Rapallo
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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Neatly nestled away in a corner of the beautiful Golfo del Tigullio, the seaside town of Rapallo has been a magnet for writers and poets, drawn by its beautiful bay and palm-tree lined promenade.
The list of literary figures who have either lived or passed through Rapallo reads like a who's who of journalism and includes the likes of WB Yeats, DH Lawrence, Ezra Pound, Ernest Hemingway and former resident Max Beerbohm. Rapallo was once a very quiet and unassuming fishing village before word of its beauty gathered pace in the 19th century. |
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Historic Rapallo
It also became the scene for two important political events with two different treaties, both called "The Treaty of Rapallo" in 1920 and 1922, all part of the post-world war one territorial readjustment of Europe.
The 1920's and Art Nouveau period were something of a heyday for Rapallo; this is reflected in a number of the town's Liberty-style buildings, particularly hotels. In 1934 a cable-car was built which still carries passengers up to the Sanctuary Basilica di Montallegro; scene of a sighting of the Virgin Mary in 1557.
The sighting came just 6 years after Rapallo's Castello sul Mare (Castle on the Sea) was built and there are further shades of the medieval period with the Ponte di Annibale (Hannibal's Bridge); the stone bridge now stands rather incongruously spanning a road in a residential area of the town.
The 1920's and Art Nouveau period were something of a heyday for Rapallo; this is reflected in a number of the town's Liberty-style buildings, particularly hotels. In 1934 a cable-car was built which still carries passengers up to the Sanctuary Basilica di Montallegro; scene of a sighting of the Virgin Mary in 1557.
The sighting came just 6 years after Rapallo's Castello sul Mare (Castle on the Sea) was built and there are further shades of the medieval period with the Ponte di Annibale (Hannibal's Bridge); the stone bridge now stands rather incongruously spanning a road in a residential area of the town.
Town centre sights
One of the main remnants of the medieval period is the 15th century tower, Torre Civica which stands next to the Chiesa di Santo Stefano. The Torre Civica is now dwarfed however by that of the town's largest church: the Basilica dei Santi Gervasio e Protasio.
To the south and east of the basilica is an area known as the Borgo Murato. This, the "walled village" is one of the most charming areas of Rapallo with its characteristic multi-coloured buildings housing a number of shops and places to eat.
The very best of Rapallo can be enjoyed while taking a stroll along the seafront promenade called the Lungomare Vittorio Veneto. If you start your walk just a little way south of the Lungomare, you can take in the yachts at the marina before passing some of Rapallo's beach clubs.
Halfway along the Lungomare you'll find Piazza Martiri per la Libertà with its beautiful bandstand, while just a little further along lies the castle, surrounded by a public beach. Continue east of the castle and you'll find a clutch of private beaches before eventually arriving at the Museo del Merletto, a museum dedicated to the lace industry.
To the south and east of the basilica is an area known as the Borgo Murato. This, the "walled village" is one of the most charming areas of Rapallo with its characteristic multi-coloured buildings housing a number of shops and places to eat.
The very best of Rapallo can be enjoyed while taking a stroll along the seafront promenade called the Lungomare Vittorio Veneto. If you start your walk just a little way south of the Lungomare, you can take in the yachts at the marina before passing some of Rapallo's beach clubs.
Halfway along the Lungomare you'll find Piazza Martiri per la Libertà with its beautiful bandstand, while just a little further along lies the castle, surrounded by a public beach. Continue east of the castle and you'll find a clutch of private beaches before eventually arriving at the Museo del Merletto, a museum dedicated to the lace industry.
The Riviera di Levante - beyond Rapallo
Rapallo's location around 25 kilometres east of Genoa on the Riviera di Levante means its within striking distance of a quite extraordinary collection of seaside towns.
Among those towns included in the Golfo del Tigullio are the likes of Sestri Levante, Chiavari and Zoagli. With excellent accommodation options within Rapallo, the town is a popular base for exploring the area and there are boat trips available from Rapallo's port to the nearby town of Santa Margherita Ligure or slightly further, to Portofino and beyond to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso.
By train you can reach Genoa in around half an hour, stopping just once along the way at Santa Margherita Ligure, while the nearest airport is Genoa's Christopher Columbus Airport, reachable by car in 35 minutes.
Among those towns included in the Golfo del Tigullio are the likes of Sestri Levante, Chiavari and Zoagli. With excellent accommodation options within Rapallo, the town is a popular base for exploring the area and there are boat trips available from Rapallo's port to the nearby town of Santa Margherita Ligure or slightly further, to Portofino and beyond to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso.
By train you can reach Genoa in around half an hour, stopping just once along the way at Santa Margherita Ligure, while the nearest airport is Genoa's Christopher Columbus Airport, reachable by car in 35 minutes.
Comune di Rapallo
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Province: Metropolitan City of Genoa
Region: Liguria Population: 29,107 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 34 km² Highlights: Castello sul Mare, Basilica, Lungomare Vittorio Veneto Close by: Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli, Bogliasco Recommended accommodation: Excelsior Palace Hotel |
