PORTOVENERE, Portovenere

Hi, my name’s Rick, and I’m your personal guide. Along with MyWoWo, I’d like to welcome you to one of the Wonders of the World: Portovenere, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

This splendid little town, founded by the Ligures in the 6th century BC, took on the name of Portus Veneris during the Roman Age, because there was a temple on the promontory dedicated to Venus, the goddess of beauty who was born of sea foam.  

Enter the town from Piazza Bastieri, near the medieval walls and the watchtower, and walk along the carruggio flanked by very narrow tower houses. This charming walk will take you to the tip of the headland, where you can admire the magnificent little church of San Pietro, built in 1198. The black and white striped Genoese Gothic interior was built between 1256 and 1277, and you’ll notice the differences between the original structure and the later work. The church also has a curious little balcony from which you can admire Palmaria Island, directly opposite.

On the outside, the Gothic-style loggia offers magnificent views. Visible from here is the castle that belonged to the Doria family, who governed Genoa and once owned Portovenere....