Sighseeing
Walking among palm and olive-trees on the Rapallo promenade you can enjoy a wonderful view of the whole bay. Facing the town, you see the beautiful coloured buildings housing caffes, hotels and restaurants, while on the other side is the sea, the Castle and the port.
Casale Park
Casale Park is situated on the east side of the gulf of Rapallo. It is accessed by the the promenade beyond the Castle. It is really a lovely place where kids can have a great time and a real enjoyment for their parents. Walking further under the shade of secular trees, you arrive at Villa Casale. From the terrace right on the cliff you will have a breathtaking view of the gulf and the town.
The castlee
The busy tourist port is at the west end of the promenade and the ancient Castle, at the other end. It rises just a few metres from the shore, surrounded by water. The Castle built in 1551 designed by Mastro Antonio Carabo to protect the town from the raids of fierce pirates, who ransacked Rapallo in 1549. It was fully restored in 1964 and today it houses temporary exhibitions.
Villa Porticciolo and Villa Casale
These are two splendid villas amid the nature of Casale Park. From the middle of the XVII century Villa Porticciolo belonged to several well-off families, untill Countess Maria Casale, its last owner, gave both the building and the park to the town of Rapallo. Villa Casale was built by the Spinolas in the XVII century and has been owned by the town of Rapallo since 1974. It now houses the International Library and the Museo del Pizzo e del Tombolo (the Lace Museum).
Church of San Francesco
The church was built in 1519. Its parvis is very particular because it is made with white and black cobble-stones following Ligurian tradition. Inside visitors will find a notable wooden Christ by Anton Maria Maragliano, an important XVII century sculptor, whose works are to be found in many churches on the Italian Riviera.
The Church of "Santi Gervasio e Protasio"
This building, rising in Corso Italia, was built in the XI century and renewed a century later. But only in 1606 it acquired its present structure. The bell-tower was erected in the XVIII century and the façade dates back to 1857. Inside one can see numerous notable paintings - as the "Miracle of St. Biagio" by Domenico Fiasella and the "Deposition" attributed to Luca Cambiaso for example.
The historical centre of Rapallo
Walking along Corso Italia will take you arrive at Piazza Cavour where Via Venezia, Via Mazzini and Via Marsala begin. This is the historical centre of Rapallo where once was the Medieval village.
