In the city of 1.000 white sailers: a day in Camogli, Liguria region, Italy

content:
photos:
Vote this travel review

A fabulous gulf, where the warm colors of the houses of the village are reflected in the blue sea, and where dozens of majestic sailing ships glide silently toward the horizon. If we had arrived in Camogli about two hundred years ago, we would have seen it in the full bloom of its seafaring tradition. At dawn we could see the fishermen dock and move toward their homes, recognized from far away in the midst of quell'arcobaleno doors and windows thanks to the "string course", the horizontal lines of light color on the walls.
If today Camogli, situated in a basin of the Gulf Paradise, is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the Levante Genovese, was once an important trading center, thanks to the flourishing construction of sailing ships, which began in the era of Napoleon.
The first travelers who let themselves be conquered by a mild climate and the beauty of these places were the prehistoric tribes, followed by the ancient Romans. It was in the twelfth century that the population of Villa Camulia decided to erect the castle of Dragonara, destroyed and rebuilt several times before becoming, in the year 1970, the seat of Aquarius Tyrrhenian, the forerunner of the Aquarium of Genoa. At the time, was the keeper himself who procured the fish, crustaceans and molluscs for the aquarium tanks, whose main attraction was a giant grouper.
According to one theory the name would be Casmona Camogli, the name of the island on which stands the Castle. But the explanation is the one who wants the most romantic Camogli the "house wives", which were still awaiting the return of their husbands fishermen and sailors.
The symbol of the city, built in the twelfth century and spread all the cards, is the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, overlooking the harbor below. Inside the housing the remains of San Fortunato, as well as the frescoed ceilings, stucco work in gold and precious marbles.
In the village, near a staircase, we visit the Oratory of Santa Caterina and San Prospero, probably built in 1420. Among other beautiful churches located in villages, we find the time to visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Grove, the patron saint of Camogli, built between 1612 and 1631 on the site where in 1518 the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherdess.
After this walk back on the promenade of Camogli and decide to stop for dinner at the Sigue Ostaia from O, Via Garibaldi. We are attracted by the beautiful decoration on the door and originality of the details, starting with the colored glasses and plates, whose style contributes to the warm home-like atmosphere that surrounds us in the room. As we begin to study the menu, chat with the lady Silvia, who manages the restaurant for a couple of years along with chef Osama Jordan and Cynthia who works in the room. Besides them there are also many nice company owls and owls. "The stuffed animals and pictures of owls are the mascots of the club, and are often the customers to give us. Everything stems from a story he wrote My husband, whose owl on a verse, "Sigue, Sigue" enchants all. This owl is then to eat here and is so good that will not go anymore. This explains the name of the restaurant. "
We start our dinner the flavors of Liguria revisited at times, mixed with anchovies, with panzanella and julienne smoked tuna, octopus with "chef's Fantasy", prepared according to the season with bean sprouts or the olives. Also sample the tuna tartare, served with a delicious eggplant caponata and Mixed Land Sigue, which also includes the fried chickpea patties.
We follow this rich appetizer from trofie, available white, chestnut and black squid ink. The pesto and topped with walnut sauce made in house. Gustiamo also paccheri swordfish with mint and turmeric and green fettuccine with tuna sauce. As a second, taste the dish of the restaurant, the seared tuna with breading, poppy seeds, sesame and pistachio cream, a real treat. Also sample the slices of fish to "As you wish", freshly cooked and served according to the request. Some of us take the mixed fried squid, shrimp and zucchini, and some people choose a good cut and baked potatoes with sour. Washed down with fine wines including Ligurian Pigato, Vermentino and Rossese.
We conclude the evening with homemade desserts like apple pie, chocolate cake and the cascade of strawberries, coconut and pistachio panna cotta and the King Cake, a honey parfait with toasted nuts and caramel on top.
After this wonderful day we are sure to come back here soon, and during the summer do not miss to visit the Abbey of San Fruttuoso of Capodimonte, reachable only by boat.

Francesca Bertha

INFOS:
www.comune.Camogli.ge.it
www.ostaiadaosigu.com
Ostaia da ‘O Sigù
Via Garibaldi, 82 Camogli (GE)
Tel.: 0185/770689