Azaro, Balicca Ponterotto, Cascine, Fossa Lupara, Ginestra, Libiola, Loto, Montedomenico,Riva Trigoso, Rovereto, San Quillico, San Bartolomeo, San Bernardo, Santa Margherita di Fossa Lupara, Santa Vittoria di Libiola, Tassani,Trigoso, Vignolo, Villa Arpe, Villa Campomoneto, Villa Carmelo, Villa Costa, Villa Costarossa, Villa Fontane, Villa Manierta, Villa Rocca, Villa Rocche, Villa San Bernardino, Villa Scorza, Villa Staffora, Villa Zarello
Sestri Levante (Latin:Segesta Tigullorum/Segesta Tigulliorum) is a town andcomune in theMetropolitan City of Genoa,Liguria, Italy. Lying on theMediterranean Sea, it is approximately 40 km (25 miles) south-east ofGenoa and is set on apromontory. While nearbyPortofino and theCinque Terre are probably the best-known tourist destinations on theItalian Riviera, Sestri Levante has become popular among Italians. This once quiet fishing village has slowly turned into a tourist hotspot, developing an old and a new town.
Sestri Levante is found approximately halfway between Genoa andLa Spezia. The town has two bays: Baia delle Favole, (Bay of the Fables), and Baia del Silenzio, the (Bay of Silence). The original part of Sestri Levante is actually on a peninsula, with the Baia del Silenzio (also known as "Portobello") on one side and Baia delle Favole on the other. Baia delle Favole or “Bay of Fairy Tales” was named in honor ofDanish writer,Hans Christian Andersen, who lived in Sestri Levante for a short time in 1833.[citation needed]
Sestri Levante has its origins as an ancient maritime and merchant center. Originally a small island with apromontory, it was later connected to the mainland. InRoman times, it was known as Segesta Tigullorum (or Tigulliorum) or simply Segesta, but the place was nearly abandoned when the Roman empire collapsed. It seems to have belonged to theLigurian tribe of theTigullii.[3][4] It was mentioned again in the year 909 in a certificate ofBerengar I of Italy, in which part of its territory was ceded to the basilica di San Giovanni diPavia. During theMiddle Ages, Sestri Levante began to expand, probably giving the fortress appearance that is due to the terrain.
In 1133, the noble family ofLavagna, theFieschi, attacked Tigullio, the gulf in which Sestri Levante is located, however, they were fought off by the powerfulRepublic of Genoa, and therefore, Sestri Levante became a part of the republic, for military protection. In the year 1145, the abbey of San Colombano was acquired by theGenoese, and was transformed later into a castle.
In 1170, Sestri Levante was attacked by a naval flotilla fromPisa, but was able to withstand the attack.
Cantiere navale di Riva Trigoso is a shipyard founded in 1897 byErasmo Piaggio in Riva Trigoso, it mostly built commercial ships. In 1925, the Piaggio heirs decided to spin off the drydock business and the company was renamed Cantieri del Tirreno. It diversified into building warships and was heavily damaged during World War II. The shipyard was merged intoItalcantieri in 1973 and then intoFincantieri in 1984.
Sestri Levante is known forBagnun, a soup made with fresh anchovies, onions and basil. In the past, it was usually associated with the summer season and the many sailors in Sestri Levante, but nowadays it is enjoyed all year round by all kinds of residents, typically accompanied by country-style bread. Bagnun has since spawned a local festival which takes place the second-to-last weekend in July.
Sestri Levante is home to football clubU.S.D. Sestri Levante 1919, which playsSerie C Group B for the 2023-24 season. The club has mostly competed in regional level Italian competitions, with three seasons inSerie C from 1946–1949. Its home ground is the Stadio Giuseppe Sivori.
The Andersen Prize, a literary competition for children and young people, is awarded in the spring. Each year many stories participates from all over the world, in several languages.
Tigullio Ocean Racing Challenge. It is a competition between the towns ofTigullio (Santa Margherita Ligure, San Michele di Pagana, Rapallo, Zoagli, Chiavari, Lavagna and Sestri Levante) that takes place between June and August.[6]
Sagra del Bagnun is a local fair held in Riva Ponente dedicated tobagnun, a local seafood soup. It is celebrated the second-to-last weekend in July.
Barcarolata is celebrated the last Sunday of August. There is a parade of boats decorated in the most fanciful way, in the area of the Bay of Silence.[7]
"Sestri Levante" is also a song by Australian bandTame Impala, and appeared on their albumLive Versions.
Depiction inRome: Total War. In the 2004 PC video gameRome: Total War, capturing Segesta (Sestri Levante) will always be the first mission the player receives if they have chosen to play as the Julii faction. The conquest of the city is thus often seen as a first step towards the expansion of the Republic by the player.
