Surroundings
Surroundings
The beauty around us
Tellaro
Tellaro, just a 10-minute walk from the campsite Gianna, was rated as the most beautiful village in Italy and 7 as one of the most beautiful countries of Europe (source: CNN).
Ancient and picturesque village overlooking the sea and characterized by narrow alleys leading to the sea, is an example of a country built "homes walls," according to the defense needs of the medieval era.
The church of St. George, erected on a rock overlooking the sea dominates the landscape and gives the country charm that few others possess. Among the festivals of particular interest is the Underwater Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus on Christmas Eve. Every year the statue of the baby emerges from the water carried by a group of divers and deposited in a manger, in a setting of over 8,000 candles and celebrated by fireworks over the sea. The St. George is the patron saint of Tellaro, April 23. Traditional is also the "Festival of the Octopus", which takes place every year on the second Sunday in August, organized by the Sports active in the Ligurian village.
A few steps from Tellaro, Lerici to find the beaches of Fiascherino tight embrace of the typical Ligurian coves, ideal to spend moments of relaxation and recreation, particularly popular even from great poets and writers such as Byron, Shelley and Stanley. Behind these places, the natural park of Monte Marcello, whose camp is the front door. From here excursions to beautiful Barbazzano Portesone and abandoned villages for centuries, continuing you can get to Lerici or Serra or the village of Monte Marcello.
Lerici
Lerici is located in the most eastern part of the Gulf of La Spezia, near the estuary of river Magra. Of ancient origin, the village was once under the control of Luni’s archbishops. It was once an important port for travellers and pilgrims, who through Sarzana could reach the road Francigena towards Rome and the North of Italy.
From Lerici it was also possibile to take a branch road and proceed to the way leading to San Jacopo de Compostela.
During the Middle age the village was first conquered by Genoa, then for a short period it was under the control of Pisa, and after a series of different dominations, it returned to Genoa at the end of the XV century.
Lerici’s original medieval structure is still well recognisable and, together with the beautiful sea and hills landscape and the typical houses lined along its narrow streets, is much appreciated by tourists not only in the summer, but also in winter and spring. The port of Lerici is a popular destination for wealthy tourists who make it a living and fascinating place.
From a first glance appears the powerful castle touching the clear sea water. It was built during the XIII Century by Pisa and is an uncommon example of medieval military architecture. The solid pentagonal tower is beautiful and severe. Behind the castle the tourist’s sight is attracted by the sweet “bay of Maralunga”. San Rocco oratory is also worth a visit; it was built in baroque style together with a bell tower, while the Church of San Francesco was built in 1632 and is full of art masterpieces such as the painting with "Saint Lucia, Caterina and Cecilia with the donor ", a wood cross dated 1300 and other religious works.
Cinque Terre
Five miles of rocky coasts in eastern Liguria, two headlands at the ends, thousands of kilometres of dry stone walls with vineyards, five small southern villages climbing up stones and rocks, with clusters of houses inside narrow inlets: these are the coordinates to fine the “Cinque Terre”.
Acknowledged as National Park and protected by Unesco since 1997, this natural landscape is full of steep hill sides that have been cultivated with vineyards thanks to difficult terracing. A unique example of human efforts and strength to exploit their territory. This attractive type of coast, with overhanging vertical rocks, but also offering small bays, narrow valleys and marvellous strands among the rocks, along with deep waters rich of any type of fish, make the place a real “work of art” of nature.
Golfo dei Poeti
A colourful, attractive and unique coast. Villages sheer on the sea, green hills and crystal-clear water. The Gulf of La Spezia is a peaceful discovery for tourists and it is not to surprise if this land was so strongly loved by poets and writers, such as Shelley, Byron, Petrarca and Montale.
Strands, uneven coasts, blu water, ancient villages and wide nature. Tellaro, San Terenzo, Fezzano, Le Grazie, the isle of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. Magic/enchanted and pleasant places, that were once belonging to the Lunigiana area; so much different from the inner Lunigiana, yet so similar in terms of costumes, traditions and cuisine.
source: terredilunigiana.com
