The Beauties of Liguria Trivia Quiz

Answer: Balzi Rossi

The Balzi Rossi were inhabited since prehistory. Their name ("rossi" means red) comes from the colour of the caves' walls. First excavated in the late XIX century, they contain burial sites, sculptures, wall paintings, and numerous objects of everyday life. Grotta del Genovese is in Sicily, in the marvellous island of Levanzo, and it also has prehistoric paintings.

The Caves of Frasassi are in central Italy, in the Marche region, while the Caves of Castellana are in Southern Italy, in Puglia.

Answer: Villa Hanbury

The gardens of Villa Hanbury were created in the XIX century by Thomas Hanbury, a wealthy Englishman who apparently had become rich in China. They include plants from all over the world, in the number of about six thousand! The Boboli Gardens are in Florence, while Villa Borghese is in Rome, and the Nervi park is in Genoa.

Answer: Triora

In 1588, several women from Triora were put on trial and condemned as witches, since they had allegedly caused a famine. Besides visiting the museum that commemorates the event, you can also see the beautiful Medieval village and the water-mills nearby. In case you are a fan of escargots, a snail fair is held in September in the surroundings.

Answer: Albisola

Ceramics started being produced in Albisola since at least the end of the XV century, and it still is one of the town's main industries. Many examples of monochrome and polychrome manufacts can be found in the local museum, or bought in the numerous shops. Albisola also boasts very nice beaches.

Answer: Genova

He was indeed talking about Genoa, the capital city of Liguria. With a population of around 650.000, Genoa is one of the largest cities in Italy and one of the busiest harbours in Europe. Besides a large and well-preserved Medieval centre, it boasts many Renaissance and Baroque buildings. Traditionally a city of merchants, financiers and sailors, it was one of the four ancient "Maritime Republics". Genoa is among the European Capitals of Culture in 2004: a good moment to visit it!

Answer: Portofino

Portofino is renowned for its "piazzetta" (small square, literally), flanked by colourful buildings that were originally inhabited by fishermen, and are now home to the jet-set. The church and the lighthouse are also very beautiful. You can trek on the surrounding hills, among old trees and unspoilt nature. Camogli, Santa Margherita and Chiavari are towns on the Riviera di Levante; all of them are very charming and well worth a visit.

Answer: yes

Although the region is chiefly famous for its coast, it is indeed possible to go skiing there. Liguria is rich in mountains, where the landscape is strikingly different from the coast: in little more than one hour by car, one is transported from the warm seashore to the cold snow! Ligurian ski resorts are Alberola, Monesi, S. Stefano d'Aveto and Colle Melosa.

Answer: Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre, of course. The "Five Lands" are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Terraces created over the centuries to plant vines (Cinque Terre wine, Sciacchetrà, is rightly famous), colourful houses and narrow cobbled roads characterise the area. The "Lands" are part of a national park, which offers many trekking paths with breath-taking views.

Answer: Luni

Luni, from which the fascinating Tuscan region of Lunigiana takes its name, is in fact very close to the border with Tuscany. Its strategic location made it a Roman settlement since the II century AD, particularly because it gave easy access to the marble caves of Carrara.

It is still possible to see the remains of the Roman town and amphitheatre, and to visit the related museum. Portovenere, Lerici and Tellaro are charming little towns on the coast, close to La Spezia. Portovenere and Lerici are especially famous because the poets Byron and Shelley sojourned there.

Answer: Grana

Grana cheese is a typical product of Emilia-Romagna. On the contrary, pansotti, focaccia and pesto are absolutely Ligurian. Pansotti are a kind of triangle-shaped stuffed pasta, served with walnut sauce. Focaccia is a sort of white pizza bread (very tasty!). Pesto is a sauce made of Ligurian basil, with garlic, pine seeds and cheese. Olive oil is another famous product of the region. Buon appetito!