Nicoloso da Recco

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Nicoloso da Recco was a 14th-century Italian navigator from Genoa. In 1341 he sailed to the Canary Islands on behalf of Afonso IV of Portugal. He is credited with providing the first reliable account of the language spoken by the Guanches, the islands’ native people. Little is known about his origins. The voyage is mentioned by Giovanni Boccaccio, who also notes the Florentine Angiolino del Tegghia de' Corbizzi as a companion. His name has been used for ships, an Alitalia aircraft, a high school in Recco, and several streets and squares in Italian towns.