Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera, or Ligurian Riviera, (Italian: Riviera ligure; Ligurian: Rivêa ligure) is the narrow coastal strip in Italy which lies between the Ligurian Sea and the mountain chain formed by the Maritime Alps and the Apennines. Longitudinally it extends from the border with France and the French Riviera (or Côte d'Azur) near Ventimiglia (a former customs post) eastwards to Capo Corvo (also known as Punta Bianca) which marks the eastern end of the Gulf of La Spezia and is close to the regional border between Liguria and Tuscany. The Italian Riviera thus includes nearly all of the coastline of Liguria. Historically the "Riviera" extended further to the west, through what is now French territory as far as Marseille.[1][2]

See also: Riviera (disambiguation)
Italian Riviera

Riviera Italiana
Riviera ligure
Riviera
From top down, left to right: panoramic view of Cinque Terre, Levanto, Bonassola, Sestri Levante, Santa Margherita Ligure, Portofino, Camogli, Alassio
Country Italy
RegioneLiguria
Population
 • Total1.8 million
Liguria and the Italian Riviera
La Riviera italienne, travel poster for ENIT, ca. 1920.

The Italian Riviera crosses all four Ligurian provinces and their capitals Genoa, Savona, Imperia and La Spezia, with a total length of about 350 km (218 miles).[3] It is customarily divided into a western section, the Ponente Riviera, and an eastern section, the Levante Riviera, the point of division being the apex of the Ligurian arc at Voltri.[4] It has about 1.6 million inhabitants, and most of the population is concentrated within the coastal area.[5] Because of the shelter from winter winds afforded by the mountains, it is particularly favoured in growing early vegetables, flowers (especially in the western section), olives, and wine grapes. Its mild climate draws an active tourist trade in the numerous coastal resorts, which include Alassio, Bonassola, Bordighera, Camogli, Cinque Terre, Lerici, Levanto, Noli, Portofino, Porto Venere, Santa Margherita Ligure, Sanremo, San Fruttuoso, and Sestri Levante. It is also known for its historical association with international celebrity and artistic visitors;[6][7] writers and poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron, Ezra Pound, and Ernest Hemingway were inspired by the beauty and spirit of the region.[8]

As a tourist centre, the Italian Riviera benefits from over 300 days of sunshine per year, and is known for its beaches, colourfully painted towns, natural environment, food, and luxury villas and hotels, as well as for its popular resort facilities, major yachting and cruising areas with several marinas, festivals, golf courses, sailing, rock climbing and scenic views of centuries old farmhouses and cottages.[9]

Industries are concentrated in and around Genoa, Savona, and along the shores of the Gulf of La Spezia. Genoa and La Spezia are Italy’s leading shipyards; La Spezia is Italy’s major naval base, and Savona is a major centre of the Italian iron industry. Chemical, textile, and food industries are also important.[4]

A number of streets and palaces in the center of Genoa and the Cinque Terre National Park (which includes Cinque Terre, Portovenere, and the islands Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) are two of Italy's 55 World Heritage Sites.

Overview

The Riviera's centre is Genoa, which divides it into two main sections: the Riviera di Ponente (“the coast of the setting sun”), extending westwards from Genoa to the French border; and the Riviera di Levante (“the coast of the rising sun”) between Genoa and Capo Corvo.

It is famous for its particularly mild climate and relaxed way of life which, together with the charm of its old fishing ports and the beauty of its landscape, has made it a popular destination for travellers and tourists since the time of Byron and Percy Shelley.

Many villages and towns in the area are internationally known, such as Portofino, Bordighera, Lerici and the Cinque Terre.

The part of the Riviera di Ponente centred on Savona, is called the "Riviera delle Palme" (the Riviera of palms); the part centred on Sanremo, is the "Riviera dei Fiori", after the long-established flower growing industry.

Places on or near the Italian Riviera include:

MunicipalityProvince or Metropolitan City
VentimigliaImperia (16)
Camporosso
Vallecrosia
Bordighera
Ospedaletti
San Remo
Taggia
Riva Ligure
Santo Stefano al Mare
Cipressa
Costarainera
San Lorenzo al Mare
Imperia
Diano Marina
San Bartolomeo al Mare
Cervo
AndoraSavona(19)
Laigueglia
Alassio
Albenga
Ceriale
Borghetto Santo Spirito
Loano
Pietra Ligure
Borgio Verezzi
Finale Ligure
Noli
Spotorno
Bergeggi
Vado Ligure
Savona
Albissola Marina
Albisola Superiore
Celle Ligure
Varazze
CogoletoGenoa (16)
Arenzano
Genoa
Bogliasco
Pieve Ligure
Sori
Recco
Camogli
Portofino
Santa Margherita Ligure
Rapallo
Zoagli
Chiavari
Lavagna
Sestri Levante
Moneglia
Deiva MarinaLa Spezia (12)
Framura
Bonassola
Levanto
Monterosso al Mare
Vernazza
Riomaggiore
La Spezia
Portovenere
Lerici
Ameglia
Sarzana

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Gardens
Giardino all'italiana Cervara Abbey

Events and festivals

Yacht clubs

Typical cuisine, food and wine

Painters

Healthcare

Islands of Liguria

See also

Notes and references
  1. Baughan, Rosa (1880). Winter havens in the sunny South, a complete handbook to the Riviera. London: The Bazaar.
  2. Black, Charles B. (1887). The Riviera, Or The Coast from Marseilles to Leghorn, Including Carrara, Lucca, Pisa, Pistoja and Florence (Third ed.). Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black.
  3. "Into the Blue: 3 Top Locations to Scuba Dive in Liguria".
  4. "Liguria - region, Italy". Britannica.
  5. "Statistiche demografiche ISTAT". Demo.istat.it.
  6. Italy. "Italy: Portofino guide". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  7. Ross, Rory (2007-09-01). "Portofino: a port town that has evaded the uglier side of tourism - Europe - Travel". The Independent. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  8. "Culture of Italy's Riviera and Cinque Terre Liguria Region". Trips 2 Italy.
  9. "Map of Italy - Holiday homes and villa rentals, self catering in Italy". Holiday homes for rent.

Riviera dei Fiori, a sea of colors

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