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Chiavari is a seaside town that extends between the Entella torrent, the hinterland valley and the Rupinaro torrent. Chiavari is a town of ancient urban traditions, but it also carries out residential, service and artisan functions. In fact, since the 19th century Chiavari is famous for its production in chairs called “campnino” and macramé. Because of Chiavari’s favorable position near the confluence of the valleys of the Lavagna, Sturla and Graveglia torrents, this made it easy to communicate with the Po Valley area. Since Medieval times and during the Genoese domain, Chiavari has always played an important strategic and commercial role.
Chiavari’s role has been proven thanks to numerous and important architectures. The discovery of a necropolis that dates back to the 8th or 7th century B.C., proves the existence of a pre-roman settlement. The first documentations date back to the 10th century when the residential area was probably not more then just a district of Pieve di Levagna. During the 12th century between politics and the expansion of Genoa in Levante, the town of Chiavari was built in its urban structure by Genoese consul’s, which clearly defined its precise defensive plan. Its peculiar structure is still visible due to the construction of a castle and walls. Due to the town’s military structure, during the 15th century the vicarial authorities were substituted by a captain and the district of Chiavari was then named Capitaneato.
In 1368 the urban activities were first on the ancient and inner streets of the town, but then they moved to the “carrugio dritto”, installing an urban hierarchy divided into social classes. In the 15th century the civic functions were initially within the S.Giovanni piazza, but they were then transferred to the small city built by the Genoese governor Boucicault and directly placed on the “carrugio dritto.” The compact construction built in rows was a typical structure during Medieval times and it remained intact up until the late 16th century when a late Renaissance architectonic style restored the emerging homes. The plague of 1656 caused a great social and economic decline, however, the 18th century marks a growing economic and cultural period. Proof of this great period can be seen through the construction of palazzi in the western area that were built outside the destructed walls. The 19th century was marked by the construction of new roads that helped expand the city under Napoleon and it installed the modern city.
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