Indeed, in the middle of the 19th century, our city reaches the top of its maritime economy. Camogliese ships and crews join the events which had been lead to the Unity of Italy on 1860. Simone Schiaffino, the ensign of the " Mille", the Garibaldi's army, was a brave camogliese ship captain. Again, on the middle of 1800, the first camogliese maritime insurance was founded: it covered the damages originated by the perilous sailings of those times. Just in that period, Camogli is named "the City of the Thousands Sailships". The most famous ships were the bricks and barks and the camogliese crews were very brave to handle them.

The camogliese bark Laura

At the beginning of the 20th century, along with the mechanic propulsion, the "family management" of the sailships started to decline: it was extremely expensive to keep the maintenance all around the world of an "iron ship".
As a remain of the extraordinary maritime tradition of Camogli, we have today the high professional value of its seamen, specially on board the most modern cruise and cargo ships where the highest level of technology can be found.
To admire the maritime tradition of Camogli, please visit the Maritime Museo "G.B.Ferrari", located in the stairways in front of the railway station. In the museum, you will find rare parts of ships and seamen's belongings wich are donations of the camogliese families of 1800 and 1900.

The House of Seamen

Other interesting places are:
- the historical downtown , specially the alleys, where in the past, the rich shipowners meet each other to close their contracts;
- the Nautical School , one of the most famous schools of Italy: still today, many experienced ship Captains and Engineers are graduated from there;
- la House of the Retired Seamen , the only one of its kind, where seamen who reach their retirement age can live their deserved rest;
- la Society of Ship Captains and Naval Engineers , which is the valid tool to preserve the tradition of the merchant marine officers. The Society arrange various activities so as to promote the acknoledgement of the tradition and preparedness of our seamen.

CLC Bruno Malatesta - V.President - Society of Ship Captains and Naval Engineers - Camogli