The Village Of Camogli And Its Beautiful Colored Balconies

On the spectacular Italian Levantine Riviera, dream spots are multiplying along the entire coastline. Next, we will describe the beauty of Camogli, an unforgettable town.

Just 30 minutes from Genoa by car, you arrive in this small town with houses with colorful facades that will instantly catch your eye. Close your eyes and dream of an idyllic fishing village, that is Camogli. Let’s get to know it!

Why is it called Camogli?

The origin of the name of this town is uncertain, although there are several stories about it. According to experts, it derives from the Etruscan god Camulio, who represented Mars. It may also be that it refers to the name given to the place in times prior to the Roman Empire.

However, there are other popular legends about the name of Camogli. In Ligurian dialect, ca means ‘house’ and mugge, ‘wife’ – moglie , in Italian. This refers to the fact that, being a fishing village, the women remained alone for a long time, and that pun was used to name the place.

Finally, it is also considered that the union of the words ca and moggi , which means ‘crowded houses’ or ‘attached’, so it could be another origin of the name.

In any case, Camogli – Camóggi in the Ligurian dialect – has been mentioned since the 11th century, although it was the King of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II who gave it the title of city in 1877.

The multi-colored facades

It is common to see in Italian coastal towns the facades of buildings painted in different colors: yellow, orange, pink, light blue. This was done so that sailors and fishermen could distinguish their house from the sea. In addition, they are adorned with balconies and shutters in an intense green tone, which gives them uniformity, within the diversity of colors.

In this way, the coastline of buildings forms a harmonious ensemble of great beauty that is completed with wide beaches and a picturesque promenade, built in 1913.

Città dei Mille Bianchi Velieri, ‘the city of a thousand white sailboats’

Camogli has less than 6000 inhabitants, but it is a place chosen every summer by thousands of visitors. Sailboats, boat tours and tourist boats number in the hundreds, and it is known for that.

It is a town of seafarers, and their experiences can be seen in the Marine Museum, where works on the maritime theme, documents, navigation charts and ship models are exhibited. Among the most curious things, there you will find the art of building model ships in bottles.

What can you see in Camogli?

If you are interested in taking a tour related to history and culture, here you will have a lot to know:

• Castello de Dragonara : a medieval building that was used as a meeting place and defensive position for the inhabitants of the Camogliennes, as well as as a prison and an aquarium.

• Basilica of Santa María Assunta, built in the 12th century.
• Oratory of Santa Caterina y San Próspero, dating from the 14th century and featuring beautiful baroque decorations and 18th century paintings.
• Sanctuary of Our Lady of Boschetto, located on Via Enrico Figari, in the place where the shepherd Angela Schiaffino had the apparition of the Virgin Mary in the year 1518.
• In addition, there are a series of parishes scattered in small neighboring towns and on the roads that connect them.

Relax, outdoor and water sports

The coast of the Gulf of Paradiso has several panoramic points that you can explore through an excellent network of trails. On this journey, you can visit Punta Chiappa, San Rocco and San Fructuoso. One place where many hiking trails start is Ruta, 300 meters above sea level.

If you are looking for relaxation and sun, the beaches await you with first class tourist services. Keep in mind that the beach is made of pebbles and stones, take protection for your feet! To compensate, the water is crystal clear and warm.

As for nautical activities, boat trips and the movement of sailboats are constant. If you like diving, the coast offers a series of spectacular caves for dives. One of the most visited is that of Gamberi, in Punta Chiappa, full of prawns throughout its surface, as well as crabs, lobsters and corals.

In the bay of San Fructuoso you can dive and reach the “Cristo de los Abismos”, a sculpture by Guido Galletti that has been on the bed of the bay since 1954.

Camogli: settle into the slow rhythm

The Ligurian coast gives you authentic Italian holidays, where the main thing is enjoyment, and Camogli is the perfect place for that. Stroll without haste, delight the senses with the aromas of the exquisite regional gastronomy and sit down in a restaurant, a bar or a pizzeria to eat at a slow pace.

Finally, we tell you that Camogli is a town with itineraries and activities that you can do at any time of the year. However, if you prefer beach tourism, summer is the best time to visit it. Have you already chosen your plan?