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Chiavari
Although Chiavari is an important and well known touristic harbour along the
East Coast of Genova, it still maintains its own characteristics as a busy
sea village. Its 'borgo', the core of the old village, was founded in the
XII Century at the mouth of the river Entella, by the Republic of Genova.
Its Middle Age origin is still very apparent in its castle remains and in
its arcades flanking on to the streets parallel to the coast and crossed by
many narrow lanes called 'vicoli'. Between the XVII and XVIII Centuries
Chivari improved its power and looks by the presence of noble families and
buildings. reaching its main architectural renovation in the XIX Century,
the period to which we owe the present look of the center of the town.The present main street by the name "Via Martiri della Liberazione", is nicely called Caruggio dritto (straight way) by the locals, and crosses the entire town centre from East to West. Its arcades are the most popular among the other towns and villages along that coast and they invite pedestrians to visit the variety of traditional shops underneath them. These shops recall the prosperous business life of the town during the last two centuries, which was able to start and run a proper bank holding the same name of the town. (could be, "which began with the running of a proper bank holding the same name of the town"). Nowadays that 'Carugio dritto' is the perfect place for a very popular and characteristic outdoor antiques market which takes place every two weeks along the arcades. As an area for handicraft tradition Chiavari is known for the production of itsstraw-bottomed chairs called either 'campanine' or 'chiavarine'.
