S. Margherita Ligure: history & Notable People

History

Of Roman foundation, the village was firstly devastated by the Lombards and then by the Saracens.
Formerly divided into two small hamlets, Corte and Pescino, under the dominion of Fieschi Family, in 1229 it was subjugated to the Republic of Genoa and included in the Rapallo district.
In the second half of 18th century, thanks to the construction of Ventimiglia-Rome railway and the new roads towards Portofino and Rapallo, in Santa Margherita Ligure started the golden age of tourism and hospitality: new villas and Grand Hotels more and more frequented by famous Italian and international people. Now as then Santa Margherita Ligure is a well-known seaside resort.

Notable People

Many personalities stayed for some periods in Santa Margherita Ligure: Francesco Petrarca, famous poet of 14th century, the admiral Andrea Doria, in 16th century, the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, the painter Vasilij Kandinsky, the inventor Guglielmo Marconi, the politician Evita Perón, some famous actors like Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. In S. Margherita Ligure the poet Camillo Sbarbaro, the writer and journalist Vittorio Giovanni Rossi and the contemporary photographer Gianni Berengo Gardin were born.

hotel

• Hotel Park Suisse
• Hotel Helios

tourist services

• Servizio Marittimo del Tigullio
• Gruppo Albergatori Santa Margherita Ligure/Portofino

Restaurants

• Ristorante Karalis

location

• Villa Durazzo