On the way home from my recent visit to Lerici I stopped at the nearby town of Tellaro.
The town centre is limited zone, which means no driving in, so I found a park above the centre and walked down.
The main piazza was almost empty when I arrived. COVID 19 has severely affected tourism this summer in Italy. This little square should be bustling at this time of the year.
After a coffee at the cafe I walked down this narrow street on my way to the water’s edge.
I went through an arched portal into what looked like the entrance to a castle or fort.
But it was another narrow street.
Through another arched entrance the path became even more narrow.
…until I came to the water’s edge.
The tiny harbour is gorgeous and the water looked clear and welcoming on a hot day.
On the edge of the water is a tunnel, the Soto-ria gallery, with an 18th century wrought iron gate. The tunnel is 70 metres long and 2.20 metres wide. It is what remains of the covered curtain built in the 14th century by the residents as part of the defence system against the Saracen invasions.
The Piazza della Marina, together with the small piazza beside it has always had an important role in the Tellaro community. It is where all the local feasts and meetings are held and where the residents keep their boats. The Festival of Saint George was held here as well as the Festival of St Anthony when people brought their animals, sheep, donkeys, mules, pigs and poultry to be blessed.
There are great views across the water to the towns an villages clinging to the rocky edge of the sea in the Gulf of La Spezia.
This little cactus garden appealed to me on my walk up the hill to the top of the town.
Then another walk past pretty gardens to get to my car.
Tellaro is a lovely village, worthy of a return visit.
It would be fun to see the Sagra del Polpo, Festival of the Octopus. It celebrates a giant octopus who apparently saved the town from a Saracen pirate attack in the Middle Ages. The pirate Gallo d’Arenzano chose a night of a storm to attack the town. The guard in the tower was asleep, but the giant octopus climbed up the church tower and rang the bell, alerting the sleeping residents.
The festival, where you can eat octopus cooked in all manner of ways, usually takes place on the second Sunday of August. That seems an odd way to celebrate octopus. Maybe they should free captured octopus and send them back to the sea, but I’m sure it is a fun event. It was cancelled this year, another casualty of this wretched virus that is ruining so many things.
What a delightful picturesque village – yes does look as it deserves a return visit. Love the colour of those hydrangeas. Yes questionable celebrating the octopus by having a festival and eating them – (delicious grilled)
By: Dianne Cant on August 16, 2020
at 6:39 am
Tellaro is a lovely little town. I will return and spend some more time there…and maybe have some grilled octopus.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 16, 2020
at 2:18 pm
So good to see the bright blue skies …
Hope life is getting back to normality in your place.
Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
By: Sreejith Nair on August 16, 2020
at 7:50 am
The blue skies are glorious. This is my first summer here in Italy. Everyone tells me that the tourist numbers are way down on normal. It does make for pleasant visits, but I feel bad for the people whose businesses are suffering badly.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 16, 2020
at 2:19 pm
Yes, you are right, the tourism industry is non existent now…
As someone who works in this industry and who leads a team, I am feeling the heat of this Pandemic 🙁
Hope, once the situation becomes normal, more people will prefer community based sustainable tourism programmes 🙂
Have a beautiful summer in Italy, your second home, right?
By: Sreejith Nair on September 1, 2020
at 3:24 pm
This is an awful time for many people. I hope things improve for you soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on September 2, 2020
at 5:29 am
Another great find. Such a lovely looking village. I really do feel so sorry for all the shops and restaurants that are so affected by this nasty virus.
By: Kerry & Jim on August 16, 2020
at 8:08 am
The season has been awful for anyone depending on tourism. I hope they can get past this.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 16, 2020
at 2:20 pm
မပယ်ဖၾက်ပါမသိနားမလည်လို႔လုပ်မိခြင်းအတွက်ေတာင်းပန်ပါတယ်။နားလည်ခွင်လွတ်ပြီးကူညီေပးပါ
On Sun, Aug 16, 2020, 12:59 Bagni di Lucca and Beyond wrote:
> Debra Kolkka posted: “On the way home from my recent visit to Lerici I > stopped at the nearby town of Tellaro. The town centre is limited zone, > which means no driving in, so I found a park above the centre and walked > down. The main piazza was almost empt” >
By: myatmyatswe on August 16, 2020
at 8:49 am
So empty. Not many people around. Stay safe. Soon be back to your own abode.
By: Isobel Stuart on August 16, 2020
at 9:46 am
There were very few people wandering about. I was there mid week. I believe the weekends are a bit busier.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 16, 2020
at 2:22 pm
The beauty is endless, everyone upholding the richness in colour, design etc. You captured, in this relatively short post, the charm and allure of still another hidden gem. I admire your sense of adventure, your great photos as usual despite the overwhelming pall of the pandemic and your commitment to ensure we get to enjoy it as well. I loved it, the narrow streets, the cacti photo, the sea, everything gleaming. As much as I did your recent Casa Debbie post; almost can smell the lavender. GRAZIE!
By: Catherine Rowley on August 16, 2020
at 12:17 pm
Once the weather cools down a bit I will venture out a bit more. At the moment I am reluctant to leave the house between 11.00am and 6.00pm…just too hot!
By: Debra Kolkka on August 16, 2020
at 2:23 pm
What a delightful place!
By: Sue on August 16, 2020
at 2:22 pm
It is a delightful little village.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 17, 2020
at 11:37 am
This was a delightful journey with you — especially the wonderful story about the giant octopus! Invites reflection on how we pay our respects to those who care for us? Catherin
By: Catherin on August 16, 2020
at 10:50 pm
Yes indeed, poor octopus!
By: Debra Kolkka on August 17, 2020
at 11:37 am
Loved your walk through Tellaro. The walkways are so narrow but interesting & the views wonderful. At least during this horrible time you have been able to go exploring new places. But yes it must be hard for the businesses who depend on tourists.David agrees with you it may be better to free the octopus.
By: Camillus Davall on August 17, 2020
at 3:58 am
It seems a bit mean to eat them when one saved the village.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 17, 2020
at 11:38 am
Debra, each single post of yours , your discoveries of little towns in Italy has become my little vacation moments. And I thank you for that.
By: www.corneliaweber-photography.com on August 17, 2020
at 4:28 am
I love exploring new places. When the weather cools a bit I will get out more.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 17, 2020
at 11:39 am
and you love to share.
By: www.corneliaweber-photography.com on August 18, 2020
at 1:52 am
I love the idea of the festival of the octopus!! It could be quite quirky I’d imagine!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on August 21, 2020
at 12:55 am
Hello,
My husband and I are thinking about purchasing a small property in Bagni di Lucca next year which will be our permanent home when my husband retires in 3 years. Do you have any suggestions or any advice please? Thank you… by the way we are from USA
By: May on August 27, 2020
at 5:07 pm
I will send you an email
By: Debra Kolkka on August 27, 2020
at 6:05 pm