Blithe

Puts sandcastles on the beach in the shade.

The Castello sul Mare(Castle-on-the-Sea), erected in 1551 to counter the frequent attacks of the Ottomans and Barbary pirates, sits in the harbour. It includes a small chapel dedicated to St. Cajetan, built in 1688

Castle x 2

Castle with bronze model - to help the blind 'see'

Castle by moonlight

Porta delle Saline

Rapallo was a walled town and there were five gates in the walls. The Porta delle Saline is the only surviving gate, it is so called because it is located near the salt pans that the Genoese Doria family held as a monopoly. This gate now separates the seafront from 'the old city'. A painting of Our Lady of Montallegro is featured on the gate.

Belltower and dome of the Basilica of San Gervasio e Protasio.

This is the main church in Rapallo. It dates back to the 6th century, but has been extended and altered over the centuries. The dome is in neo Renaissance style, with a spire topped with a bronze Madonna.

Market day in Rapallo

(CC appears top left!)

Looking round to the Marina

The land around Rapallo rises steeply. You can see the funivia lines rising up and over the top of the mountainside.

Around the harbour

Via Privata Paolo Tubino (on the way to the funivia)

Rising up from Rapallo - Leaving the bottom station

In operation since 1934 the funivia takes 8 minutes to run 2390 metres, and rises 600 metres above sea level, with beautiful views over the intense blue of the Gulf of Tigullio.

One up one down

Gulf of Tigullio - Rapallo and harbour in the foreground, round the first bend Michele di Pagana, then the harbour/marina of Santa Margherita Ligure with her many yachts. Along near the end of the promontory, the notch which is Portofino, which is about 5 mile from Rapallo.

IMG 0517 Basilica copy

The Sanctuary of Montallegro was built to celebrate the apparition of the Virgin Mary to the farmer John Chichizola on 2 July 1557 on the crest of what until then had been called Laeti Montis, the Mountain of Death. The name has been changed to Montallegro because of that event. Built in 1559 by the express will of the Virgin, which, according to tradition, told Chichizola "Go and say to Rapallo I want to be honoured here," Every year, on the anniversary of the apparition celebrations take place for three days on the 1, 2 and 3 July, with religious celebrations in the Basilica and Sanctuary and the awesome fireworks day and night on the sea.

From the square in front of the Sanctuary you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the west coast of the Gulf of Tigullio.

Albergo Casa del Pellegrino - a lovely walk round the back of the Sanctuary.

wild roses

Albergo Casa del Pellegrino

Fresh and clean air under the linden trees with views over the gulf of Tigullio.

Stations of the cross

Time to leave - the car awaits