!!!Porto Venere[{GoogleMap location='Porto Venere, Italy'}]

by Stas Sedov and Sergey Shandin,
members of the [AirPano Team|Geography/About/Consortium/AirPano,_Team] that is a member of the [global-geography Consortium|Geography/About/Consortium]. \\

4 March 2016

with kind permission of [AirPano|http://www.AirPano.com]

There are so many stunning picturesque places in the world, but still,
nothing can compare to Italy. The AirPano team has already created more
than one hundred panoramas dedicated to this country: both world-known
monuments and small cosy villages with their own charm. You can get
acquainted with the beauties of the Ligurian coast through the panoramas
showing the sights of the Cinque Terre National Park. This Park,
together with Portovenere comune, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 1997.

[{Image src='01_Porto Venere, Italy.jpg' caption='Porto Venere, Italy' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='538'}]

Portovenere lies at the southern end of a peninsula, which forms the
western tip of the Gulf of La Spezia, also known as the Gulf of Poets.
The commune of Portovenere (municipal unit) comprises three villages
(Fezzano, Le Grazie and Portovenere), and three islands (Palmaria, Tino
and Tinetto). Having been founded in the 1st century BC, the village was
given the name (which can also be spelled as Porto Venere) in honour of
the temple dedicated to Venus, which once had been standing there. In
the 5th century this temple was replaced by the Roman church of Peter
the Apostle. Later, in the 12th century, the church was slightly rebuilt
and became a perfect example of the Italian Gothic with its traditional
mixture of dark and light materials. There had also been the ancient
temple dedicated to Jupiter, in 1098 it was replaced by the church of
St. Lawrence created in the Romanesque style. Both these buildings are
the main sights of Portovenere now.

[{Image src='02_Porto Venere, Italy.jpg' caption='Porto Venere, Italy' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='466'}]

One more reminder of the history between the 12th and the 16th century
is the Castle of the Doria family — one of the most influential families
of that time. Surrounded by ancient trees and a chain of rocks, this
castle was not just the estate of this aristocratic family, but also
served as a fortification.

[{Image src='03_Porto Venere, Italy.jpg' caption='Porto Venere, Italy' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='538'}]

The village of Le Grazie has preserved its medieval historical centre
with some major monuments: the Olivetans medieval convent and the Church
of Our Lady of the Graces dated the 14th century. The ruins of the Roman
villa dated the 1st century BC can also be seen here. As for Fezzano,
the most interesting buildings of this village are the church of St.
John the Baptist, dated 1740, and the newly restored Villa Cattaneo.

[{Image src='04_Porto Venere, Italy.jpg' caption='Porto Venere, Italy' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='559'}]

Portovenere can also be proud of its natural places: the cavity of the
Doves, the semi-submerged cave of Grotta Azzurra, the submarine ridge of
Tino Island. There is also the Byron's cave located at the spur of rock
below the church of St. Peter. It was named after the famous poet George
Byron, who is said to be looking for meditation and inspiration in this
place.

[{Image src='05_Porto Venere, Italy.jpg' caption='Porto Venere, Italy' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='396'}]

We are quite sure that you will also find some inspiration and elevated
thoughts while taking the virtual tour around this wonderful corner of
Italy.

\\ \\
[5 Panoramas of Porto Venere|Geography/Europe/Italy/Pictures/Panoramas_of_Porto_Venere]










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