La Spezia - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello San Giorgio

The castle of San Giorgio was built in 1252 thanks to Niccolò Fieschi. The construction of its walls today represents a testimony of about 300 meters. The interior looks eccentric thanks to the characteristic Ghibelline battlements and the walkways of the guards. In 1606 the castle was renovated again by the Genoese. The property is located in the city of La Spezia, and has an entrance to the north and one in the west area. Today the castle is part of the Ubaldo Formentini Civic Archaeological Museum.

La Spezia - Museums

Museo Tecnico Navale

The Technical Naval Museum has very ancient origins and represents the most important of Italian naval museums. Initially, it was positioned at the mechanical workshops inside the military plant, later it was placed next to the main gateway to the Military Arsenal. The building inside allows you to admire ancient weapons, scuba divers and other models of World War I.

La Spezia - Museums

Museo Civico Archeologico

The museum is located in the Castle of San Giorgio. Here we see the findings from all the area, from prehistoric to medieval times. For a long time it was the only museum in the area.

La Spezia - Monuments

Monumento a Giuseppe Garibaldi

The monument of Giuseppe Garibaldi is located in the city of La Spezia. The bronze monument weighing about 60 tons was designed by the Italian sculptor Antonio Garella and inaugurated in June 1913. After the inauguration there were celebrations for three days in a row.

Ortonovo - Museums

Museo Etnografico

The Ethnographic Museum was built in the seventeenth century and is a Colombara building in the locality of Casano. The Museum welcomes materials that tell the story of the oil mill through centuries-old machinery and equipment. The route is spread over two floors, a place where the olives were pressed and their squeezing in the special presses. There are also machines used for the processing of maize and objects dedicated to the pressing of grapes.

Lerici - Museums

Museo Geopaleontologico del Castello

The museum was created due to a discovery by Ilario Sirigu, who found fossil tracks on a rocky surface. These discoveries are confirmed by both the University of Rome and Pisa. The Geopaleontological Museum is located inside the Castle of Lerici, inside we find precious fossil minerals, rocks and footsteps of dinosaurs that came to light in Italy.

La Spezia - Museums

Museo Civico del Sigillo

The Museum of the Seal offers visitors the most complete collection that has ever been gathered. In fact, more than 1,500 seals are preserved, from eras ranging from the fourth millennium BC to the present day. The collection was donated, a few years ago, by the spouses Lilian and Euro Capellini to the Municipality of Spezia.

Calice al Cornoviglio - Museums

Pinacoteca "David Beghè"

The “David Beghè” Art Gallery is located inside the Doria Malaspina castle in Calice. The museum was established on 7 July 1992 to support the works of art by the great painter David Beghe. 28 oil works are exhibited, while, as far as its frescoes are concerned, the largest part were photographed and then exhibited.

Lerici - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Lerici

The structure, based on a polygonal basis, is located on the rocky promontory of Lerici in a dominant position. Built in 1152, the Castle was several times transformed and renovated at the time of the Maritime Republics of Genoa and Pisa, which wanted to give ownership. In 1555 the building took its current appearance at the will of the Office of St. George and, after the work was completed, a tombstone still visible today was exposed.

Sarzana - Castles, palaces and mansions

Fortezza di Sarzanello

It is a construction that dates back to the tenth century. Its purpose has always been the military one. In the past it belonged to Emperor Otto I. Its structure is composed of two parts: the first is given by the real castle and the second by a rivell that has the form of a fortified embankment. Today, being in good condition, it is entirely open to visitors.

Arcola - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Arcola

The Obertengo castle was a defensive building and stately residence in the feudal era of the medieval village. After the restorations carried out in 1884, the building is today's seat of the town hall.

Levanto - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di Sant'Andrea

The church of St. Andrew the Apostle is a religious building of Levanto. We do not know exactly the date that marked the beginning of its construction. The facade is very special because it alternates bands of white Carrara marble with a green material, decorative motif typical of Gothic architecture in Genoa. Very nice is the large marble rose window, as well as the facade and interior of the church, restored several times.

Monterosso al Mare - Beaches

Spiaggia di Monterosso al Mare

Sarzana - Castles, palaces and mansions

Cittadella Firmafede

The construction was built at the behest of Lorenzo the Magnificent in 1487, when he decided to bring down the old citadel. Six bulwarks and a keep are part of its structure. It is currently in excellent condition and can be admired in all its splendor.

Ameglia - Beaches

Spiaggia di Punta Corvo

Punta Corvo is a wild and charming beachand that was rewarded by Legaambiente as one of the 11 most beautiful beaches in Italy. Is reached by a staircase of 700 steps or by boat with the service with departures from Bocca di Magra and Fiumaretta (only in spring and summer). The journey time is approximately 15 minutes.

Vernazza - Beaches

Spiaggia di Guvano

Vernazza - Beaches

Spiaggia di Vernazza

La Spezia - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Principale dell'arsenale

The main door of the La Spezia arsenal is one of the most important and ancient bases of the Italian Navy. The door is located in the Gulf of La Spezia, in the central western area, very close to the historic center of the city. This construction was built at the behest and intuition of Napoleon Bonaparte.

La Spezia - Walls, towers and gates

Mura Trecentesche

The fourteenth-century walls of the city of La Spezia date back to the Middle Ages and today they are clearly visible. For what's left of it, the Walls were cleared of the weeds and the black patina that covered it. They are among the typical monuments of the maritime city.

La Spezia - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello Coderone ruderi

The castle is located just outside the town of Biassa. It has a large square construction. The castle was remodeled in the 15th and 16th centuries, when with the loss of strategic importance it was converted into a stately residence, then belonged to the family of Biassa, precedents of the Viano di Carpena.

Castelnuovo Magra - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Castelnuovo

The Castle of Castelnuovo is located in the province of La Spezia. Its construction dates back to the end of the 13th century. In the middle of the fifteenth century, during the domination of the Medici, the building was restored. Currently, the medieval structure has remained the two circular and quadrangular towers and some remains of the walls.

Calice al Cornoviglio - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Calice o Doria-Malaspina

It is a building built for the defensive purpose around the 11th century. Today the castle is home to municipal, tourist offices and the Environmental Education Center. But it also hosts other institutions. In fact, on the remaining two floors there is the Beekeeping Museum, the David Beghe Picture Gallery and the Pietro Rosa Museum. It is still in excellent condition, tourists can see it in its original structure.

Arcola - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Trebiano Diroccato

The Castle is of medieval origin (it is assumed to date back to the 10th century) and is located in the homonymous village. At its origins it was used by the bishopric of Luni. The building has a pentagonal structure and has no windows, only louvers. Unfortunately, today the castle is in a state of total abandonment and it is not possible to visit it.

Arcola - Walls, towers and gates

Torre Obertenghi

The Obertenghi tower, with a pentagonal plan, was erected in the tenth century. Its height exceeds 20 meters, as it was used for surveillance reasons. Even today we notice the Roman elements, despite the restorations it has undergone over the years. It was badly damaged by the bombings during the war, as a result, the current appearance is the result of a series of improvements.

Riomaggiore - Churches and places of worship

Santuario della Madonna di Montenero

Riomaggiore - Viewpoints

Via dell'amore

It is a pedestrian street overlooking the sea, about a kilometer long that connects Riomaggiore and Manarola.

Riomaggiore - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

The church of San Giovanni Battista is a religious building located in Via Pecunia in Riomaggiore. Inside it is possible to find many famous works including: a triptych in the right aisle, attributed to the master Benedetto Antelami or his sculptural school, a painting depicting the Preaching of John the Baptist.

Corniglia - Viewpoints

La Lardarina

What clearly differs Corniglia from the other villages of Cinque Terre is its elevated position. In fact, a flight of 377 steps, called Lardarina, must be ascended to reach the village lying on a large terrace at 100 mt from sea level.

Corniglia - Streets and Squares

Via Fieschi

The entire town of Corniglia is spread on the Via Fieschi. It leads from the parish of San Pietro to the Terrace of Santa Maria crossing the whole country.

Corniglia - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di San Pietro

It is located in Via Fieschi, in the small hamlet of Corniglia. It was built in 1334 by the masters Comancini.

Manarola - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Commonly called “Church of San Lorenzo, it was built in 1338 at the hands of Masters Antelami. The Church is considered an important monument in Gothic style.

Vernazza - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di Santa Margherita

It was built in the 13th century in Genoan-romanic style

Monterosso al Mare - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di San Francesco

The church is on the hill of San Cristoforo, where the former castle of the ancient noble family Fieschi from Genoa and a monastery are situated. Paintings attributed to Van Dick and Guido Reni are only a few of the artistic treasures that can be seen

Monterosso al Mare - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista

San Giovanni Battista’s church was built between the 13th and 14th centuries. Its facade is in typical Ligurian gothic style and creates a beautiful two-tone effect alternating white and dark green marbles. The main portal is adorned by by a wide rose window adding elegance to the whole building.

Montemarcello - Viewpoints

Punta Bianca

The name comes from the presence of a thick layer of saccharoid white limestone clearly visible from the sea, used for its beauty already in Roman times.

Varese Ligure - Historic Centres

Borgo Rotondo

So called for its circular structure. An ellipse of small and thin houses, characterized by a low porch, describes a round square still occupied by a core of taller houses. The whole structure dates back to the fourteenth century, when Varese was already a nerve center for commerce and communication routes, conceived by the Fieschi for military and merchant purposes.

Monterosso al Mare - Churches and places of worship

Santuario Nostra Signora di Soviore

Situated at 4 km from Monterosso, it was founded in the 14th century with contribution of local residents, who considered it as their own pilgrimage destination. Inside the beautiful church,which still attracts many visitors and devotees, a valuable historical organ Agati offers the occasion for fine concerts. The Sanctuary of Soviore is part of a track solely dedicated to sanctuaries, since each of the five village situated in Cinque Terre has a local religious church for pilgrimages.

La Spezia - Churches and places of worship

Cattedrale di Cristo Re

The construction of the cathedral dates back to 1975 in a strategic point of the city with the purpose of the unification of the historic districts with the eastern ones. The outside has the form of a hyperboloid to a flap. The 50m diameter drum cover supports the wall and unloads the weight towards the steel structure of the joints. The interior receives light from the glass window of the eye in the center of the dome, which combined with the original frescoes make the cathedral the most important Catholic religious place in the city.

Arcola - Churches and places of worship

Santuario di Nostra Signora degli Angeli

The birth of the sanctuary is linked to an alleged appearance of the Virgin Mary who, according to popular tradition, took place on 21/5/1556; Our Lady and 2 angels appeared to 5 sisters of the Fiamberti family.

La Spezia - Churches and places of worship

Pieve di San Venerio

The Parish Church of S. Venerio dates back to the medieval period, with a Romanesque layout, rebuilt on a previous building. It has a simple facade and a bell tower, built later. Some details of the construction can be traced back to the first half of the 17th century.

Lerici - Churches and places of worship

Cappella di Santa Anastasia

Still used to celebrate masses and weddings, it is located inside the castle of Lerici. In it are well preserved the cross vaults and the typical two-color decoration in black stone and white marble Pisan-Genoese style of the 13th century.

La Spezia - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa Abbaziale di Santa Maria Assunta

The abbey church of Santa Maria Assunta is located in the historic city center, in Piazza Giulio Beverini, and is the main place of worship of the city. The church is divided into large naves punctuated by columns, and has three very characteristic entrance portals.

Levanto - Churches and places of worship

Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata

The church of the Santissima Annunziata is a religious building site in the square Nostra Signora Annunziata in Levanto. The fifteenth-century complex is located outside of the historical center of Levanto, not far away from the station of Levanto. This is a typical structure in the Franciscan style. In the front there is a white Carrara marble bas-relief dating to the fifteenth century.

La Spezia - Viewpoints

Muzzerone

The cliffs discovered and exploited by Roberto Vigiani and mountain guide by David Battistella strong local climber and doctor of Alpine rescue have become a destination for climbing enthusiasts from around the world.

Ameglia - Archaeological Sites

Villa romana di Bocca di Magra

Ortonovo - Archaeological Sites

Antica Città Romana di Luni

The Ancient Roman City of Luni was founded in 177 BC by two thousand Roman settlers during the wars with the Apuan Ligures. Its strategic geographical position meant that the port of the city became an important commercial port for the transport of the white marble of the Apuan Islands to Rome. After the various destruction that occurred over the centuries, some parts of the ancient city still remain, such as the Capitolum, the Paleo-Christian Basilica of Santa Maria di Luni and the amphitheater dating back to the first century A.D.

Ortonovo - Archaeological Sites

Zona Archeologica di Luni

The Archaeological Zone of Luni is located in the center of the alluvial plain that goes from Sarzana to the sea. The city of Luni had the dual function of a port and a military strategic point for controlling the Ligurian and Tuscan coasts. Its geographical position made it one of the most important ports for the Apuan white marble trade. The perimeter of the walls allows a visit to the Paleo-Christian basilica of Santa Maria and the Capitolum.

La Spezia - Libraries and archives

Accademia lunigianese di scienze

La Spezia - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Castellazzo

The Gate dates back to 1887, commissioned by Domenico Chiodo, the captain of the time of the Navy. During the war it was badly damaged, and as a result, it remained in total abandonment. It was Stefano Tinto, its current owner, who restored it and brought it to today's appearance. Today, a homonymous accommodation facility is located in the door shed, open to the public.

Ameglia - Walls, towers and gates

Torre di Montemarcello

The Tower of Montemarcello, in the province of Ameglia, is located in the homonymous Castle. The Tower gives towards the north entrance of the city. The structure is assumed to date back to 1286 at the behest of Bishop Luni Enrico for purely defensive purposes. Today, the property is in excellent condition and is open to the public and is open to the public.

Sarzana - Walls, towers and gates

Porta Romana

The Porta Romana di Sarzana is a beautiful example of architecture that is still completely intact. It was built with the aim of preventing enemies from entering the city.

Ortonovo - Walls, towers and gates

Torre di Guinigi

The Guinigi Tower was built around the fifteenth century and today it turns out to be the bell tower of the church of San Lorenzo di Ortonovo and was part of a castle that stood on the current church. The type of construction recalled the Lunigian towers of circular shape with beccatelli for defense.

La Spezia - Castles, palaces and mansions

Palazzo delle Poste Centrali

The former board of the Knights of Malta, which was built in 1875, hosted for years the royal family of Savoy.

Levanto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Loggia Comunale

The Municipal Loggia is site in Levanto and dates back to the sixteenth century. This is elevated about a meter from Piazza del Popolo, the historic area of the medieval village which in the past took the name of Piazza della Loggia. The structure preserves a fresco and other works of art.

Varese Ligure - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello dei Fieschi

The Fieschi Castle consists of two imposing towers, called by Piccinino and Landi. The fortress was the residence of the Podestà from the 16th to the 18th century and then became a private home. Currently you can visit the prisons below, the presentation hall and the walkways of the buttress.

Bonassola - Natural Areas

Bosco e Spiaggia del Villaggio la Francesca

The green hill where the La Francesca resort stands and the small beach below have been marked several times as 'place of the heart' in the FAI censuses ( http://www.iluoghidelcuore.it/bosco-e-spiaggia-del-villaggio-la-francesca).

Lerici - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di San Terenzo

Built on a rocky territory by the inhabitants of the village around 1400 on an ancient existing tower that served to guard the sea from pirate invasions. In different times, the castle has undergone changes. Over the centuries, the castle has been a real defender from attacks coming from the sea. Today, the original structure has remained with three circular turrets, the entrance and a quadrangular tower. The castle is open to public visits.

Varese Ligure - Museums

Museo Contadino

The Farmer Museum located in the municipality of Varese Ligure was built in 1975 and renovated in 2005. Inside we can admire objects that were used by citizens and that belong to the late nineteenth century period.

Zignago - Museums

Mostra Permanente Storico-Archeologica

The Permanent Historical-Archaeological Exhibition is located within the environments of the school of Pieve di Zignago. The museum is divided into three rooms and displays photographic materials related to the excavation campaigns, inhabited already in prehistoric times.

La Spezia - Museums

Museo Civico "Amedeo Lia"

Opened in 1996, thanks to the Amadeo family , who lent their private collection for exhibitions. You can see paintings and miniatures from the XIII to the XVIII century. You can also see statues and ancient and medieval items.

Vernazza - Monumental Trees

Cipresso Monumentale

The Cypress is part of the monumental trees present in the Vernazza National Park. Its dimensions are 3.65 m in circumference and 22 m in height. It is located near the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Reggio.

La Spezia - Monuments

Monumento al Generale Chiodo

The monument of General Domenico Chiodo is located in the city of La Spezia. Domenico Chiodo was both a general and an Italian architect. He was born in Genoa in 1823 and died in La Spezia in 1870. He designed the Maritime Military Arsenal of La Spezia.

Ortonovo - Museums

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

The National Archaeological Museum of Ortonovo is located in the area of excavations of the locality of Luni and is curated by the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Liguria. The museum area houses artifacts such as statues, tableware and glass found in the excavations as well as reconstructions of the Domus Lunensi. A particular section is dedicated to the sacred architecture of the Capitolium and to the Sanctuary of the Moon Goddess.

La Spezia - Museums

Museo Civico "Ubaldo Formentini"

The Ubaldo Formentini Civic Museum has been located in the San Giorgio castle since 1873. The Museum organizes the Paleofestival, an event that shows the style of life “of antiquity”. The Museum is spread over two floors; in the first floor you can see the lifestyle of the territory in different eras of history, and in the second there are the Roman findings of the Luni area.

La Spezia - Parks and nature reserves

Giardini pubblici

In the XIX century, when the city was grown outside the old walls, there were designed the parks. Here is a botanic garden with many statues. The most famous is the statue of Garibaldi.

Maissana - Adventure Parks

Parco Avventura Val di Vara