representing not only an important crucial point for overseas guests, surprising people for its mild climate even during the winter.
How to reach By air: the nearest airport is the Cristoforo Colombo in Genoa, which is at about forty minutes distance the town center. The position of Rapallo, however, being fully provided by railway lines, allows to book even from the most distant airports of Linate and Malpensa, in Lombardy. The shuttle service to Milano central station is every half an hour, and it is possible to reach Rapallo in a couple of hours. By road: The motorway that connects to the exit
of Rapallo is the A12. However, for those coming from the north the first road to take is the Milano-Genoa A7, direction La Spezia, Rapallo exit. The Aurelia road allows to follow the coast, connecting Rapallo to Genoa on one side and to La Spezia on the east side. For those coming from France, after the border follow the A10 Genoa- Ventimiglia, A7 connecting to the A12 , which takes you straight to your destination. For those coming from the center of Italy, the Genoa – Rosignano A12 connects Liguria to more distant regions. There are also coaches that connect Rapallo to the above mentioned Milano and the major European countries, not to mention the fast trains and Trenitalia Frecce, leaving to and from the major cities. By sea:the company that handles the transport by sea is the Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio, which offers trips by ferry both in the Gulf, in the right seasons, towards the most beautiful destinations of the Levante, the Gulf of the Poets, Portovenere, Cinque Terre and Sestri Levante bay xxx. Departures from Rapallo towards Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, San Fruttuoso are available all the year round. There is of course a touristic port, the “Carlo Riva� built in the seventies. It has more than 500 berths
A bit of History The first news about a settlement in the area of Rapallo, dates back to 700 b.c.. Originally the village, belonging to a pre-roman period if not even Etruscan, was reinforced for defensive purpose by the Lombards, due to its strategic natural shape, protected by the mountains. The town was
evangelized by Colombanis monks, between the tenth and the eleventh century it was under the control of the Republic of Genoa, it became a podesteria, by signing an oath it obtained full protection. Rapallo took part to the expansion of Genoa, offering galley and service, later the town joined the fleet and fought against the town of Pisa, in the Meloria battle and against the Venetians Dogi In 1500 due to the robberies made by the pirates, a well known depredation was the one of Dragut, the defensive system of the whole Gulf increased. Not to mention the events that jade the population such as the plague, the leprosy, the invasions of the Anglo-Saxons, the tension among the Sforza, allied with Genoa, and the Aragonese army. A hundred years later Rapallo manages to survive without any harm from diseases and political tensions, with an increase of the population, becoming officially a Capitanato. Being in a strategic position, between the sea and the mountain passages, Rapallo continues to raise interest of the nearby places that are on the coast; during the XVII century Rapallo expands its jurisdiction from Portofino to Zoagli and inland. The arrival in Italy of Napoleone Bonaparte’s troops, ordained Rapallo as administrative centre of the department of the Tigullio Gulf, inside the Ligurian Republic part of the first French Empire. From the second half of the nineteenth century, Rapallo finally starts to take shape as the administrative centre that is nowadays. Luck starts with the construction of the railway that connects Genoa to Sestri Levante, the first train passage and the station were inaugurated on 31st October 1868. The persistent modernization of the rest of Liguria, by word of mouth of the nearby vacation places located on the coast, the weather considered magnificent
by the European middle class, allows the opening of the first hotels and coffee bars, not to mention the first beach resorts, crowded as ever during the summer season. At the beginning of the Twentieth century, Rapallo was a well known touristic centre, summoning guests like Nietzche, Listz, Maupassant, even Ernest Hemingway, who wrote “The cat under the rain� during his stay. The town managed to survive unharmed from both world wars, from a flood and, was also awarded as one of the protagonists of the Italian economic miracle of postwar. Rapallo remained an appreciated crossroad for tourists and summer residences of the Riviera.
How to move about Undoubtedly the town can be appreciated on foot, due to the very crowded junction of roads, byways from June to September. The ATP, the transport company of the province, manages the daily busses and coaches, which allow to move freely from your accommodation, at reasonable prices towards hilly hamlets and neighbouring municipalities of Santa Margherita- Portofino, Zoagli and Chiavari. Even the trips by ferry boat or motor vessel are very appreciated by the inhabitants of Rapallo. The company that is in charge of the maritime connection for tourist excursions, towards the nearest areas of the Region, is Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio, Consorzio Liguria Viamare and Sanremo Cetacei, offer the possibility of an excursion for cetacean sightseeing, whale watching, departures are from Genoa Porto Antico from April to October, during
zens, to protect not only the vegetation, but also the magnificent animals that live inside the reservations. Apart from the usual opportunists such as foxes and wild boars, the lack of polluting agents among the highest peaks is testified by the presence of deers and roe deers. In the inland valleys of the Appenine, the wolf has reappeared, the clear sky helps those fond of bird watching, allowing the spotting of the major European birds of prey. Just at a stone throw from Vittorio Veneto seafront, it is possible to enjoy, not only the healthy benefits of the sea, but its crystal blue panorama. The 13 sqm coast with its rocky coves and views is also among the jurisdiction of the Protected Natural Park Area of Portofino and Interesse Mediterraneo. The bathing zone is divided into three areas, two of which forbid hunting and diving, therefore it is always necessary to have the proper permits given by the Region. From the promontory of Portofino onwards the prohibition remains.
Rapallo’s Cooking
the summer season the departures are also from Varazze, Savona, Loano, Alassio and Andora; Navigazione Golfo dei Poeti of which we have already spoken about excursions on the east Riviera, towards the Cinque Terre and Portovenere and, daily stops at the Isle of Palmaria.
Nature The Ligurian Appenine, that conventionally marks the division between Lombardy and Liguria, has charming paths in the so called Alta via dei Monti Liguri. The mountains sloping towards the sea, create badlands and cliffs, representing one of the sought after destinations among the ligurian review, full of Mediterranean maquis and hidden clefts. Among the roads that connect Rapallo to the hamlets, the wonderful paths that start from Portofino, create a thick net of paths between the Gulf of Tigullio and the Paradise Gulf, climbing up to Passo Scoffera. The territory is part of the protected area of the Regional Natural Park of Portofino. The vegetation, due to the fact that it does not suffer jumps in temperature, is mainly of holly oaks, cork plants and colorful bushes of strawberry tree, but the real protagonist, from the east to Tigullio, is the maritime pine, that grows even at three hundred metres above the sea level. The preservation of flora and biodiversity that live in the woods as well as in the coves of the area, is protected by the diligent commitment of the authorities and the citi-
Assuming that the cooking should be called rapallina and not rapallese, like most of the Ligurian dishes embodies the perfect combination between sea and mountain. The cooking of this area is a free port both for big eaters and for the most romantic tourists from all over the world Rapallo is very close to Recco, where it borrows the delicious focaccia, baked in wood burning ovens, but generally prefers the ones with with rosemary, good olive oil stuffed as you please. Farinata, made of chickpeas and the anchovy pie, focaccia with anchovies, dried tomatoes and garlic which doesn’t have a romantic name, but it’s very tasty pisciadela. The recycled dishes, inherited by the Rapallinis from their grandfathers times, almost represent an independent heritage. The legume soups alternate to meats, in the so called cima ripiena alla Genovese, the sublime main dishes crespelle and lasagne with pesto sauce. The mythical pansotti with walnut sauce. Marà sauce for stracotti and bolliti, to be spread on toasted bread. The type of pasta used is generally short, such as penne, trofie, trenette, with a pesto dressing or meat sauce, walnut sauce or simply with a fish sauce. Not having problems in finding fresh fish, the local cuisine takes advantage of this primary resource serving it hot and fresh. Stuffed anchovies or boiled with salt and vinegar. As second dish we can find Baccalà with garlic or Cappon Magro, but also octopus, rock fish and sea bottom fish served stewed. As dessert castagnaccio, made of chestnut flour, raisins, pine seeds and rosemary fill the already delicious menu, not to mention the cakes and brunette de laete, a typical vanilla cake. The typical production includes fresh made pasta, honey, fresh cheeses. To water your appetite, choose Vermentino DOC of the Gulf of Tigullio.
Places of interest Surrounded by the sea and connected to the mainland by a pier, in the stretch of water in front of seafront Vittorio Veneto, there is the symbol of the town of Rapallo: its castle, built as magnificent example of solid rustic square
map, it is the classic example of a Ligurian manor house, built as buttress not overlooking the sea but straight at level It was built in year 1550, after the attack of the pirate Dragut, later used as prison, transformed again to the present day as location for events and local celebrations. Every year, on the 3rd of July, during the last night of festivities which are referred to the apparition of Our Lady of Montallegro, the castle an incredible fireworks show, at the end of which the castle is artificially set to fire. The castle has been declared as Italian National Monument by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, by looking at it at sunset it is possible to understand why. Pieve Santo Stefano, located in Via Torre Civica is a first example of religious demonstration. It is the oldest Christian parish church built inside the territory of Rapallo. Its construction is prior to the Basilica of Saints Gervasio and Protasio, the church built inside the historic centre in an elevated position in order to avoid damages caused by old floodings of the river San Francesco, it became the seat of the newly established Disciplinati brotherhood in 1263. The presbyterian Basilica of Saints Gervasio and Protasio was built due to the Ambrosiani during their diocesan exile from Milan to Genoa. The church was made in perfect Medieval style, with Gothic and Romanesque elements, it has had continuous renovations to keep the structure intact. To this day the church is seat of the same name parish church of the Vicarage of Rapallo-Santa Margherita Ligure, of the church of Chiavari. Unquestionably Gothic and with a unique austere beauty rare to find in the whole region, the Sanctuary of Montallegro appears to us inside a deep wood. It was built to celebrate the apparition of the Virgin Mary, on the crest of a hill, to the peasant Chichizola John, in 1557. At first the mountain was called
Death Mountain, probably due to the presence of steep cliffs, later the name changed to Montallegro following this event, and from then it also gave the name to the sanctuary, becoming a destination for hundreds of observants. The sanctuary was built in 1559, while the marble façade was completed and designed by the architect Revelli, at the end of the nineteenth century. The number of votive offering left every year inside the chapel, cannot be counted, during the celebration of the apparitions on 1, 2 and 3 July. With the spread of the plague in 1400, the community of Rapallo had the urgent need to build a temporary shelter for sick people. The donation of a plot of land by Giacomo D’Aste, located between the villages of St. Massimo and Santa Maria del Campo, gave birth to the Lazaretto. In 1505, when the plague was over, the conditions of the building began to suffer the negligence of time, and had to have an accurate renovation. The priests who visited the structure, judged the renovation too expensive;,the place is now a private property, unfortunately is in poor conditions. But its presence, marking its vicissitudes remains intact. Viceversa, in the city center many of the great monuments or buildings of the past coexist with the passing of time without any problems. Villa Tigullio, built by the Genoese family Spinola, was once the seat of the municipal museum of bobbin lace and international public library and Villa del Trattato, they both survive thanks to the continuous renovation and are a proof of the neoclassical style of the time. Last but not least, the Music Kiosk on the seafront, opened on 3 November 1929, it attracts due to its dome shape, its friezes in the medallions of the arches and its long Liberty pillars of the late nineteenth century, and the versatile spirit of the town. The project
was designed by Luigi Devoto, and has hosted, over the years, important guests such as Giuseppe Verdi, Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Hector Berlioz.
Accomodation tourism e events From Sestri Levante to Santa Margherita Ligure, the sea is the one who will accompany your steps with zeal . From the beach to the rocks , beach resorts for all budgets and sports facilities all along the coast, all kept in good order also due to the crows during the high season . For over two hundred years , Rapallo literally cultivates the passion for tourism from every place and every culture , accompanying in the town to its most beautiful views , which are made of golden sand or soft carpets of pine needles . Surf, motor diving, sailing and horse riding are just some of the activities that are practiced, while for ladies with most demanding tastes, there are boutiques in the old town center which still keeps its medieval essence , it is a valid distraction during the shopping to be able to admire monuments and architectures of the past. Even collectors will have their important role, tourists will be welcomed by small craftsmen, who hand-make laces, and
in Zoagli produce velvets . During the good season, from May to August, the whole Tigullio celebrates the Palio Marinaro. Involving San Michele di Pagana , Rapallo, Zoagli , Chiavari , Lavagna and Sestri Levante , all the rowing clubs of the districts gather and compete in a race that takes place every year since 1974. Every fourth Sunday of the month, in the roads of the historic centre instead there is a wonderful antiques and junk market called “ Il Tarlo ,� not to be missed . Rapallo also offers various activities of popular culture :just a few to mention such as the Cultural Academy , the Palco sul Mare Festival and the International Library (located in the upper floors of Villa Tigullio , it hosts a big number of volumes about the history of the town) all these places make this town eclectic and open to new ideas. Fifty hotels , the same number of restaurants, a dozen beach resorts, camping and family-run farms , all waiting for you for an unforgettable holiday.
Real proprety market The real market estate of our region has always been dedicated second houses and there are a lot of tourists coming from abroad, especially russians and eastern. On our zone there are prestigious properties and houses that have always had appeal, some unique pieces that have made famous people from the world of entertainment, politics and finance spend their money on them.
The city has a lot of useful places like the horse riding fields, swimming pools, sports domes, golf club, the museum of lace, the Minigolf Sporting Club and the polygon. Right now the prices are 2.000,00 euros per square metre in the less tared area and 6.000/7.000 euros for the high rated ones. Villas and house can reach the price of 9.000/12.000 euros. There are small villages near Rapallo where the prices can go down to 1.500,00 euro. It’s also important to know that every single estate has to be evaluated in “single case” (not considering the square metres) since there are very different types of houses and estates. The last consideration we make is that, considering what’s happened in the past, buying today in Rapallo with actual market prices it’s always an amazing kind of deal.
Sourroundings
Rapallo is like a lighthouse with its natural prominent position, the magnificent castle on the water. It is located exactly at halfway between the steep coasts on the east side and the scented greenhouses on the West side, a sort of anchorage with thousands leisure and holiday activities. Located at forty minutes from Genoa and a little bit more from La Spezia, it combines the most solid characters of both towns, a pulsating nucleus like the first one and folkloristic traditions, cuisine and the bare earth that blooms from the second one. Nature and well-being, will not be set aside in favour of a devious consumerism, but will coexist, illumi-
nating when needed the nearby sanctuaries of Val Fontanabuona, the stretch of water of the bays of Sestri Levante and the more distant pinnacles of Portovenere of the Gulf of Poets