Page:The Voyage Of Italy Or A Compleat Journey through Italy, The Second Part.pdf/130

 Savona (anciently called Sabatia, or Sabatium) is the second Town, or eldest daughter of Genua; and like a good daughter indeed she stands alwayes in her mothers presence, yet keeps her distance: it being within sight of Genua, yet five and twenty miles off. It stands upon the Mediterranean Sea, or, as they call it here, upon the Riviera di Genoa. Its fortified both by Art and Nature, that is, by regular Fortifications towards the Sea, and by lusty Apennin hills towards the Land. Yet whiles Savona feared no danger from either Sea or Land, it was almost ruined in the year 1648 by Fire from heaven, to wit, lightning; which falling upon a great Tower in the midst of the Town, where Gunpowder was kept, blew it up upon a sudden, and with it threw down two hundred houses round about it, and houses of note. For, passing that way six months after, and walking among the ruines, I saw in many of the houses, which were but half fallen down, curious painted Chambers, and fine guilt