Famous Portofino, the resort of rich and famous is an Italian village on Riviera di Levante coast in Liguria founded by the Romans and named Portus Delphini (Port of the Dolphins) because the huge number of dolphins, that can still be seen in the gulf nowadays.
The small fishing village has been discovered by the members of the British aristocracy at the end of 19th century, later recognised by the rest of the Europe, and after the WWII became the exclusive location visited by tourists from all over the world,stars from Grace Kelly and Ingrid Bergman in 50′s to Michael Douglass with Catherina Zeta-Jones at the beginning of 2009.
To see:
No new building has been built here since 1935 and this allows Portofino to mantain old maritime traditon, and smell of perfumes from the past.
On the hill above Portofino are buildings of the church San Giorgio with the bones believed to be relics of St.Gorge who defeated the Dragon, and Castello Brown – a medieval castle open for the visitors, with the garden overlooking the port and the sea.
In the village there is the church of St. Martin (Divo Martino) from 12th century and Gothic oratory of Santa Maria Assunta, and on the furthest point to the south the lighthouse on Punta del Capo.
About two hours walk, or the boat trip takes the tourists to buildings of Abbazia di san Fruttuoso from 11th century ,rebuilt in the 16th by the Doria family, who also built the tower Torre dei Doria.
On two towers sides facing the sea there are imperial eagles – Doria family’s coat of arms.
Near the tower somewhere under the water of Fruttuoso coast at the depth of 17 m is placed the statue of Cristo degli Abissi for memory of all people drowned in the sea.
Accommodation:
Hotel Splendido 5 stars
Salita Baratta, 16 – 16034 Portofino (Genova)
Ph. +39 018 5267801 – Fax +39 018 5267806
Transportation:
There is a road leading to Portofino, but the traffic is forbidden in the village, so cars are to stay at the small parking, quite often overcrowded during high season.
The port is accessible also by the ferry from nearby Santa Margherita Ligure, Camogli and Rapallo. Two first are connected with the rest of Italy by the train.
Nearest Airport:
35.8 km Genoa (Aeroporto Cristoforo Colombo di Genova – GOA)
