Chiavari

• Name — Chiavari • Official Name — Comune di Chiavari • Metropolitan City — Genoa (GE) • Frazioni — Campodonico, Sanguineto, Sant'Andrea di Rovereto, Caperana, Maxena, Ri, San Pier di Canne • Mayor — Federico Messuti • Area Total Km2 — 12.23 • Population Total — 27442 • Population As Of — 2025 • Population Demonym — Chiavaresi • Elevation M — 5 • Postal Code — 16043 • Area Code — 0185

• Illustration — Chiavari Castle

A pre-Roman necropolis, which dates from the 8th to 7th century BC, has been uncovered in the area where Chiavari is located now. Chiavari grew up on the traces of a Roman camp on the Via Aurelia.

A castle was constructed in 1147. The old town contains numerous arcades and buildings from the 13th century, including a castle, several mansions, and the nearby Church of San Salvatore di Lavagna, which was founded in 1224 by Innocent IV. The cathedral was rebuilt in 1613. Famous as a center of humanism, Chiavari has a public library with a collection of manuscripts and incunabula. After the discovery of the conspiracy of the Fieschi, in 1542, and the capture of Chiavari by the Counts of Lavagna, the town suffered greatly, being associated with the conspirators. Among its illustrious citizens were Luca Cantiano di Moneglia, founder of an art academy, and Giuseppe Gregorio Solari, translator of many Latin poets.

From 1805 to 1814, Chiavari served as the capital of the short-lived Apennins Departments of France of the First French Empire. Chiavari is the home of the Chiavari chair designed in 1807 by a local, Giuseppe Gaetano Descalzi. The chair was a success and led to the opening of many factories in Chiavari and surrounding towns. Chiavari railway station was opened in 1868; it provides an underground passageway between the town centre and the beachside promenades.

The Colonia Fara building was built in 1935 during the Fascist regime.

As of 2025, Chiavari has a population of 27,442, of whom 46.4% are male and 53.6% are female. Minors make up 13.3% of the population, and seniors make up 30.3%, compared to the Italian average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.

As of 2024, the foreign-born population is 3,733, equal to 13.6% of the population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities are Albanians (768), Ecuadorians (351), Peruvians (322), Ukrainians (266) and Moroccans (200). Foreign population by country of birth (2024) • Country of birth — Population • Albania — 768 • Ecuador — 351 • Peru — 322 • Ukraine — 266 • Morocco — 200 • Moldova — 180 • Romania — 165 • Argentina — 141 • Chile — 117 • China — 117 • Brazil — 90 • France — 64 • United Kingdom — 60 • Russia — 56 • Germany — 51

In 2014, the local football team Virtus Entella were promoted to the Italian Serie B for the first time in their history. In 2018 they were relegated back to the third tier but they came back again the following year. After another relegation in 2021, they returned to the second division in 2025.

• Esteban Campodónico • Nelson le Follet