Portovenere
Welcome to Porto Venere, the smallest municipality in the province of La Spezia!
Hello everyone! Today I want to talk to you about a little gem of Liguria, the Municipality of Porto Venere. With its 3,270 inhabitants and small territorial extension, it is the smallest municipality in the province of La Spezia. But don't be fooled by its size, this place is a true paradise!
Its beauty has been recognized by UNESCO
Although the municipality is internationally known as Portovenere, for official acts and documents the detached form of the toponym, Porto Venere, is used. In 1997, together with the Palmaria, Isola del Tino, Tinetto islands, and the Cinque Terre, it was included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for the beauty and integrity of its natural and cultural landscape.
The physical geography of Porto Venere
The town is located at the end of a peninsula that detaches from the coast of the Riviera di Levante. Three small islands, Palmaria, Isola del Tino, and Tinetto, are located at the end of the peninsula. Only Palmaria, right in front of the village of Porto Venere, is partly inhabited. The beaches of the area are known for their crystal clear water and strong current of the Ligurian Sea. The Regional Natural Park of Porto Venere, which includes the old town of the village, the cliff, and the islands of the archipelago, is a wonder to visit.
The Mediterranean climate of Porto Venere
The climate of the town is typical Mediterranean, with mild temperatures even in winter. Precipitation can be very abundant in autumn and spring, due to the orography of the Riviera di Levante. Summer temperatures are cooled down by the sea breeze. The only peculiarity are the "termiche", i.e. winds that blow influenced by climatic conditions. At night and in the morning the land breeze blows, while in the late morning the "Maestralino" from northwest rises, entering through the Bocche di Portovenere.
The Porto Venere-Palmaria Island district
The district, which also includes Palmaria Island, is the only shelter point in the Ligurian Sea between the Island of Elba and the Hyères Islands in France. The visit to Palmaria Island is unforgettable, it will amaze you with its wild beauty. But even the village of Porto Venere is worth a visit, with its narrow streets that wind between the colorful houses, the Romanesque church of San Pietro, and the Doria Castle that dominates the bay.
Conclusions
I hope you enjoyed this brief portrait of Porto Venere. If you find yourself in Liguria, don't hesitate to visit it. The place is truly enchanting and encapsulates the beauty of one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Italy.
