Portovenere, Manarola, Vernazza

Due to the conformation of the coast and the presence of the near island of Palmaria, Portovenere provided an ideal shelter for the ships of the Romans who, in the first century B.C., established here a military port. Portovenere is connected to the “Cinque Terre” (“Five Lands”, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso) via a trail that runs up on the mount along the coast. The Cinque Terre are connected to each others by the Via dell’Amore (Love Trail), a truly lovely walk, now closed between Riomaggiore and Corniglia, undergoing reconstruction since the 2011 flood. Parking in the villages is scarce, so the best way to visit is now the train from La Spezia or from Genova, but it’s worth it. You can still walk the upper trail from Porto Venere to Levanto, next to Monterosso.

The Church of Saint Peter in Portovenere was established in 1198. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/8 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 64

The white and black stripes are typical of a branch of the romanesque style that found mature expression in the construction of the Cathedral of Pisa. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/6 sec ƒ/4 ISO 800

The building of Saint Peter stands on the remains of a previous church dating back to the fifth century. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/10 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 64

The base of the belfry occupies the left chapel of the presbytery. Nikon D810, 300mm (Sigma 150-600 mm ƒ/5.0-6.3) 1/13 sec ƒ/11 ISO 64

The Roman port dates back to the first century B.C. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 0.5 sec ƒ/6.3 ISO 64

The island of Palmaria is only a few yards from the coast and it is a sanctuary for plants and birds alike. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 01 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 64

The village of Portovenere lies on the western shore of the gulf of La Spezia, also kown as “The Poets”. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85 mm ƒ1.4) 1/80 ƒ 8 ISO 64

Manarola from the Love Trail. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/200 sec ƒ/8 ISO 64

The Manarola Cemetery. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/125 sec ƒ/8 ISO 64

Vegetation along the trail. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/100 sec ƒ/2.8 ISO 64

Manarola is the oldest village of the Cinque Terre. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/400 sec ƒ/8 ISO 64

A building in Via Discovolo, the main street in Manarola. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/125 sec ƒ/3.5 ISO 64

View of Manarola at dusk from the Cemetery. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 4 sec ƒ/6.3 ISO 64

The Milky Way from Manarola. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 30 sec ƒ/2.8 ISO 800

Vernazza’s name is derived from the Latin adjective verna meaning “native” and the aptly named indigenous wine, vernaccia (“local” or “ours”), helped give birth to the village’s moniker. Nikon D810, 24mm (24 mm ƒ/1.4) 1/500 sec ƒ/5.6 ISO 64

The village of Monterosso, connected to Vernazza by the the Via dell’Amore, recently reopened in this segment. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85 mm ƒ1.4) 1/1000 ƒ 4.5 ISO 64

The village of Monterosso, connected to Vernazza by the the Via dell’Amore, recently reopened in this segment. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85 mm ƒ1.4) 1/500 ƒ 4.5 ISO 64

In the 15th century Vernazza prolonged the construction of the trail system and harbor pier constructed to protect against heavy seas. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85 mm ƒ1.4) 1/500 ƒ 4.5 ISO 64

Dating back to the year 1080, Vernazza was an active maritime base and a likely point of departure for naval forces in defence against the pirates. Nikon D810, 85 mm (85 mm ƒ1.4) 1/160 ƒ 6.3 ISO 64

Portovenere

Là fuoresce il tritone

dai flutti che lambiscono
le soglie d’un cristiano
tempio, ed ogni ora prossima
è antica. Ogni dubbiezza
si conduce per mano
come una fanciulletta amica.
Là non è chi si guardi
o stia di sé in ascolto.
Quivi sei alle origini
e decidere è stolto:

ripartirai più tardi per assumere un volto.

(Eugenio Montale)