History and culture: Slate, From the sea

The sea, a vital artery for the black stone trade

The narrow and winding roads, built to overcome the asperities of an impervious Liguria, soon proved to be unsuitable and unsafe for the transport of delicate and heavy materials such as slate. When the Roman Empire collapsed, the famous Via Aurelia and other carriage roads became almost impassable. In the medieval and modern centuries, with land communication routes often impracticable and unsafe, the sea became a vital artery for the transport of this precious stone, until the end of the 19th century.

From Lavagna towards distant lands

The old slate industry, especially that of Monte San Giacomo, depended on shipping for medium and long-range distribution. Ligurian slate, therefore, found its diffusion mainly along the coast, with few incursions into the hinterland. The nearby Apennines were an insurmountable obstacle, but by sea, from Lavagna, the stone could reach distant lands.

The ‘leudi’, the typical boats for the slate trade

Despite not having a commercial port, Lavagna adapted to the situation with the use of ‘leudi’: small, light, shallow-draft boats, perfect for being beached in the event of a storm. These hulls, however, had limited loading capacity, often forcing transshipments at intermediate ports such as Camogli. The true heart of the trade was the port of Genoa, where the slates were stored before being resold by wholesalers.

The slate routes

Each vessel intended for the transport of slate made around thirty trips a year. The main destinations were Genoa, Savona, Sanremo, La Spezia, Carrara, from where bricks, marble and organic waste used as fertilizer were imported. Lavagna also welcomed numerous ships from different locations, ready to load slate.

Commercial exchanges linked to the black stone

It wasn’t just direct transport that made the slate trade successful. Traders from Lavagna often exchanged stone for foodstuffs in cities such as Livorno, Civitavecchia and Nizza. From Genoa, the center of long-distance trade, slates spread to Naples, Trieste, Corsica, France, Portugal, Tunis, Algiers, Constantinople, Odessa and even America.

Story of a people who transformed fatigue into opportunities for connection

Through these travels and exchanges, Ligurian slate not only overcame geographical barriers, but became part of an international trade network, bringing with it a piece of Liguria to every corner of the world. Each slab, transported with effort and determination, told the story of a land and a people who had been able to transform the challenges of their territory into an opportunity for prosperity and global connection.

Sources

Beniscelli G., “Ardesia: pietra di Liguria”, Genova, SIAG, 1972

Porcella M., “Gli uomini dell’ardesia”, in Centro di Documentazione della Civica Biblioteca di San Colombiano Certenoli (a c. di), “L’ardesia della Fontanabuona e le sculture di Pietro Burzi”, Chiavari, Grafica Piemme, 2017, collana “Quaderni del Lascito Cuneo”

Savioli L., “Tradizione e storia della lavagna”, in Mannoni T. (a c. di), “Ardesia. Materia, Cultura, Futuro”, Genova, Sagep Editrice, 1995

Home / Heritage / History and culture / Slate

Percorsi trekking e bici che potrebbero interessarti

Itinerari di diversa durata e adatti a ogni gusto e livello di preparazione, alla scoperta dei luoghi e dei panorami più belli e suggestivi del Tigullio ligure.

Local experiences that might interest you

Let yourself be guided and be surprised by the hidden treasures that the Ligurian Tigullio area is capable of offering you in every season.

Altri beni che potrebbero interessarti

Catalogo del patrimonio materiale e immateriale, preziosa risorsa del Tigullio per fare comunità e per lo sviluppo locale.

Partecipa!

Preserva la storia e le tradizioni del territorio del Tigullio ligure e tienile vive per le generazioni future.