Area: 5420 square kilometres
Population: 1,700,000
Regional capital: Genoa (Genova in Italian) (pop. 620,000)
Main cities: Genoa, Imperia, La Spezia; Savona
Main lakes and rivers: River Magra, River Arroscia
Main mountains:Monte Maccarello (2200m), Monte Maggiorasca (1799m); Monte Ceppo (1627m)
Make up of landscape: mountains: mountains: 65%, hills: 35%
Main industries: agriculture: agriculture: 6%, industry: 22% other: 72%
As you can see from the table above, the land is a heady mix of mountains and hills, some bordering the coast, resulting in high jagged cliffs. Half the region is covered with forests and woods. Despite its geographical conformation it has good infrastructure and is well connected to France, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Piedmont.
Inhabited since prehistoric times, the region was colonised by the Romans in the second century BC. In the Middle Ages, Liguria became a maritime republic under the control of Genoa, Pisa, Venice and Amalfi. Thus began a prosperous period lasting until 1797 when Napoleon created the Republic of Liguria. This didn’t last for long as it became the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1815 at the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Liguria’s history is inextricably linked to the sea which, until fairly recently, was the main means of access between the small coastal villages. Many of these still look as they did in the 19th century, particularly the Cinque Terre, which so captivated Romantic poets like Byron and Shelley.
The five stunning coastal villages in the region of La Spezia – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, together with the surrounding hills and coast, are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are wonderful walking trails through the Cinque Terre connecting each village as well as a railway line and ferries. Each village has many bed and breakfasts, hotels and restaurants.
This naval town, provincial capital of the area, is an ideal and affordable base for visits to the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets. It’s a fascinating place for naval history buffs and its Museo Tecnico Navale is said to be the best in the world. It has a pretty promenade and beautiful views towards the Apuan Alps.
The regional capital and birthplace of Christopher Columbus, whose house can be seen in the city. This much under-rated city is still showing the beneficial effects of having recently been a European City of Culture and has lovely medieval streets, great shops and restaurants, a fascinating old port and the il Bigo crane with fantastic views to land and sea. Among its many fascinating sights is the former doge’s palace the Palazzo Ducale.
If ever there was a place which symbolised old world glamour it’s this beautiful fishing port, much loved by movie stars past and present. The bay of Portofino is dominated by Castello Brown – the building bought by the former Genoese Consul General Montague Yeats Brown in the 19th century – and the Chiesa di San Giorgio.
You can fly to Genoa, Pisa or Nice, with Genoa and Nice being the closest. For cheap flights, Easyjet fly direct to Nice from London. Ryanair have a Stansted to Genoa flight, you can fly to Pisa from a variety of UK airports and also fly to Nice from Dublin.
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