Sestri Levante (Latin: Segesta Tigullorum/Segesta Tigulliorum) is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Genoa, Liguria, Italy. Lying on the Mediterranean Sea, it is approximately 40 km (25 miles) south-east of Genoa and is set on a promontory. While nearby Portofino and the Cinque Terre are probably the best-known tourist destinations on the Italian Riviera, Sestri Levante has become popular among Italians. This once quiet fishing village has slowly turned into a tourist hotspot, developing an old and a new town. The people of Sestri Levante often use the expression: “Sestri è scialla”. This expression symbolizes the quiet nature of the city of Sestri Levante, known for its stunning views.
Sestri Levante is found approximately halfway between Genoa and La Spezia. The town has two bays: Baia delle Favole, (Bay of the Fables), and Baia del Silenzio, the (Bay of Silence). The original part of Sestri Levante is actually on a peninsula, with the Baia del Silenzio (also known as “Portobello”) on one side and Baia delle Favole on the other. Baia delle Favole or “Bay of Fairy Tales” was named in honor of Danish writer, Hans Christian Andersen, who lived in Sestri Levante for a short time in 1833.
Cantiere navale di Riva Trigoso is a shipyard founded in 1897 by Erasmo Piaggio in Riva Trigoso, it mostly built commercial ships. In 1925, the Piaggio heirs decided to spin off the drydock business and the company was renamed Cantieri del Tirreno. It diversified into building warships and was heavily damaged during World War II. The shipyard was merged into Italcantieri in 1973 and then into Fincantieri in 1984.
Sestri Levante is known for Bagnun, a soup made with fresh anchovies, onions and basil. In the past, it was usually associated with the summer season and the many sailors in Sestri Levante, but nowadays it is enjoyed all year round by all kinds of residents, typically accompanied by country-style bread. Bagnun has since spawned a local festival which takes place the second-to-last weekend in July.
