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This
is one of the largest municipalities on the Eastern Riviera. It lies
sheltered from winds and currents in an inlet on the Golfo del Tigullio:
this beautiful temperate spot was already inhabited in pre-Roman times by
the Tigulli of Liguria. Under Genoese dominion from 1229 to 1797, the
castle overlooking the sea that can still be visited today was built there
in 1550 for defence against numerous incursions.
Rapallo is an important international tourist attraction because of the
high quality of hotel accommodation and it also hosts important cultural
events, such as the national literary prize for women writers and the
international cartoon exhibition. The bathing areas are flanked by the two
tourist ports, which can berth up to 900 boats. Besides offering
prestigious buildings as venues for conferences and conventions (such as
the former convent of the Poor Clares, today and auditorium), the town
also has a fine seaside promenade with its famous outdoor cafés. There
are excellent sports facilities, such as the Olympic swimming pools, the
horse-riding club, minigolf and rifle shooting club. Also well known is
the 18-hole golf course, one of the most popular in Italy, which is
situated next to the ruins of the Valle Christi, a Cistercian monastery
founded in 1204. Other religious buildings of importance are the
collegiate church of Santi Gervasio e Protasio, the church of Santo
Stefano and the Oratorio dei Neri (with a fifteenth-century tower). The
church of San Francesco has a fine, recently-restored altar-piece by
Giovanni Battista Casoni. The Sanctuary of Montallegro, which can be
reached by cable car, is the most important religious centre in the
Tigullio area: the patron saint's festival is held in July and is famous
for its fireworks display. The pathway leading up to the sanctuary is also
very interesting, as is the route to San Fruttuoso. There are also other
paths leading into the hills and looking down onto the coast. These are
part of the Monte di Portofino Nature Park and offer you a fine view of
typical Mediterranean flora: olives, holm oaks, gorse and, higher up,
chestnut trees.
"Cubeletti" are typical jam pastries made in Rapallo.
Lace-making also has a long tradition here, and seventeenth-century Villa
Tigullio houses a local lace museum.
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