For long periods of time
Liguria was under Byzantine rule until the Lombards took control of the region around 641 AD.
Then it was the turn of the Franks to dominate
Liguria. During this period the population suffered several attacks from the Saracens and also from the Normans who forced the people out to the coastal areas.
In the Middle Ages when districts were established,
Genoa quickly became the most important in
Liguria and soon progressed to become the dominant and most important force in
Liguria's further historic development.
For many years
Genoa was a power to be reckoned with. Along with the republics of
Amalfi,
Pisa and
Venice,
Genoa fought for power and control in the Mediterranean.
Later on
Liguria and
Genoa came under the Savoy Kingdom and for a short period prior to Italian unification
Liguria was part of the kingdom of
Sardinia.
