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Camogli is an ancient and picturesque fishing village located about 15 miles from Genoa between Portofino and the Ligurian Sea on the Eastern Italian Riviera. Unlike many other seaside resorts, Camogli has an unhurried laid-back atmosphere and the friendly people there take it easy. Although not as well known as its more famous neighbor, Portofino, Camogli is an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Camogli means "houses of wives,"; it refers to the fishermen's wives, who traditionally spent much of their time at home alone while their husbands were out fishing at sea.
Once in town, visitors can admire the sight of the old fishermen's pastel-colored houses - which all front onto the sea and are very picturesque, having been painted yellow, pink and red. Their facades are tall and narrow, and some of the houses are as much as 8 stories tall.
The old harbor is crowded with fishing boats, ferries and yachts moored there. The harbor is shielded by a pier and is dominated by an ancient castle and an old parish church at the top of steep stairs. The church has distinctive Baroque features and contains some paintings by L. Bambiaso and other famous Italian artists. Walking further up the stairs there is the Castello della Dragonara, whose first foundations date back to the year 1000. The castle is perched on a rock and affords a splendid view of Camogli and its harbor. One of Camogli's most popular tourist attractions is its annual festival and fish-fry held during the second weekend of May. On Saturday, the "blessing of the fish" festivities include music, dancing, bonfires and a spectacular fireworks show. On Sunday the town brings out what is said to be the largest skillet in the world (about 12 feet in diameter) and fries up huge helpings of fresh fish to the assembled crowd.

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