The main attractions of Rapallo are located in the center of the resort town, starting from the elegant waterfront of Vittorio Veneto, where the 16th-century sea fortress Castello sul Mare stands, and ending with the territory of the ancient Roman settlement.
A map of Rapallo with landmarks will guide tourists to the fortress perched on the cliff, washed by the sea, as well as to the Trinity Chapel, Valle Christi Monastery, San Michele Church, and local museums.
The castle was built here in 1551 to protect the local population from the raids of pirates who two years earlier had devastated the town and kidnapped and abducted women and children. The description of the sights indicates that the castle has undergone a number of changes over the years. In the 17th century, it was used as the seat of the town mayor, then as a prison and headquarters for the Guardia di Finanza. In 1959 it was converted into an exhibition centre. It is now home to themed exhibitions.
The Map of Rapallo with its sights will also lead tourists to the former convent of Clarissa, built in 1689, which was erected after the closure of the Convent of Valle Christi at the end of the 16th century. The last nuns left the walls of the convent in 1902. It then served as a primary school and later as a storehouse for boats.
After reconstruction in the 1960s, the former church building was turned into a 265-seat theatre, while the monastery was left untouched as it provided great artistic value. In 2000 the Gaffoglio couple transferred the convent to the town of Rapallo. Today part of the monastery is used as the Gaffoglio Museum.
Also preserved in the old town is the Chapel of the Trinity or Fellowship of the "Bianchi", which is located near the old church of Santo Stefano and the town hall. The chapel was built in the middle of the fifteenth century. The premises of the chapel are decorated with valuable sculptures: the 15th-century Madonna and Child of the school of Pisa, the statue of San Sebastiano and the small statues of Christ dating from 1779.
