Traveling in Italy (VI): Santa Margherita Ligure

Santa Margherita Ligure, located on the Mediterranean coast in northern Italy, is a charming, beautiful, and tranquil seaside town. It was discovered on the way to Portofino. Compared to many surrounding areas, Santa Margherita Ligure does not have an 'ancient' history. There is still no clear evidence that the Romans ever visited this place. The earliest mention of this name in documents dates back to the 12th century. The current Santa Margherita Ligure is actually a merger of two neighboring medieval fishing villages. In 1813, under the rule of the Napoleonic Empire, Pescino and the nearby Corte were merged to form 'Porto Napoleone.' Two years later, this port area was incorporated into the Kingdom of Sardinia, forming the Santa Margherita Ligure district. The train station of Santa Margherita Ligure is located right in the city center. There is a bus stop near the seaside outside the train station, and it takes only a few minutes to walk to the ferry terminal from here. The seaside has a wide promenade lined with signature palm trees. On one side of the palm trees is the calm Mediterranean Sea, while the other side is filled with bars, restaurants, and cafes. Foreign tourists always sit in the outdoor seating areas, looking as if they are enjoying themselves. Behind these restaurants, on a slightly sloping hill, is the residential area of the locals. The center of this area houses the local main church, the Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia. The Basilica of Santa Margherita (Basilica di Santa Margherita) is an important religious building here, built on the remains of a 13th-century structure.