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How to get there: Highway Genoa-La Spezia, exit at Sarzana and continue along the State route 331 towards Lerici.
The town is surrounded by olive trees and it is located at the far East of the La Spezia Gulf. Its ancient origins are identified by its denomination “Mons Ilicic” that the lords of Arcola and Vezzano left to Genoa in 1152. From 1214 to 1245 it was a Pisan fortress and went it became a Genovese domain it was used as a center of defense and attack thanks to its strategical position.
After it was subjected to the Fieschi family, the French, and the Aragonese it was finally included in the Genovese territory in 1479. Today, Lerici is a popular sea resort and in the residential area you can see two different formations. The Medieval part between the Castle and the small harbor and the newer part from the sea that spreads towards the hills.
Lerici is dominated by the 13th – 15th century Castle and its original construction was carried out by Pisan’s. The castle was built in order to protect the population from attacks by the nearby Portovenere that was subjected to the Genovese and it is very spectacular.
It is considered to be one of the most worthy pieces of Late Medieval architecture. Very interesting is the Parish Church of St. Francesco that was rebuilt between 1632 and 1636 after another structure had been destroyed of which a marble column remains.
Also worth mentioning is the Oratory of St. Rocco that has a Baroque façade and a 14th century Gothic bell tower. Also very interesting is the home of St. Andrea Doria as well as the promenade that intertwines among restaurants and delicious ice cream shops.
There are many streets in the hinterland that allow you to take fantastic walks among nature while at the small harbor there are small boats that will take you to the most beautiful and picturesque places of the Ligurian coast.
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