Description
The Passeggiata Anita Garibaldi, to the Genoese simply the Nervi promenade, is a pedestrian seafront walk of almost two kilometres along the cliffs, from Nervi's little harbour to the old landing place of Capolungo, with the Portofino promontory on the horizon.
The path runs high above the rocks, among coves and natural pools formed by the rock, where people swim in summer thanks to the ladders along the coast. Bars, cafés and small bathing establishments are tucked in among the rocks.
The most recognisable landmark is the 16th-century Torre Gropallo, built together with the castle above the little harbour to defend the coast from Dragut's corsairs. It was also called the Hay Tower: at the top, wet hay was burned to send smoke signals in case of danger.
Along the way the Marinella building also stands out, an example of Rationalist architecture. And from the promenade you can go straight up to the Parks of Nervi, with monumental trees, the large rose garden and a population of grey squirrels used to getting peanuts from visitors.
The climate is mild even in winter, because the hills behind Nervi shelter the coast: the promenade is lovely on clear days and also when the scirocco blows and the waves break into foam against the rocks.
It began as a path used by fishermen and farmers from the early decades of the 19th century to reach their boats and their fields by the sea. In 1862 the Marquis Gaetano Gropallo, who had bought the tower, had the real promenade built.
At first it was split in two, because in the middle lay the grounds of a private villa: the second stretch, to Capolungo, came in 1872. Since 1959 it has been closed to cars and is pedestrian only.
It has changed its name several times: it was dedicated to the Princess of Piedmont, then in 1944 renamed Decima Flottiglia MAS, and in 1945 the city dedicated it to Anita Garibaldi. It also appears in several films, including Nanni Moretti's Palombella rossa.
The path runs high above the rocks, among coves and natural pools formed by the rock, where people swim in summer thanks to the ladders along the coast. Bars, cafés and small bathing establishments are tucked in among the rocks.
The most recognisable landmark is the 16th-century Torre Gropallo, built together with the castle above the little harbour to defend the coast from Dragut's corsairs. It was also called the Hay Tower: at the top, wet hay was burned to send smoke signals in case of danger.
Along the way the Marinella building also stands out, an example of Rationalist architecture. And from the promenade you can go straight up to the Parks of Nervi, with monumental trees, the large rose garden and a population of grey squirrels used to getting peanuts from visitors.
The climate is mild even in winter, because the hills behind Nervi shelter the coast: the promenade is lovely on clear days and also when the scirocco blows and the waves break into foam against the rocks.
It began as a path used by fishermen and farmers from the early decades of the 19th century to reach their boats and their fields by the sea. In 1862 the Marquis Gaetano Gropallo, who had bought the tower, had the real promenade built.
At first it was split in two, because in the middle lay the grounds of a private villa: the second stretch, to Capolungo, came in 1872. Since 1959 it has been closed to cars and is pedestrian only.
It has changed its name several times: it was dedicated to the Princess of Piedmont, then in 1944 renamed Decima Flottiglia MAS, and in 1945 the city dedicated it to Anita Garibaldi. It also appears in several films, including Nanni Moretti's Palombella rossa.