Portovenere

Portovenere is considered the romantic fishing village on the Lingurian coast. It is more popularly known as Golfo dei poeti, the Poet’s Gulf. It is believed to have impressed many famous poets like Byron and Shelly.

It was a maritime centre and has faced many conflicts since ages. The longest was the war between Genoa and Pisa (1119-1290). It is also called a walled city.

The medieval castle was built between 1113 and 1161 to protect the village. It has been an important military base both under the Roman and the Byzantine dominations. The castle has a church of St. Pietro, a gothic church of 13th century. During the first years of Christianity, the site was changed to a Christian church. In 1256, the Genoese built the church of S. Pietro over the original Christian temple.

Behind that castle is Byron's Grotto, a swimming hole, which Lord Byron swam from his home to the island of Elba.

Basilica of St.Lawrence – St.Lawrence was burnt alive on gridiron for not turning up over the treasures of the church. The structure is built with wood with the statue of the saint.

Church of S. Lorenzo – The church was built in 1116 in Romanesque style. It was destroyed by fire in 1340 and reconstructed in gothic style. . In 1494 the Aragonese damaged the church and during the XVI century it was restored in baroque style. The imposing wooden ceiling, the precious font, Saint Lorenz’s treasure tronk, the painting representing the Madonna Bianca are remarkable. The four ivory caskets (about 1100) and the refined satin hangings (about the end of the XVII century) painted with grass juice and representing shells and gulls, are remarkable too.