Camogli is one of the most romantic and spectacular towns on the west side of the peninsula of Portofino on the Golfo Paradiso in the Riviera di Levante. What makes this seaside village such a special place is its own beautiful panorama: the charming marina, surrounded by the colorful historic buildings close to the seafront and the ruins of the medieval castle along with the magnificent seaside promenade, full of typical restaurants and small B&Bs, built on the model of the promenade des Anglais in Nice, in nearby France.
Even the history of Camogli gives it a particular charm. In the late Middle Ages, Camogli was a considerable seaport. In its heyday, its fleet consisted of hundreds of Tall Ships, and it was called the "city of a thousand white sails". Camogli represented the third Italian power in the Mediterranean. In 1798, the city hosted a large contingent of Napoleon's fleet, which was then beaten in the Egyptian waters of the Nile by Admiral Nelson. The prestigious naval college "Cristoforo Colombo" was founded in Camogli in 1874, named after the Genoese navigator Christopher Columbus.
Camogli now relies mainly on tourism and is known for its colorful houses that line the beach. The house colors once helped the fishermen of Camogli find the way back to their port. In every season there is always something to discover and explore. In addition to the enchanted landscape you can visit castles and museums, savor the flavors of the local trattorias and, if you happen to be there at the right time, participate in the picturesque, popular festivals of the city.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is the church that appears in the most famous images of Camogli. In addition to admiring it from the outside, it is advisable to visit it internally. This structure was built in the 12th century on a rock overlooking the sea and has undergone many changes and renovations since then.
A treasure of the city of Camogli is the small Gio Bono Ferrari Maritime Museum. The museum contains the true essence of Camogli’s maritime traditions. Inside you can admire paintings, photographs, models, and documents donated by the Camogliesi families. These objects are a small testimony of the ancient sailing ships that belonged to the owners of Camogli in the period between the Napoleonic wars and WWI. The captions and descriptions throughout the museum give the surnames and nicknames of the people of Camogli with all their stories. These small details make the museum an exciting place dedicated to the memory of a millenary tradition.
Punta Chiappa is one of the symbols of the city of Camogli and an unmissable point of interest for true explorers. Here you will find a rock reaching out towards the Mediterranean at the base of the Portofino Mountain. At the end of the Punta, there was once a statue depicting the effigy of the Madonna Stella Maris, protector of sailors and venerated by the inhabitants of Camogli for centuries. Today there is a mosaic.
These are just a few of the wonderous sites of Camogli. Only a visit will capture the true essence of this wonderful city.
