Santa Margherita Ligure

It is a gorgeous tourist resort, famous for its hotels, elegant shops and “Dolce vita” venues, for its arty atmosphere: here visitors such as Hemingway or Nietzsche left a trace of their journey in their writings. Here you live a holiday atmosphere, out of time. The historic centre offers the Sanctuary of Madonna della Rosa (our Lady of the Rose) previously Church of Santa Margherita, with its rich baroque interior decoration; Villa Durazzo, on the top the Corte hill , a rich residence dating back to 16th century, set in an English park with a Mediterranean twist. The interior decoration is a triumph of marbles and majolica, crystals and stuccoes. A staircase leads back to the sea and to S. Erasmo Oratory, devoted to the Saint Protector of sailors, and the Capuchins church, built at the beginning of 17th century. Here the “Madonna della Seggiola”, a 13th c. marble statue, is preserved. The castle built in 1550 overlooks the sea: it was erected to protect the coast against pirates.

Not far is the Abbey of San Gerolamo della Cervara worthwhile a visit. It was built in 14th century and boasts a magnificent Italian garden overlooking the sea.

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Il Tigullio e Portofino