Tellaro, Coastal village in Lerici, Italy
Tellaro is a coastal village perched on a rocky headland with narrow passages and stone steps winding through its layers of old buildings. Medieval architecture and the church sit at its heart, while small boats and fishing equipment line the harbor where the streets meet the water.
The settlement emerged as a trading post in medieval times and fell under Genoese control in 1152, shaping its development as a strategic port. The influence of that era remains visible in the village's defensive structures and stone architecture that have survived centuries of coastal life.
The village is dedicated to Saint George, the patron saint of fishermen who have worked these waters for generations and still maintain their connection to the sea. Locals honor this link through their daily routines and the stories passed down about why their harbor holds such meaning.
The village is best explored on foot through its steep, winding alleys that can be narrow and require good footing. Visit during quieter times of year to walk through without crowds and get a sense of daily life along the waterfront.
The village holds an unusual Christmas tradition where divers emerge from the sea on Christmas Eve carrying a nativity scene from the harbor. This custom merges the place's religious traditions with its deep ties to the ocean in a way visitors rarely encounter elsewhere.
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