Liguria Although one of the smallest regions of Italy, Liguria, the region that lies in a crescent shape in the northwestern coastal area, is by far one of the most beautiful. Liguria stretches along the Ligurian Sea from the French border on the north to Tuscany on its southern border (Domenico, 2002, p. 155). Characterized by steep mountains that plunge into the sea and intersected by deep valleys, the area has been made famous by many movies filmed in and about the region. Genoa, the capital city of Liguria, sits at the center of what looks from the sky to be a giant harbor. Also included in Liguria are the towns of Sanremo, Albenga, Savona, Portofino, Cinque Terra, and La Spezia. Liguria and its towns boasts dozens of sandy strands, rocky coves and pebbly beaches and is also know as the Italian Riviera (Finley, 2006). The climate of the area is of mild winters and balmy summers attracting many visitors. I chose Liguria as my region to research because I have seen many beautiful tourist pictures of its towns, primarily Portofino and Cinque Terra. I have been told these are definite “must see” places and they are on my personal bucket list of places to visit. At its widest point Liguria measures only 23 miles wide and 170 miles long, with the sea to the west and daunting mountains to the east (Finley, 2006), it can have an “island effect” on its inhabitants. Many native Ligurians, take to the sea, becoming fisherman, explorers, traders and sailors. Christopher Columbus hails from Liguria and is probably the most famous explorer of all time (Finley, 2006). Most of Liguria is protected parkland with the coastal areas being well protected. Genoa, Liguria’s capital city, has had a tumultuous history over the last two millennia, seeing its fortunes rise and fall. The city has had unmatched wealth and political power, but in more recent times, has lost its prosperity. Between 1353 and 1499 Milan and France ruled Genoa, which had been predominantly independent. During this time, Genoa was stripped of its prior overseas holdings, which included Corsica, Sardinia and the eastern Mediterranean. For over 150 years Genoa was subjugated to France (Finley, 2006). The arrival of Andrea Doria, who secured his own fortune in the beginning of the 16th century, initially served the interests of France. He changed sides five years later, entering the service of Charles V of Spain. With this change, Doria regained autonomy for Genoa and was appointed a doge. During this time Genoa entered its second “golden age,” (Finley, 2006). Riches accumulated during this time were from finance and public and private projects. Palaces were constructed Palazzo San Giorgio and Palazzo Ducale and the building of walls along the mountain ridges and shorelines. Portofino was once a tiny fishing village
