🌊 The Gulf of Poets (Golfo dei Poeti) – A Complete Guide
The Gulf of Poets, located in the eastern part of Liguria, is a stunning bay stretching from Portovenere to Lerici, with La Spezia at its heart. It has inspired artists, writers, and poets for centuries with its breathtaking coastline, colorful villages, and literary history.
📖 Origin of the Name
The term “Gulf of Poets” was coined in 1910 by playwright Sem Benelli, referring to the many poets and writers who found inspiration here, including Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, and Virginia Woolf.
📍 Villages of the Gulf
Each village along the bay has its own charm and character. Here’s a guide to the most iconic:
🏙️ La Spezia
The main city in the gulf, La Spezia is a bustling port with a naval base and commercial activity. It offers museums, beautiful public gardens, and a seafront promenade with sweeping views of the coast.
🏰 Lerici
On the eastern side of the gulf, Lerici is dominated by its medieval castle housing a geology and paleontology museum. It’s known for its picturesque alleys, piazzas, and lively beach scene.
🌅 San Terenzo
A hamlet of Lerici, San Terenzo is famous for Villa Magni, once home to the Shelleys. It has a peaceful atmosphere, sandy beaches, and a promenade connecting it to Lerici.
🐚 Tellaro
Listed among “Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages,” Tellaro features colorful cliffside houses, winding lanes, and the Church of San Giorgio perched dramatically above the sea.
⛪ Portovenere
At the western end of the gulf, Portovenere boasts the scenic Church of St. Peter on a cliff and the row of colorful tower-houses along the harbor. In front lie the islands Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
🚤 Le Grazie
A small fishing village and part of Portovenere, Le Grazie is peaceful and charming, known for its marina and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Graces, a pilgrimage destination.
🌊 Fezzano
A quiet maritime village between La Spezia and Portovenere, Fezzano is known for its narrow lanes, colorful houses, and cozy harbor.
⚓ Marola
Just outside La Spezia, Marola is a small village with strong nautical traditions and a history tied to naval training and seamanship.