In Varazze the art of shipbuilding goes back centuries. In the early days, it was the large sailing ships that crossed the oceans transporting goods; now the shipyards are dedicated to the production of much smaller boats for sporting use.
The cathedral of Sant’Ambrogio, which dates back to 1535, is situated at the heart of the old town in a beautifully laid pebble square.
Varazze has two famous sons. Lanzarotto Malocello, who was born here in the 14th century and later discovered the Canary island of Lanzarote, and Jacopo da Varagine (1230-1298), who later became archbishop of Genoa and published his 'Legenda aurea' (holy legends) under the name of Jacobus de Voragine. His silver burial urn is still kept in the church of San Domenico on the outskirts of the town.
