Let yourself be enchanted by the light of the sea while walking in Porto Venere under the ancient walls of the church of San Pietro, climb to the castle of Lerici discovering the labyrinth of its carrugi and the endless perspectives of its colorful houses overlooking the gulf. Welcome to the Gulf of Poets, the delightful bay sung and loved by Dante, Petrarch, Byron and Shelley is still a magical place.
viaggitraledita
Liguria is one of the regions of Italy among the most loved by tourists from all over the world and every year thousands of travelers discover the fascinating Gulf of Poets. It is a deep inlet of the Ligurian Sea in front of the city of La Spezia.
These territories of the Ligurian Riviera of the Levant have been over the centuries destination of travel and stay for some of the most famous writers and intellectuals. Let’s find out what is the charm of the Gulf of poets and why it is called so and also what else to see during your stay in these beautiful places of Liguria.
italian-riviera.
Where is the Gulf of Poets?
The Gulf of poets is a stretch of the Ligurian coast of Levante that includes the municipalities of La Spezia, Lerici and Porto Venere. In particular, the area that is called by this name extends from Porto Venere to Lerici.
This is precisely that stretch of coast of the Ligurian Riviera that is not far from the border with Tuscany. These territories are together with the 5 lands one of the most frequented by foreign tourists. The Gulf of poets has artistic and natural beauty to discover.
Here have stayed for many centuries important writers, poets, painters and artists both Italian and foreign who celebrated the beauty and uniqueness. Undoubtedly the most important city of the Gulf of Poets is La Spezia which is one of the most important ports of Liguria.
italiapervoimagazine
Origin of the name of the Gulf of Poets
The name appears for the first time on 30 August 1910 in the funeral prayer dedicated by the playwright Sem Benelli to the doctor Paolo Mantegazza.
Over the centuries, poets, writers and artists have spent time in these small coves and bays among the most evocative of Liguria.
The first was Dante who remembers this territory with his famous description in the Purgatory of the coast between Lerici and Cinque Terre: “Between Lerice and Turbia the most deserted, /la più rotta ruina è una scala,/ verso di quella, facile e aperto”
It was then Francesco Petrarca to describe the landing in Porto Venere and the nature that surrounds it. Later, many foreign intellectuals loved these places such as the writer George Sand and the poets Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley.
These wonderful landscapes were also a source of inspiration for many painters of the nineteenth century as Telemaco Signorini.
storiediliguria
What to see in the Gulf of Poets
The Gulf of Poets offers its visitors unforgettable landscapes and villages.
One of the most interesting places of this area is without any doubt Porto Venere which is the most famous village of the Gulf of poets. It is a UNESCO site and is perched on a picturesque promontory.
Among the things to see there is the church of San Pietro that was built overlooking the sea. According to legend, the goddess Venus was born here. Opposite Porto Venere is the island of Palmaria famous for its caves and the wild nature that inhabits its wall overlooking the sea.
lanostra
One of the most ancient and fascinating villages of these territories of the Ligurian coast is Lerici. Its historic center is characterized by the presence of colorful houses. In addition, you should also visit the castle and the Tower of San Rocco overlooking the historic center. Among the most fascinating buildings of the village there is La Ca’ Doria where Andrea Doria lived.
The Gulf of poets is characterized by the presence of natural places both on the coast and in the hinterland not to be missed. For example, trekking in the Montemarcello Park allows you to reach the beautiful villages of Tellaro and Fiascherino. In addition, the Parco delle 5 Terre and its paths are within walking distance.
siviaggia
The Ligurian landscape finds its best complement in the cuisine of the territory, simple and exquisite. Whether panigacci, testaroli, trenette or trofie al pesto, or even the traditional soup mesciüa, pansotti or corzetti are the most popular first, anchovies and stockfish are the worthy continuation of a seafood meal only apparently poor and certainly delicious.
Copertina: travel.thewom
