Vezzi Portio: Karst, Roman Roads and Village Churches

Vezzi Portio lies in the hinterland between Spotorno and Finale Ligure. The municipality comprises four hamlets: Magnone, Portio, San Giorgio and San Filippo. Each of the four villages has a medieval settlement core; vineyards and olive terraces shape the landscape. Houses with typical Mediterranean architectural features stand amid terraced vineyards. When looking for a hotel in Vezzi Portio, it is worth first considering whether you are especially interested in landforms, historic roads or religious art. These themes give the destination a distinct character and help you decide what to focus on during your stay.

Karst Landscapes and Marine Terraces

Vezzi Portio has two significant karst areas: one near Monte Alto, the other in Val Ponci. The Pietra del Finale is associated with numerous marine terraces, especially in the hamlet of Portio. Monte Alto and Val Ponci mark the two karst areas, while Portio is particularly noted for its marine terraces. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between the karst areas and the focus on marine terraces in Portio. Part of the municipal area of Vezzi Portio lies within the protected SIC area “Finalese – Capo Noli” (IT 1323201). Another part lies within the protected SIC area “Rocca dei Corvi – Mao-Mortou” (IT 1323203).

Roman Road and Bridges in Val Ponci

A nature trail follows the valley of the Rio Ponci from Verzi to Colla di Magnone; in some sections, it runs along the route of the ancient Roman road Julia Augusta. The road was built under Emperor Augustus in 13 BC and connected Rome with Gaul (Spain). Five stone bridges survive along its original route in Val Ponci, three of which are still passable. This allows you to place the history in context and see the surviving bridge remains in Val Ponci: the story spans from the road’s construction to the structures that remain along its original route.

Rock Slab, Climbing Spot and Churches

The rock slab Ciappo del Sale lies on Rocca degli Uccelli. It is about 35 metres long and 8 metres wide. Its surface bears crosses, cup marks, basins for collecting rainwater and channels, as well as traces left by wagon wheels. Rocca degli Uccelli is considered an important free-climbing spot and can be reached from Finalpia. Archaeological features on the rock surface and its significance for climbing therefore come together at this site.

The churches also offer a range of historical points of interest. The Chiesa parrocchiale S. Filippo in Vezzi Portio is a 17th-century parish church. In Magnone, the church of Santissimo Salvatore was elevated to parish church status in 1614. The polychrome wooden sculpture Cristo Risorto in the church of Santo Sepolcro in Portio was created in 1737 and attributed to A. M. Maragliano. The Madonna del Rosario in the same church was created in Genoa in 1788 by an unknown late follower of Maragliano. The two sculptures thus differ both in date and attribution.

Museum and Things to Focus on During Your Stay

The Museo del Territorio e delle Api is located in the oratory in the hamlet of San Giorgio. It opened in 2009 and houses more than 2,000 exhibits from around the world. Visits are possible by appointment, arranged in advance by telephone. For trip planning, you can also match your interests to specific locations: Portio combines marine terraces with the religious art in Santo Sepolcro, the nature trail follows the Rio Ponci from Verzi to Colla di Magnone, and the museum is in San Giorgio. If you are then looking for a hotel in Vezzi Portio, you can decide whether landscapes, historic buildings or a museum visit should be the main focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Borgio Verezzi, Loano, Ceriale, Finale Ligure, Marina di Andora, Zuccarello, Orco Feglino, Palo-pataré

For the main travel overview: Savona.