One of our favourite places to go for the day is Portovenere. We had some friends with us recently and they had not been there……we needed no other excuse to go back.
Portovenere is a 2 hour drive from Bagni di Lucca on the Ligurian coast at the western tip of the Gulf of La Spezia. I doubt that you would find a more beautiful town anywhere.
There is a car park beside the sea near the centre of town. Perhaps in summer you would need to park further up the hill and walk down.
The pretty houses lining the tiny harbour are the first things you see when you arrive in town.
Portovenere is not a large town. There is is promenade along the sea and a couple of streets winding up the hill towards the churches and the castle at the top of the hill. Come for a walk….
Look at the date over the entrance to the upper street.
A very old wall.
A pasta curtain.
With tie back.
Stocking up on pesto.
Somewhere to stay.
The church on the point is actually 2 churches, one old, one new. The new one was begun in 1256.
The rocky coastline is stunning.
We walked up the hill towards the castle and passed St Lawrence’s church on the way.
It was consecrated by Pope Innocenzo II in 1130. The sculpture over the door depicts St Lawrence’s martyrdom.
The views from above the church are gorgeous.
Lucky bird!
I’ll show you where we had lunch in another post.