Visit Chiavari
Chiavari is situated on the Gulf of Tigullio, an area between the promontory of Portofino and Moneglia. It has a fascinating mix of architecture (note the three different architectural styles in the photo of Chiavari above), and is well known for its medieval streets, the 'carrugi'.
The most famous religious monument in Chiavari is the Shrine of Our Lady “dell’Orto”, and the cathedral was built between 1613 and 1633, by Leoni Cesario Marro. The building, when newly built, was entrusted to the Carmelite monks, who fled in 1797 following the proclamation of the Genoa Republic. The architectural changes sustained over time are evident, and today it looks like a massive neoclassical building, since the first detail that leaps to the eyes is the pronaos (portico), by Luigi Poletti [1792-1869], clearly inspired by the Pantheon in Rome - it consists of eight Corinthian columns of white marble. The interior of the Shrine of Our Lady is rich in works of art of great value, including a fresco depicting the "Translation of Our Lady," by Carlo Baratta (1754-1815), a stucco by Ludovico Pogliaghi (1857-1950), the altar, by Giovanni Ferradino (XVII century), the chorus (XVII century), and a wooden group by Anton Maria Maragliano (1664-1739).
The Palace of Justice is located in the heart of the city. The building, of Tuscan Gothic style, was built in 1886 on an ancient medieval town, of which the crenellated tower incorporated in today's construction remains. The designer Giuseppe Partini (1842-1895) conceived this building in the style of those of central Italy. Near the Palace of Justice, we find the so-called White Palace, of Neoclassical style, and the town hall, dating from the 19th century. The 'Piazza Matteotti', better known as the “Carriage Square ", is an important crossroads dominated on one side by the gardens of “Villa Rocca”.
The park of Villa Rocca is divided into some major areas, including the monumental greenhouses of orchids, the bamboo forest, rose garden, the area featuring the cacti, a palm grove, an area of conifers and oaks, and enriched with fountains and ponds.Within the park, we can admire the villa of tea and the temple of music. At the base of the gardens there is the “Palazzo Rocca”, a combined house-museum. The building dates back to 1629, by Bartolomeo Bianco (1590-1657), subsequently extended. Inside the palace is the Municipal Gallery, the Archaeological Museum of the Prehistory and early history of Tigullio, and the Historical Museum of the “Risorgimento”.
Walking through the medieval old town of Chiavari, rich in the so-called “carrugi” (the typical narrow streets dating. back to the Middle Ages), there is a succession of historical buildings. Among them one of the best known and most curious is the so called Palace of Blacks Portici, built in the twelfth century: it has undergone several subsequent rearrangements, a gothic façade, and four black pointed arches which form a large balcony. Continuing to walk through the "carrugi", it is easy to understand why Chiavari was for many centuries an important commercial port of worldwide renown. In fact, under the ancient arcades were hundreds of commercial enterprises employed in a wide variety of activities - from those of traditional ancient works, which continue in some hidden areas of Chiavari, there are also now some restaurants and famous modern boutiques, concentrated mainly in the city's main street, called the “Caruggio Dritto”.
In the area towards the sea the building of most striking artistic value is the Colonia Fara, by the engineer Camillo Nardi Greco (XX century). It represents a valuable example of rationalist futurist-architecture. The shape is weird; the tower, about 43 meters high, does not appear symmetrical to the base, but it is placed on the east side, and the building is an obvious reference to the shape of an airplane.
Saint James Church in Rupinaro, formerly known as St. Jacob de Arena, was probably built between the eighth and ninth century, outside the fortified citadel. It presents a beautiful but modern (1938) façade, set in an architectural context dating from the seventeenth century. The interior has a single nave, an altar by Francesco Schiaffino (1689-1765) and a Baroque choir decorated with twelve paintings of religious inspiration, by Giovanni Battista Carlone (1603-1684).
Another example of religious architecture worth visiting is the Church of St. John the Baptist, built in 1181 and completely rebuilt in the years between 1624 and 1631 by Andrea Vannone and Bartolomeo Rossi (XVII century). The façade was again renewed in 1935, thanks to Gaetano Moretti (1860-1939). The interior has three aisles, filled with works such as "Black Cross" by Francesco Schiaffino and some paintings by Domenico Piola (1627-1703), Orazio De Ferrari (1606-1657) and Domenico Fiasella (1589-1669).
Chiavari Cuisine
The cuisine of Chiavari reflects the typical dishes of Liguria, and it offers us specialities such as “pesto”, trofie and “trenette”, porridge (with chickpea flour). Also well-known are the cake “Pasqualina”, and the Genoese “Capon thin”. Also typical of the region are the “pansoti” (“ravioli” with “ricotta” and herbs). In Ligurian cuisine fish has considerable importance cooked fried, grilled and in “ciuppin”. Inside, the kitchen is also enriched with typical local products, or mushrooms, chestnuts and cereals.
See also history of Chiavari