Camogli

Camogli is a small Italian fishing village located just at the basis of Monte di Portofino.

Nowadays, Camogli is a famous tourist resort in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. However, Camogli has ancient origins, since prehistoric times, as shown by traces of human settlements found at Castellaro dating to the XII and XIII centuries BC. In the same area were also found some Roman artefacts dating back to the second century BC. The next historical certified evidence of Camogli existence is contained in a document of the Middle Ages, the date ranges between 1018 and 1045, in which Camogli is cited with as 'Villa Camuli'.

The name has a double meaning in Italian. The first translation, "houses close together" - "case a mucchi" is the italian translation of the Genoese dialect sentence "cà a mûggi" - is apparent when strolling through the town's narrow streets, which are lined by tall columns of pastel-colored homes. The second meaning, "houses of wives" - "casa delle mogli" is the italian translation of the Genoese dialect sentence "cà de möggê" - refers to the sea captains, sailors, and fishermen's wives, who traditionally spent their time at home while their husbands were out in the sea.

The first core of the village dates back to medieval and develops in the area called 'Isola', where there is the Castel Dragone also known as 'Castello della Dragonara'. In the Middle Age the castle was built as a fortress for defending Camogli during the pirate raids from the sea. In the sixteenth century, the castle ceased to be a fortress and was used as a prison.

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