I have been researching the history of Campania Italy for over ten years as this is one of the two regions that my family comes from. Both of my father’s parents are from Naples, and I have traced my grandmother’s family back centuries.  I’ve been their once and hope to go back again soon.  Both of my grand mother’s families are listed in the Nobilita Napolitana.  The Caracciolo’s and Piromallo’s lived on or near Via Carbonara and the Sorrentino’s live on Vico Luongo.  You can search the family names in this blog for more information. One Ancestral home of the Caracciolo family is now the Hotel Caracciolo in Naples, and I understand that the Villa Piromallo on Ischia is still partly owned by someone in the family. Read about my Campagna Roots Join Our Facebeook Group Italian Roots and Genealogy History of Campania Italy Originally inhabited by the Ausoni (or Aurunci) and Opici, In the 8th century BC the region was colonized by the Greeks who founded the city of Cuma. In the 6th century BC the Etruscans established around Capua a federation of twelve towns, which fought and defeated the Greeks in 524 and 474 BC. Then in the 5th century BC both Capua and Cuma were conquered by the warlike Samnites. Between 343 and 290 BC three wars were fought between Samnites and Romans, who finally occupied the region. Rich Roman families built villas and gardens in the beautiful Neapolitan Gulf, until the ominous Vesuvius eruption in 89 AD covered in lava the Roman cities of Pompei and Ercolanus. After the fall of the roman Empire Campania was alternatively under the Goths and the Byzanthines, then it was conquered by the Lombards in 570 AD who established here the Dukedom of Benevento, while Amalfi became a rich independent sea trade center. In 1139 the region was conquered by the Normans, then became part of the Kingdom of Sicily under the Anjou (13th century) and Aragonese (15th century). The Spaniards (1503-1707) were followed by the Austrians (1707 to 1734) until Charles VII Bourbon (1734) became King of Naples. After the unity to Italy in 1860 there arose serious economic problems, among them a tragical cholera epidemic in 1884, events which started a massive exodus of the population to the North of Italy and abroad. During WW2 the Allied Anglo-American forces landed in the region on 9 September 1943 and the bombings that followed, as well as the destruction caused by the retreating German army, caused innumerable victims among the population. From Enchanting Italy  History of Campania Italy Geography Campania, regione,southern Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Seabetween the Garigliano (Lower Liri) River (north) and the Gulf of Policastro (south). The region comprises the provinces of Avellino, Benevento, Caserta, Napoli, and Salerno. Campania is mountainous and hilly, the Neapolitan Apennines in the extreme east giving way to the slightly lower uplands of the Matese and Picentini mountains, with the Cilento mountain area extending to the coast in the south. The coastal lowlands north of Naples (the Volturno River basin and the Terra di Lavoro) and south of Salerno (the plain of the lower Sele River) are separated from each other by the volcanic regions around the Bay of Naples—the Campi Flegrei and Mount Vesuvius—and by the Lattari Mountains, which stretch inland from the Sorrento peninsula. The only rivers of any size are the Volturno and the Sele with their tributaries. Among the intermontane basins, Benevento is the most important. Vairano Patenora: castleThe castle at Vairano Patenora, Campania regione, Italy.© Insuratelu Gabriela Gianina/Shutterstock.com Ancient Campania, although its boundaries were extended several times, was smaller than the present region, remaining limited to the area between the Volturno (ancient Volturnus) and the Sorrento peninsula. Early settled by Greek colonists and by the Etruscans, the region was dominated by the city of Capua (modern Santa Maria Capua Vetere) after its foundation in the 6th century bc. Campani, the Roman name for the inhabitants of Capua and later those of the Campanian plain, is actually pre-Roman and appears with terminations (suffixes) inscribed in Oscan (an ancient Italic dialect) on coins struck for or by the Samnites, the conquerors of Campania in the late 5th century bc. Samnite Capua became the ally of Rome about 340 bc, and the whole region was Romanized by the end of the 4th century and later flourished as a coloniaand then a region of the Roman Empire. Cumae, Nola, and Puteoli (modern Pozzuoli) were important ancient centres. After the fall of Rome, Campania was occupied successively by the Goths, Byzantines, and Lombards. Conquered by the Normans in the 11th century and incorporated in the kingdom of Sicily in the 12th century, it became part of the Kingdom of Naples after the Wars of Sicilian Vespers against the French in 1282. Campania was united with Italy in 1860.   The major farming areas of Campania are the fertile coastal lowlands, particularly those of the Terra di Lavoro and the plains around Vesuvius. The land utilization in these areas is intensive and is characterized by interculture, with plots of land producing cereals on the ground, fruit on the trees along the edges of the plots, and grapes from vines trailing between the trees. The chief crops are fruit (apricots, apples, peaches, nuts, citrus, and grapes), early vegetables, and flowers and such industrial crops as tobacco and hemp. Campanian wines are famous throughout Italy. Fishing is important in the Bay of Naples, Procida and Torre del Greco being the leading ports. Campania is the only region of southern Italy with a major concentration of industry, most of it centred on Naples, the regional capital, and some around Salerno. Metallurgy, chemicals, machinery and tools, textiles, agricultural industries (canning, flour milling, macaroni, tobacco), and shipbuilding are the main branches. Naples and its suburbs have a flourishing artisan industry working coral, pearls, tortoiseshell, leather, and lace. The tourist trade in Naples, on the Sorrento peninsula, and on the islands of Capri and Ischia is a major source of income. Naples is a leading Italian port and is also the regional transportation centre. Internal coastal communications in the region are relatively easy, but the highly dissected character of the interior made road and rail travel “across the grain,” in the west-east direction, difficult until the construction of the expressway Autostrada del Sole. Area 5,249 square miles (13,595 square km). Pop. (2006 est.) 5,790,929.   This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen, Corrections Manager.  Citation InformationArticle Title:CampaniaWebsite Name:Encyclopaedia BritannicaPublisher:Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.Date Published:09 February 2018URL:https://www.britannica.com/place/Campania-region-ItalyAccess Date:May 16, 2019 Me trying to get into the Sorrentino club August 1996.  I tried to explain that I was a Sorrentino and just wanted a quick photo in side.  The waiter pointed to a table of men wearing fedoras and smoking big cigars.  Ok I get it! Loved the food, loved the people, dodged the traffic. The man asked, “Are you going to the beach”?  Yeah.  “Take the elevator”.  OK.  I think it was something like $17 US for the tourista’s Campania Gallery June 2022 Click here to join Italian Genealogy on Facebook Not my video, but very nicely done. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0LswiyTYfo

Gerry and Andy Sadler talk about their mum’s life in Italy before and during WWII, moving to the UK to marry their dad and her assisting other Italian’s in Woking. Also, how she was knighted for her efforts. Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

Derrick Townsend tells us when and why he got the calling to start his research and his English dad and Italian mom. Podcast Visit Our Shop Click here to join our group on Facebook Video

My connection to Sicily is interesting.  While not really Sicilian, many of my ancestors had some hand in ruling there, either directly of indirectly.  For example, the Hauteville, Hohenstaufen, Angevin French, the Argagonese and Spanish Hapsburgs are all part of my family tree going back almost 1000 years.  Also, my wife’s mom is from Sciaccia, and her family is Proietto, Baldasanno, DeMino, Gelardi and some Cusumano. Reading through the history, it’s not surprising that when “Sicilian’s” do a DNA test, there is a number of nationalities that show up. My wife is 10% Norwegian!  Scroll to the bottom to see some of my ancestors that were involved in The History of Sicily Italy. THE HISTORY OF SICILY ITALY  Over 2,500 years at a strategic crossroads of the western world have left Sicily with an unparalleled historical legacy. Nowhere else have Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, Germans, Spanish, Italians and even British left such an indelible impression. Whether you are more attracted by Greek temples, Roman villas and aqueducts, Norman cathedrals or Baroque churches, Sicily offers a range of historical sites that is not easily matched. A timetable of the history of Sicily 20,000-750 BC Pre-Greek History 20,000-10,000: Paleolithic settlements. What’s left to see: cave paintings at Levanzoand Addaura 4,000-3,000 Neolithic settlements in the east, pottery and tools found. What’s left to see: remains displayed in museum on Lipari 3,000-2,000 The copper age: more settlers arrive from the Aegean. Evidence of cultivation, animal husbandry and trade. 2,000-1,000 The Bronze age, with significant Mycenaean influence. What’s left to see: Capo Graziano and Punta Milazzese in Aeolian Islands. 1250 approx Ausonians move to the Aeolian Islands and the Sikels occupy the east and begin moving inland. Sicans (from North Africa) and Elymians (Trojan refugees) settle in West. What’s left to see: Sikel necropolis in Pantalica. 900-700 Carthaginians (Phoenicians from eastern Mediterranean) replace the Mycenaean and settled Panormus (Palermo), Solunto and Mothya. What’s left to see: Phoenician colonies at Mothya, Solunto. 750-215 BC – The Greeks 734 Colonisation of Naxos (near Taormina). Greeks begin to arrive in search of land in development of a wealthy “Magna Graecia”. Naxians followed by Megarians at Megara Hyblaea, Corinthians at Ortygia (Syracuse), Rhodians, Cretans and Cnidians at Gela. What’s left to see: Taormina, Ortygia, Megara Hyblaea, Erice. Mother Colonies start to form dependent city states. What’s left to see: Agrigento, Selinunte, Segesta, Eraclea Minoa. Sicily proves extremely fertile and olives and vines are introduced. Trade intensifies and Sicilian Magna Graecia becomes extremely rich. Internal rivalries lead to bloody war: 480 Battle of Himera: a rare alliance of Gela, Agrigento and Syracuse defeat the Carthaginians heralding the beginning of a “Golden Age”.450 Rebellion led by Ducetius (a Hellenised Sikel), quashed by Syracuse, confirming their power. 415-413 Athenian invasion (the Great Expedition) of Syracuse in support of Segestaagainst Syracusan Tyrants fails leaving 7000 Athenian soldiers in slavery. Read more about the Greeks in Sicily:  A mythical land >> Siracusa defeats the mighty Athens >>  264-211 BC –  The Punic Wars 264-241 First Punic War: Romans use the Sikels against Carthage. What’s left to see: Punic Ship at Marsala. 218-201 Second Punic war: Syracuse falls in 211 giving way to Roman rule 218 BC – 468 AD  – The Romans  44 Sextus Pompey seizes Sicily, interrupting grain exports and resulting in harsh retributions at his overthrow. 139-132 First slave revolt 104-100 Second slave revolt against Roman rule. Forests are destroyed for shipbuilding and the resulting fields become “The Granary of Rome” or “the nurse at whose breast the Roman people is fed”. Relative calm reigns though many Greek temples are despoiled. The Roman sack of Sicily rises to its peak under the governorship of Verres, who Cicero prosecutes. Greek culture and language remain strong. What’s left to see: grain fields in the interior, Villa Romana del Casaleat Piazza Armerina, the “Roman” theatre at Taorminaand the Roman theatre and amphitheatre in Catania. Read more about the Romans in Sicily: The Roman sack of Sicily >> 468-476 – The Vandals 468-476 Vandals (of Germanic origins) invade from North Africa 476-535  – The Ostrogoths 476-535 Ostrogoths rule Sicily 535-827 – The Byzantines 535 –  The Byzantines (under Belisario) occupy Sicily and are embraced by a still very strong Greek culture.  663  – Syracuse briefly replaces Constantinople as the capital of the Byzantine empire. 700 approx – Pantelleria occupied by Moors 827-1061 – The Arabs 827 – Beginning of Arab invasion with landing of 10,000 Arabs, Berbers and Spanish Muslims (collective term Saracens) at Mazara del Vallo. 832 – Arabs conquer Palermo making it their capital. Palermo becomes one of the most populous and cosmopolitan centres in the world. Trade flourishes, sophisticated irrigation systems built. Taxes reduce and an era of religious tolerance begins. What’s left to see: Place names (Calta…., Gibil….), Citrus trees, Sugar Cane. Thermal Baths at Cefala’ Diana. 878 – Arabs conquer Syracuse. 1038 – Byzantines attempt to exploit Arab feuding as General George Maniakes tries to bring Sicily back under the influence of Constantinople. Read more about the Arabs in Sicily: The Arabs in Sicily >>A unique architectural fusion >>  1060-1194 – The Normans 1059 – Pope Nicolo’ II authorises the Hauteville family of Normans (present in Calabria and Puglia) to occupy any area of Southern Italy as long as they don’t recognise the power of Constantinople. 1064 -Norman Roger Hauteville invades Messina in response to a call for help from the Arabs against the Byzantines. 1071  – Normans take Palermo following a six month naval blockade. What’s left to see: S. Giovanni dei Lebbrosi (Palermo). 1071 onwards – the Normans take possession of Sicily, but they are few so have to accept and integrate Arab administration and justice systems. They make use of Arab and Byzantine craftsmen and architects provoking a fusion of talent and leaving an incredible legacy of art and architecture. Arabic is replaced by French and Italian and the clerical hierarchy is Latinised bringing 1,500 years of Greek influence to an end. What’s left to see: Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel in Palermo. Fortifications all over the Island. The castle at Erice. 1130-1154  – King Roger II extends huge influence over the Mediterranean region. What’s left to see: Cefalu Cathedral; S.Giovanni degli Eremiti, Martorana and Magione churches in Palermo. 1154-1166  – King William I (William the Bad) exploits his position and fails to control barons. Englishman Walter of the Mill became archbishop of Palermo. What’s left to see: Palermo Cathedral; “La Zisa” (palace in Palermo). 1166-1189 King William II (William the Good) establishes second archbishopric at Monreale. What’s left to see: Cathedral at Monreale. Royal Palace in Palermo. 1189-1194 Fast decline of Norman power following divisions after the death of William II (age 36). Roger II’s aunt marries Hohenstaufen Henry. 1190 – Richard I of England (Richard the Lion-Heart) stops in Messina on his way to the Third Crusade, sacking the city. Read more about the Normans in Sicily: A unique architectural fusion >>  1194-1266 – The Hohenstaufen (Swabians) 1194 – The Hohenstaufen arrive to little opposition and Henry VI is crowned King of Sicily. He is succeeded by Frederick II (Stupor Mundi) under whose reign poetry, science, law and medicine advance. After his death, the Pope sells Sicily to the King of England, who gives it to his 8 year old son Edmund of Lancaster. What’s left to see: fortified castles in Milazzo, Catania (Castello Ursino) and Siracusa (Castello Maniace). 1266-1282 – The Angevin French 1266 – The French Pope deposes Edmund and gives Sicily to Charles of Anjou (brother of Louis IX). The Angevins oppress Sicily as no previous power has, (high taxes and division of baronial fiefs among French aristocrats), and are generally detested. 1282  – The Sicilian Vespers, a popular uprising killing thousands of French occupiers, pave the way for a new conqueror. What’s left to see: the castle in Sperlinga (last refuge for defeated Angevins) Read more about the Sicilian Vespers: The Sicilian Vespers >> 1282-1516 – The Aragonese 1282 – Peter of Aragon lands in Trapani and is acclaimed king at Palermo. The arrival of the Aragonese means the beginning of five centuries of Spanish domination and isolation from Italy and consequently from Europe. 1282-1302  – War of the Vespers between Aragonese and Angevins fought mainly on mainland Italy and in Spain. 1302  – Peace of Caltabellotta gives Sicily to the Aragonese and Mainland territories in Southern Italy to the French. 14th Century Ineffectual government with power in the hands of nobility. Black death decimates the population. 15th Century  – Linked to Spain and cut off from Italian mainland (held by Angevins except for a brief period during reign of Alphonse II 1416-1458), Sicily becomes more isolated. With the discovery of America in 1492 Spanish attention shifts for good from the Mediterranean. Sicily falls under the control of corrupt nobility and the inquisition brings religious tolerance to an end. What’s left to see: Chiaramonte and Catalan-Gothic villas in Palermo. 1516-1713 – The Spanish Habsburgs 16th Century – Isolation and misgovernment continues. Nobility reinforce the feudal system forcing peasants off the land and leaving estates in the hands of Massari or Gabellotti, bailiffs charged with collection of rent. Sicily is now essentially a source of funds for Spanish expansion. Discontent leads to rise of brigandry supported by oppressed population who find defence from prosecution in a code of silence, or “omertà”… the beginnings of the Mafia. What’s left to see: Remains of fortified Masserie (farm estates) all over the agricultural interior. 17th Century Repression is compounded by disease and disaster as Sicily’s misery deepens under continuing Spanish misrule. Insurrection in the big cities is effectively and violently quashed.  What’s left to see: the main grid system of the old centre of Palermo. The Quattro Canti, Baroque churches. 1647 – Revolt of Palermo 1669  – Huge eruption of Etna destroys much around Catania. 1674-78 Revolt of Messina 1693 Earthquake and following plague destroys much of the east coast and kills 5% of the population. Followed by massive rebuilding programme, leaving some of the most spectacular Baroque architecture in Europe. What’s left to see: Baroque architecture in Ragusa, Syracuse, Noto.1700 Charles II dies. 1713-1720  – Piedmontese. 1713 – Treaty of Utrecht following the death of Charles II of Spain gives Sicily to the House of Savoy. 1720-1734 – The Austrian Habsburgs 1720 – The House of Savoy trades Sicily with the Austrians for Sardinia. 1734-1806 – The Bourbons 18th Century The continuation of indirect Spanish rule through a pampered, parasitic and corrupt nobility results in increased oppression and virtual elimination of wealth production. Sicily is excluded from the revolutionary spirit of the French revolution. What’s left to see: late Baroque palaces and churches all over Sicily. 1734 – Bourbon King Charles I (1734-59) reclaims Sicily for the Spanish 1740 John Woodhouse begins production and export of fortified wines at Marsala. “Woodhouse” Marsala wine label, now managed by Florio. What’s left to see: various wineries in Marsala.1759 – Charles I becomes Charles III of Spain leaving Sicily to be governed indirectly by Ferdinand IV of Naples. 1799 – Napoleon invades Naples, forcing Ferdinand to flee to Palermo in Admiral Nelson’s flagship. Nelson is rewarded by the king with a large holding near mount Etna. What’s left to see: Castel Nelson at Maniace. 1806-1815 – British Administration 1812 Lord Bentinck (commander of British forces) forces introduction of a two-chamber parliament based on British model. Abolition of feudal privileges. Increase in Malvasia wine production to supply Nelson’s fleet, based in Messina.1815 Napoleon is defeated and the British abandon Sicily to the Bourbons. Read more about the British in Sicily: Rule Britannia – Nelson in Sicily >> 1815-1860 – The Bourbons 1815 Ferdinand returns to Naples and declares himself Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies. British designed constitution is abandoned. Next 45 years Revolutionary spirit grows as Spanish rule becomes increasingly untenable. 1832  – a new island appears to the south of Sciacca and is simultaneously claimed by French, British and Bourbons. Named Ferdinandea by the Bourbons (after Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies) and Graham Island by the British (after Sir James Robert George Graham of the Admiralty) the island disappered before war could be declared between the contesting powers. It now lies 8 metres below the surface and presents a significant shipping hasard.  1860-1946 – The unification of Italy (Monarchy) 1860 – Garibaldi begins unification of Italy having landed at Marsala on 11 May. Swift defeat of the Bourbons. Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy declared King. After unification Sicily is once again in the hands of a distant government. Old aristocracy maintained most privileges. Misgovernment, few voting rights, increased taxation and conscription lead to more discontent. 1866 – Revolt of Palermo quashed by Turin. 1886 – Ernesto Basile builds “il Teatro al Massimo” opera house in Palermo. What’s left to see: Opera House and countless “Liberty” style buildings and Villas in Palermo, Mondello, Bagheria, and Sferracavallo.1891-94 Fasci Siciliani (workers organisations) achieve some improvements in land laws, but are quashed by 15,000 troop sent to Palermo by prime minister Francesco Crispi. 1908 80,000 killed in Messina earthquake. 1914 – Repression leads to frustration and mass emigration of peasants. Wage increases due to labour shortage. 1922-43 – Mussolini becomes prime minister. Cesare Mori imprisons 1,000s of Mafia suspects pushing criminals underground. 1930s Sicily is of essential strategic importance during Mussolini’s colonisation attempts in North Africa. 1943 – Following 6 weeks of bombing, allies land at Gela and Syracuse to begin liberation of Europe from Hitler’s Germany. Heavy damage to much of old Palermo and Messina. Read more about the unification of Italy and the 2nd World War in Sicily: To Rome or Death! Garibaldi in Sicily >> The Allied Invasion of Sicily >> 1946-Today – The Italian Republic 1946 Sicily becomes an autonomous region of Italy 1951-1971 – 1.5 million people emigrate, mainly to Northern Italy, Germany and the USA. 1958 – Italy joins the European Union (then the Common Market) 1968 – Major earthquake in the Val di Belice. Remains of Gibellina and Poggio Reale.1986-1987 – “Maxiprocessi” against over 500 Mafia members. 1992 – Giulio Andreotti steps down as Prime Minister. 1992 – Mafia assassinations of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino.  1993  -Arrest of Salvatore Riina (boss of bosses) in Corleone. Since 1993: Mayors of Palermo, Catania and Syracuse started ongoing process of restoration of old town centres.The opening and maintaining of marine reserves and national parks to protect the rich flora and fauna.The formation of the “Etna Valley” industrial parks to promote the development of High tech and pharmaceutical companies. 1994 – Silvio Berlusconi’s first national government. 1997 – Agrigento and the Villa Romana del Casale become UNESCO world heritage sites. 1997 – The Teatro Massimo (the third largest opera house in Europe) reopens in Palermo after 25 years of closure. 2000 – the Aeolian Island listed as UNESCO world heritage site. What’s left to see: Aeolian Islands: Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi. 2001 – Berlusconi returns as Prime Minister of Italy with 100% of Sicilian seats. 2002 – The late Baroque towns of the Noto Valley have been listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO. What’s left to see: Noto, Ibla, Scicli, Modica, Ragusa, Caltagirone, Militello Val di Catania, Catania, Palazzolo Acreide. From the Thinking Traveller My Second Cousin’s Husband When He Arrived in the US around 1920. The coolest photo of a Sicilian Gent! Click to Join Italian Genealogy on Facebook

By F l a n k e r (optimized by Blackcat – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Liguria, the third smallest of the regioniof Italy, bordering the Ligurian Sea, in the northwestern part of the country. It comprises the provincieof Genoa, Imperia, La Spezia, and Savona. PortovenerePortovenere, La Spezia province, Liguria, Italy.© sds-studio/Shutterstock.com Shaped like a crescent reaching from the mouth of the Roia River to that of the Magra and from the French frontier to Tuscany, Liguria is dominated by the Maritime Alps as far as the Cadibona Pass and by the Ligurian Apennines east of that point. The narrow, picturesquely indented coastal fringe, the Italian Riviera, is customarily divided into a western section, the Ponente Riviera, and an eastern section, the Levante Riviera, the point of division being the apex of the Ligurian arc at Voltri, near Genoa. Most of the population is concentrated within this coastal area. The region, which derived its name from the Ligurians, its pre-Roman inhabitants, came under the domination of Rome in the 1st century bc. After brief Lombard and Frankish rule, the city of Genoa began to emerge as a leading power as early as the 11th century ad. By 1400 the city had gained control of the entire region and become one of the principal maritime and commercial powers of Europe. Despite numerous conflicts with its competitors, especially Venice, Genoa kept its independence until 1796, when it was seized by Napoleon Bonaparte for France. The Congress of Vienna (1815) gave Liguria to the kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Liguria played a leading part in the Risorgimento (movement for Italian independence) and contributed significantly to the union of Italy in 1860. Genoa became the major port of the new unified Italy, rivaling Marseille in France. Because of the shelter from winter winds afforded by the mountains, Liguria is particularly favoured in growing early vegetables, flowers (especially in the western section), olives, and wine grapes, and its mild climate draws an active tourist trade in the numerous coastal resorts. Industries are concentrated in and around Genoa (the regional and provincial capital), around Savona, and along the shores of the Gulf of La Spezia. At Genoa and La Spezia are Italy’s leading shipyards; La Spezia is Italy’s major naval base, and Savona is a major centre of the Italian iron industry. Chemical, textile, and food industries are also important. Area 2,092 square miles (5,418 square km). Pop. (1991) 1,701,788; (2000 est.) 1,625,870. This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen, Corrections Manager. Citation InformationArticle Title:LiguriaWebsite Name:Encyclopaedia BritannicaPublisher:Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.Date Published:02 February 2017URL:https://www.britannica.com/place/LiguriaAccess Date:June 16, 2019 Click here to Join Italian Genealogy on Facebook History Occupied by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, Liguria belonged with Piemonte to the Decima Regio of the Roman Empire, then in the early 4th century AD was united to Emilia. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire it was conquered by the Byzantines who named it Provincia Maritima Italorum and then in the early 7th century by the Lombards, followed one century later by the Franks, who divided it into 3 feudal territories called Arduinica (in the west), Aleramica (in the center) and Obertenga (in the east), then was subsequently further divided into a number of fiefdoms such as Cavi, Lavagna, Savona, Ventimiglia, Nice, Genoa. With the rise in power of the Communes against the feudal lords, very soon Genoa acquired the supremacy in the region, and became a powerful maritime republic, often at wars with other sea-trading centers like Savona and Venice. In the following century there were periods of independence followed by darker periods of foreign occupation, as under the Visconti of Milan. The Republic of Genoa was an important ally of Napoleon, and suffered a blockade by the English fleet in 1805. For this reason it lost its independence in 1825, when the Congress of Vienna annexed the whole of Liguria to the Kingdom of Sardinia, under the Savoy family. The history of the region, always dependent on the sea, saw since mid-1800 a never-ending exodus of hundreds of thousands of Italian emigrants from the port of Genoa to destinations overseas. Liguria https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A4eR7k2SpY