Figure 1.--Surely Italy as a narrow peninsula must have more resorts than any other country, at least in porortion to population. We know that there were seaside vacation resorts even in ancient Rome, such as Pompei and Capri. We do see some beach scenes in the early 20th century. There appear to have been quite a number of popular beach resorts. One such resort was Rimini, today one of the best-known seaside resort on the eastern cost of Italy. I'm not sure what the buildings in the background are.

Surely Italy as a narrow peninsula must have more resorts than any other country, at least in proportion to population. We know that there were seaside vacation resorts even in ancient Rome, such as Pompei and Capri. Although I am not sure just what such communities were. I think it was more the wealthy building villas there rather than the common people vacationing. I am also not sure to what extent swimming and beach activities were involved. We know the Romans loved bathing, but we do not know know to what extent swimming was involved. We do not know when beach resorts began to appear in modern Italy. We do see some beach scenes in the early 20th century. There appear to have been quite a number of popular beach resorts. The best known or in the north along the Italian Riviera. One such resort was Rimini, today one of the best-known seaside resort on the eastern cost of Italy. We also notice resorts near Genoa. We know less about Adriatic resorts.

Ancient Rome

The Italian geography meant that many people had contact with the sea from the earliest times. We know that there were seaside vacation resorts even in ancient Rome, such as Pompei and Capri. Although I am not sure just what such communities were. I think it was more the wealthy building villas there rather than the common people vacationing. I am also not sure to what extent swimming and beach activities were involved. We know the Romans loved bathing, but we do not know know to what extent swimming was involved.

Early Resorts

There are some early accounts of sea bathing and seaside resorts in Italy. There are a number of early accounts. For example there is a manuscript written by Jean-Jacques Bouchard, a Parisian that visited Naples in 1632. The manuscript was published in 19th century by L. Marcheix. Bouchard describes the seaside of Chiaia a little costal village near Naples, today included in the town. "He (Bouchard wrote using 3rd person) went on the seaside and looked at little boys of Chiaia swimming and wading in the sea during the hottest time in the day, than browning on the sand. He flung some coins in the water and all the boys dived in the sea with the head foreward as the frogs to take the money. Often they took the coins with the teeth in the sand. These children go all the summer naked, not only on the beach but also on the streets and in the houses". (L. MARCHEIX, Un Parisien à Rome et a Naples en 1632 d'après un manuscrit inédit de J.-J. Bouchard, Paris, page 120). In the 19th century sea baths were diffused as in the rest of Europe. Some affluent families had their houses near the sea. Seaside resorts were organized in Venice lagoon (1820s'), in Viareggio on the western coast (near Florence) in 1823, in Rimini on the eastern coast (riviera adriatica) in 1843 and in other places. These early resorts were very simple: some wooden wharfs and little locker rooms. The early photos show the women always fully clothed, but boys wear different garments: someone a swimsuit that cover also the top, other only the bottom, other their everyday clothing, other only pants, someone no clothing at all. In southern Italy seaside resorts started later. However coast people bathed in the sea. For example there are picture showing poor children in Naples. In this case girls wear a light dress, boys are commonly naked.

Modern Resorts

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Created: 4:29 AM 11/4/2005
Last updated: 4:11 PM 10/6/2009