* The settlement of Portus Veneris (Port of Venus) has been famous for its beauty since Roman times. The village of Portovenere is located at the foot of a steep cliff and looks like an ordinary, well-fortified fishing village with rows of brightly colored houses. But, the charm and unique atmosphere of this place rival the beauty of Portofino. Here, on the top of the cape, there is the striped 11th-century church of San Pietro, erected in honor of the patron saint of fishermen in the very place where, according to legend, the goddess of love Aphrodite (in the Western tradition, Venus) appeared in the foam from the waves of the sea. This is where the name of this place, Porto Venere, comes from. In Portovenera today, you can stroll in a calm atmosphere, enjoying the beauty of a charming place with views of the bay. From the portico, through the narrow streets, you can take a short walk up to the Romanesque church of San Lorenzo from 1130, as well as take a look at the castle fortress of Doria, one of the most influential Genoese families of the XII—XVI centuries. The village of Portovenere is a natural park that has been officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997. It also includes three small islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto. In summer, there are regular boat trips to the Cinque Terre and the island of Palmaria. Palmaria Island is considered the largest island and the only Ligurian archipelago that is separated from the mainland by only a narrow channel. The tiny islands of Tino and Tinetto are not visited because they are located in a paramilitary zone.