Sailing to Liguria

A map of the best ports and anchorages

The Ligurian coast

Long before Genoa became the powerful maritime republic, the Ligurian people lived along these shores. The Ligurians were a fiercely independent tribe, known for their close-knit communities that thrived despite the rough terrain. They were skilled in both agriculture and trade, often venturing out on small boats to barter goods with neighbouring regions. However, their fiercely protected autonomy eventually drew the attention of the expanding Roman Empire. By the 2nd century BC, the Romans sought to subdue the Ligurian tribes, resulting in a series of conflicts.

Oppida, the fortified hilltop towns

Roman influence, however, was transformative. Liguria’s strategic position along the Via Aurelia, an important Roman road, turned it into a bustling conduit for commerce and communication. Roman settlements began to flourish, with amphitheaters, baths, and villas dotting the coastline. One of the most fascinating legacies of this period is the oppida, the fortified hilltop towns, that still overlook the region. These ancient strongholds, with their intricate stone walls, served as both places of refuge and trading posts.

The Punic Wars

The region also holds a unique place in the history of the Roman Republic’s naval exploits. During the Punic Wars, Liguria’s natural harbours and resources played a crucial role in supporting Rome’s military campaigns against Carthage. The coast, with its secluded bays and steep cliffs, was a perfect hideaway for Rome’s military fleet.

The Genoese merchants

Genoa, of course, would later rise as a maritime power in its own right, but the seeds of that strength were planted centuries earlier. The Genoese merchants, who would come to dominate Mediterranean trade, inherited a tradition of seafaring and commerce that began with the early Ligurians and was amplified by the Roman infrastructure that connected them to a wider world.

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