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The
isthmus between the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Wonders) and the Baia del
Silenzio (Bay of Silence) is one of the most beautiful parts of Liguria
and is the original nucleus of ancient "Segesta Tigullorium", a
centre of primary importance for the Eastern Riviera. The area has many
natural advantages: it is easily reached by sea and stands at the end of a
vast alluvial plain and at the beginning of some important communications
routes with the hinterland: leaving from Sestri, it is quite easy to reach
the passes of Monte Bracco (613 m.) and Colle di Velva (545 m.). The
"island" between the two bays was once a real island: the
isthmus was formed by the accumulation of detritus from the River Gromolo.
This was the first settled area, where you can find the twelfth-century
church of San Nicoḷ and the remains of the fortification built by the
Genoese, which was taken into the eclectic Castello Gualino in 1925 and is
today a hotel: Guglielmo Marconi carried out some important experiments in
one of its towers. Other historical buildings have been transformed into
large hotels, such as the large villas with parks in the town and on the
hills. Villa Negrotto Cambiaso is today a conference centre, while Villa
Durazzo Pallavicino is now the town hall; sumptuous Villa Balbi has been a
hotel since 1947. The town is also embellished by the eighteenth-century
Basilica of Santa Maria di Nazareth, with its neoclassical pronaos: inside
you can admire a valuable painting by Domenico Fiasella. The church of San
Pietro in Vincoli holds a wooden group by Antonio Maria Maragliano
representing the martyrdom of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria. Also of
remarkable interest is the private collection of drawings and prints in
the Galleria Rizzi.
It is well worth making an excursion to Punta Manara, Punta Baffe and
Monte Castello, which lie in the midst of Mediterranean maquis vegetation,
the municipal district of Santa Vittoria di Libiola with its ancient iron
mines, and the ancient parish church of Santo Stefano al Ponte: these
itineraries offer beautiful panoramic views and are also suitable for
mountain bikers. Near the tunnels on the way to Moneglia there is a
rock-face gymnasium.
Sestri Levante was the birthplace of the poet Giovanni Descalzo and the
critic and essay-writer Carlo Bo. The Bay of Wonders was given its name by
Hans Christian Andersen: Sestri awards an annual prize for children's
literature in his name.
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