10 Facts about the Salt Road

PRICEY PAVIA

In Pavia, at the end of the Salt Road, a kilo of salt once sold for the equivalent of £19,000 in today’s money.

ROMAN WAGES

The word ‘salary’ come from the Latin name for salt, as Roman soldiers were paid in the stuff.

HANNIBAL LECTURE

Hannibal and his elephants used this route in 218BC as he battled the Roman Empire.

EINSTEIN’S VISIT

A 16-year-old Albert Einstein walked here in 1895, sleeping outside and studying the stars.

OL’ BLUE EYES’ MUM

Frank Sinatra’s mother was born in 1896 in Lumarzo, nine miles east of Genoa

COLUMBUS’ BIRTH

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa in 1451.

POLO’S TRAVELS

Marco Polo wrote an account of his travels to China when he was imprisoned in Genoa in 1298.

AQUARIUM

Genoa has the largest aquarium in Europe.

BEST BASIL

The finest basil grows in Genoa – on the bones of Napoleon’s horses.

PERFECT PESTO

Pesto is the famous Ligurian sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, salt, cheese and olive oil.