Portovenere Liguria

Portovenere, like Botticelli’s Venus, emerges from the waves of the Gulf of La Spezia and – on August 17th – lights up with the magic of the torches lit on the procession f the Madonna Bianca. Once a medieval castrum, Portus Veneris is a place of rare beauty – whence the ties with the ancient goddess of beauty, to whose cult a temple was erected on the site where nowadays travelers admire the profile of the church of San Pietro, rivaling in height with the brave Doria castle.
The imposing parish church – its black and white façade an emblem of Ligurian religious architecture – and its lean bell tower dominate the hamlet of Le Grazie – graces and goddesses did endow Portovenere with a superb location you are strongly recommended to enjoy from the sea, the marina and the alleys of the delightful historical centre. Fascination takes also the form of local gourmet pleasures: oysters, octopus (have a soppressata tasting), buridda, matafama (from Spanish matar – kill hunger) and erbetti, the mouthwatering secret of tortelli and ripieni.
Last but not least, 3 tiny isles dot the sea of Portovenere: the Palmària, the Tino and the Tinetto (featuring in the UNESCO Heritage List), the best destination for nature fans who wish to discover a treasure trove of flora and fauna (apart from the Palmaria, visits of the Tino isle can be arranged via the ente parco on September 13th)..