In contrary to the original forecast the weather was quite gruesome this pentecost weekend. So a good opportunity to dive into the archives, in this case back to a sunny January afternoon in 2004, when we were living in Genoa, Italy.
That afternoon we visited Portofino, a picturesque fishing village on the Ligurian coast just outside Genoa. The town with its colorfully painted historic houses is built around a small harbor.
For some more info about the village that is said to feature the highest real estate prices in Italy, and more photos, continue after the jump…
Said to be founded by the Romans as Portus Delphini (Port of the Dolphins), Portofino has always been associated with celebrity and artistic visitors, among them Richard I. Lionheart of England, Pope Gregory XI, Guy de Maupassant, Guglielmo Marconi, Rex Harrison and Lili Palmer. Former Italian prime minister Silvia Berlusconi also owned one of the striking villas that line the rocky coast near the village.
The beautiful natural harbor is surrounded by many popular restaurants and bars, and in the summer the anchorage is full of the superyachts of celebrities.
There is a beautiful walk out to the narrow peninsula that separates the harbor from the Golfo Paradiso, as this part of Ligurian sea is called. The hill features a medieval castle and a lighthouse with offers a great view across the gulf back to the Riviera.
The price of the apartments in Portofino is said to be a million Euro per window. But it is hard to imagine to live in a more beautiful place, as especially the late afternoon light is like liquid gold, inspiring the many poets who lived here.
If you ever visit Genoa or the Ligurian Riviera, make sure you make a stop in Portofino.
Have a great week!
Marcus
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Amazing photos of an amazing place.I was there a month ago and the small details you have given in your post helped to fill in a few blanks for me. Thanks! It must have been lovely to have lived on the Ligurian Coast.So beautiful.So inspiring.
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and comment, glad you like it! And we loved living in Liguria so much. Returning there is always a bit like returning home! Have a good week! Marcus
Thank you so much, your kind words are much appreciated!
Wow! It looks quite stunning there. Thanks for sharing these photos Marcus. 🙂 -Amy
You are welcome, Amy, thanks for your kind words. The Ligurian coast is so beautiful and we are privileged to have lived there for five years!
Love Italy, stunningly photographed and written
Thanks, it means so much! We were privileged to have lived there some years. A magic piece of earth!
I’m sure you are right, beautiful area.
A real pearl really! To visit Italy as a suit, then the photos taken from the water give tribute to the landscape…
Thank you so much for your kind words! Marcus
Great pictures Marcus! You were just lucky to be living here! Looks like a picture perfect place
Thanks so much for commenting, Arv! Yes, we still feel privileged to have lived in Italy! Have a good weekend! Marcus
Great… you too 😊
Beautiful landscape, the quality of the photo is also very sharp. Love to visit that place someday..
Thank you for your kind comment 🙂 ! Marcus
So gorgeous!
Thanks, Vicki, a beautiful place indeed!
Very Nyc
Thanks 🙂
It’s awsmmm
Please hear my songs in my website and like comment it means alot to me 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Lovely shots.
Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂 !
Beautiful photos, makes me want to go on holiday again 🙂
Thanks, Lynne, means a lot!
🙂
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing these great photos!
Thank you so much, your kind words are much appreciated! Marcus
You’re welcome!
I visited Portofino many years ago, the place is stunningly beautiful.
The third photo down was the setting for one my favourite movies ‘Enchanted April, based on the book by Elizabeth von Arnim ‘The Enchanted April’.
I must get my friend to come take a look at this post as I’ve raved to him about Portofino, the book and the film, many times.
Thank you for sharing
Thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot! I need to check out the film, I’ve never seen it! Marcus
Fantastic shots, Marcus.. I really love the second picture from the last. Is it church standing alone on the rock cliffs?
Thanks, Nurul, your kind words mean a lot. Actually, the building is a privately owned Villa, not a church. Marcus
Such beautiful light. One day I will make it here. One day….
It looks idyllic, I’ve not visited that part of Italy but hope to. Have a good week Marcus. M.
Thanks, Marion, much appreciated. The Ligurian Riviera is indeed so much worth a visit and can be easily reached via the airports of Genoa and Pisa. Have a good week as well! Marcus
Great snaps.. We went to Portofino and you have definitely captured it’s beauty. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Glad I could bring back some memories! Marcus
Portofino is simply stunning
Thanks for commenting!