Rapallo

Rapallo
Name	Rapallo
Coordinates	44, 21, N, 9...
Region	Liguria
Province	Metropolitan City of Genoa
Area total km2	33.7
Population total	29534
Population as of	31 December 2017

Rapallo is a seaside resort and comune located on the Italian Riviera in the Metropolitan City of Genoa, within the Liguria region of northwestern Italy. Situated on the Tigullio Gulf between the Portofino promontory and the city of Chiavari, it is a historic town known for its scenic waterfront, mild Mediterranean climate, and significant role in 20th-century diplomatic history. The economy is primarily based on tourism, with its marina, beaches, and cultural events attracting visitors, alongside traditional industries like lace making.

History

The area shows evidence of Ligurian and later Roman settlement, with the first official mention occurring in a diploma from Emperor Otto I in 964. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was a contested fiefdom between the local Fieschi family and the powerful Republic of Genoa, eventually coming under firm Genoese control by the 13th century. Its strategic coastal location made it vulnerable to attacks, notably from Ottoman Barbary pirates led by Dragut, who sacked the town in 1549. The modern development of Rapallo as a tourist destination began in the late 19th century, boosted by visitors like Friedrich Nietzsche and connections to the Grand Tour. It gained international prominence in the 20th century as the site of two pivotal treaties: the Treaty of Rapallo (1920) between the Kingdom of Italy and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, and the Treaty of Rapallo (1922), which re-established diplomatic and economic relations between the Weimar Republic and the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.

Geography

Rapallo is nestled along the Ligurian Sea coastline, approximately 25 kilometers southeast of Genoa. The town is sheltered within the Tigullio Gulf, backed by the steep slopes of the Ligurian Apennines and the Aveto Natural Regional Park. The immediate territory is characterized by a narrow coastal plain, with the main urban center developed around the natural harbor and the mouth of the Boate stream. The comune includes the frazioni of San Michele di Pagana, Montepegli, and Sant'Andrea di Foggia, extending into the wooded hills that offer panoramic views over the Gulf of Genoa. Its coastline features a mix of pebble beaches, rocky cliffs, and the protected marine area near the Portofino Marine Protected Area.

Main sights

The architectural and artistic heritage is dominated by its seaside fortifications, including the 16th-century castle on the water, the **Castello sul Mare**, built as a defense against pirates, and the later **Castello di Rapallo** on the hillside. The historic center is marked by the **Basilica of Saints Gervasius and Protasius**, with its distinctive black-and-white striped facade and a bell tower from the 18th century. The **Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montallegro**, a 16th-century Marian sanctuary located high above the town, is a major pilgrimage site reachable by cable car. The elegant **Lungomare Vittorio Veneto**, a seaside promenade lined with palm trees, connects the marina to landmarks like the **Casino Municipale** and the **Museum of the Chitarra**, dedicated to the birthplace of the modern guitar.

Culture

The town has a vibrant cultural calendar, most famously hosting the **Rapallo Carige International Chess Tournament**, a prestigious event founded in 1980. It is historically associated with the art of **tombolo** lacemaking, a tradition celebrated in local shops and demonstrations. The literary connection is strong, having been a residence or inspiration for writers such as Ezra Pound, who is buried in the nearby island cemetery of San Michele, and Max Beerbohm. Annual events include the **Rapallo Music Festival**, the **Golfo dei Poeti International Film Festival**, and the historic **Palio Marinaro del Tigullio**, a rowing competition between the towns of the gulf. The local cuisine features classic Ligurian cuisine like pesto, focaccia, and seafood dishes.

Transport

Rapallo is a key transport hub for the eastern Italian Riviera, served by the **Rapallo railway station** on the Genoa–Pisa railway line, with regular services to Genoa, La Spezia, and Pisa. The **A12 motorway (Italy)|A12 motorway** (E80) runs just north of the town, providing road connections along the coast and inland. Local and regional bus services are operated by **ATP Esercizio**, linking the town to surrounding villages and the **Portofino** peninsula. The **Rapallo Heliport** offers connections, while the nearest major airports are **Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport** and **Pisa International Airport**. A public elevator and a cable car link the lower town to the hilltop sanctuary of **Montallegro**.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with the town include the composer and film scorer **Ennio Morricone**, who had a holiday home there; the poet and critic **Ezra Pound**, who spent formative years in Rapallo; the German philosopher **Friedrich Nietzsche**, who conceived part of *Thus Spoke Zarathustra* during a stay; the actress and singer **Diana Dei**; and the Olympic fencer **Edoardo Mangiarotti**. The **Luthier|liutaio** **Paolo Soprani**, a pioneer of the modern accordion, was born nearby, and the town was a frequent retreat for the English caricaturist **Max Beerbohm**.

Category:Cities and towns in Liguria Category:Metropolitan City of Genoa