Periplo Manara

The morning of the Periplo Manara in Sestri Levante carries a specific rhythm: the harbor awakens to the sound of local swimming enthusiasts from Aquamanara 1968, who have been cultivating this coastal event for years. Swimmers gather along the waterfront, often sharing the anticipation that locals have felt since the town was first noted by Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy, where he referred to the settlement as 'Siestri'. This 4000m route is not merely a race; it is a long-standing tradition that draws participants who return annually to navigate the rugged, protected coastline between Sestri and Riva Trigoso.

Navigating history and nature

As you push off, you are essentially tracing a maritime boundary that has seen centuries of conflict. In 1070, these very waters were the site of intense naval clashes between the Republic of Genoa and the Pisan fleet, a rivalry that flared again in 1170. While the sea is calm today, the promontory of Punta Manara remains a silent witness to history. As you swim along its base, look up toward the summit, known as Monte Castello; the vegetation often clears enough to reveal remnants of a World War II military fortress, a stark contrast to the lush Mediterranean maquis of myrtle and strawberry trees that cover the slope. The entire promontory has been under strict environmental protection since 1977, ensuring the seabed remains as preserved as the history on the heights. The peninsula itself, once an island until medieval alluvial deposits connected it to the mainland, provides a unique geographic pivot point for the start of your journey. Those seeking shorter distances or alternative challenges often explore the nearby Cavi Sestri Open Water Swimming in late May, while the summer calendar also features the Bay Night Swimming Sestri Levante 2026 for a different perspective on these waters.

Race day and coastal landmarks

During the 4000m traverse, you will pass the iconic watchtower standing 140 meters above, a structure once vital for spotting Saracen pirate raids like those of 1542 and 1607. Further along the coastline, the medieval church of San Nicolo dell'Isola, built in 1151, watches over the swimmers, its bell tower and ancient tombstones embedded in the walls visible from the water. As you approach the finish in Riva Trigoso, look for the distinctive Assêu rock, a prominent coastal marker topped with a cross that signals the final stretch of the periplo. It is in this same bay that the maritime world once watched the tragic launch of the SS Principessa Jolanda in 1907, the largest Italian passenger ship of her time, which capsized within an hour of hitting the water. Today, the conditions are far more welcoming, and the event remains focused on the endurance of the 4km crossing along one of the most protected stretches of the Ligurian coast.