Liguria’s history: Romans, maritime republic, and the modern era

• The ancient region comprised various communities and did not correspond to a unified state with today’s borders.
• Luni, Genova, and Albenga reveal different Roman and later urban histories.
• Noli remained a republic until 1797; Savona came under Genoese rule as early as 1528.
• The Ligurian Republic was established in 1797; in 1815 the region became part of the Kingdom of Sardinia, and in 1861 of the Kingdom of Italy.

Before Roman rule, various Ligurian communities lived in the region; there was no unified state with today’s borders. Genova was already an important settlement. Liguria’s cultural heritage portal dates the destruction of the Etruscan-Ligurian settlement center to 204 BC and also points to the older, rectangular street grid, parts of which survived in the later city plan.

With Roman expansion, port towns and roads became more closely integrated into a wider transport network. The Roman coastal roads formed a network of different, interconnected sections. The Via Aurelia ran through Luna, today’s Luni, and Genova; the Via Aemilia Scauri continued the transport corridor northward. In the imperial era, the road network extended farther into Gaul. In Liguria, Luni, Genova, Savona, Albenga, and Ventimiglia thus mark different points along this coastal corridor. The ancient Via Aurelia should not be confused with today’s SS 1 state road.

If you want to see Roman urban history firsthand, you can start at the archaeological site of Luni: its forum, theater, and museum bring the former colony of Luna to life. Farther west, Albenga combines Roman urban history with a medieval center that remains clearly visible today.

After the Roman imperial order came to an end, political centers of power shifted; Byzantine, Lombard, and Frankish rule shaped parts of the region. In the Middle Ages, independent communes emerged from local power structures and trade relationships. Genova expanded its long-distance trade by sea and land and gained considerable influence, but Liguria was never organized uniformly or equally closely tied to the city throughout.

This development is particularly easy to trace in Genoa’s old town. Today’s old town lies largely within the walls of 1154; its streets and squares took shape between the 12th and 14th centuries. An older, rectangular street grid is still discernible among them. To follow the layout of the city at the time, walk from the cathedral through the narrow lanes toward the former bishop’s castle, and view the later squares and palaces as further layers of the city’s history. On a tour of the old town and Genoa’s Rolli Palaces, you can compare several eras within a small area.

Independent centers also remained important west of Genoa. Savona was not conquered by Genoa until 1528; Noli remained a republic until 1797. Finale came under Genoese rule in 1713, while Oneglia and Loano belonged to the Savoyard states for periods of time. These differences explain why fortresses, city walls, and historic town centers tell more than just one story. In Sarzana, the old town and its fortresses take center stage; further cultural and architectural landmarks in Liguria round out the selection.

The political map changed rapidly at the end of the 18th century. The Ligurian Republic was established under French influence in 1797. In 1805, the region was annexed to the Napoleonic Empire and divided into departments. After the Congress of Vienna, Liguria became the Duchy of Genoa within the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1815; in 1861, it became part of the newly established Kingdom of Italy. Today’s regional borders therefore do not simply correspond to the historical territories of power.

For a brief journey through time, consider an east-to-west itinerary: Luni illustrates Roman urban planning; Sarzana adds medieval and later fortifications; Genoa reveals the development of a medieval maritime city. Albenga offers a distinct perspective through its Roman and medieval heritage. For a stay in the metropolitan area, you can choose accommodation in Genoa based on location. Albenga’s local history and the fortresses of Sarzana add specific places to visit along the route. For a shorter trip, choosing a few places in the region is more rewarding than trying to cover the entire coast in one leg: Luni and Sarzana are in the east, Genoa is a focus of its own farther west, and Albenga is another on the Riviera di Ponente. Choose your base according to the period you want to explore, and plan travel between the towns by train or car rather than attempting a continuous historical walking route.