| The
Ligurian coastal region between Cinque Terre and Portovenere
is a cultural landscape of high scenic and cultural value.
The form and disposition of the small towns and the shaping
of the landscape surrounding them, overcoming the disadvantages
of a steep and broken terrain, graphically encapsulate the
continuous history of human settlement in this region over
the past millennium.
We headed down the Ligurian coast, past the Cinque Terre
(Five Lands), to Portovenere and entered its sheltered harbor.
A delightful surprise! This is a charming town, with very
tall houses along the Calata Doria, or the quay. The houses,
up to six or eight stories high, were built in the Middle
Ages as defense towers directly above the harbor. When under
attack, villagers could exit the rear of the upper stories
for the safety of the castle above.
This characteristic medieval village is situated at the
far west of the gulf. With its coloured, narrow high houses,
the genoese Castle, the St. Pietro Church on the steep cliff,
it unites an illustrious history with charm.
The village of Portovenere occupies the
suggestive promontory of Cape San Pietro, originated from
the Mount Muzzerone, and closes westwards the big Gulf of
La Spezia.
The coast stretches very jagged creating
various well defended creek, like the bay of Portovenere
itself, and the inlets of Varignano and of the Graces. In
front of Cape San Pietro there are Palmaria island and the
islands of Tino and Tinetto, originally linked to the mainland.
They present a sharper slope with falesias leaning on the
sea, while on the opposite side the land is covered with
thick vegetation.
Portovenere
is one the most romantic spots on the Italian Riviera, an
ancient small harbor of nostalgic beauty between Cinque
Terre ad the Gulf of Poets. The multicolored tower houses,
that in the ancient times were built as defense against
the pirates, overlook the picturesque harbor. The ancient
marble arch with the effigy of the "White Madonna"
the patron of the village, that is celebrated on the 17
of august with a suggestive night-time cerimony by the light
of hundreds of oil- lights laid on the water and all around
Portovenere, The tiny square and its fountain, the beautiful
ancient church of St. Peter on the white and black rocks
of the point from where the poet Byron used to swim, the
church of S. Lorenzo with its precious works of art and
the massive 16 century castle, are some of the beauties
to admire. The mild climate makes Portovenere a preferred
destination in every season.
The history of the typical medieval village
of Portovenere dates back to the ancient Roman times. Do
not miss S. Peters Church overlooking the sea, the Castle,
S. Lawrence, the Carrugio walk or a stroll along the promenade
where you can admire the sailors' colourful little houses.
Don't forget to take the three islands'
tour (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto): you will discover some
unforgettable bays!!
Museums in PORTOVENERE:
ANTIQUARIUM DELLA VILLA ROMANA DEL
VARIGNANO
MUSEO E TESORO DELLA CHIESA
DI SAN LORENZO
Panoramica
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