Portofino, Coastal commune in Liguria, Italy
Portofino is a commune on the coast of Liguria in the Metropolitan City of Genoa, built around a small harbor ringed by houses painted in shades of yellow, rose, and green. The waterfront holds private yachts, traditional fishing boats, and ferries that run regional routes.
The settlement began in Roman times as a docking point for ships traveling along the Ligurian coast. During the Middle Ages, the site belonged to the Abbey of San Fruttuoso and later developed under noble Genoese families.
The harbor buildings carry color schemes that once helped returning fishermen identify their mooring from a distance. These structures stand tightly packed, forming a continuous facade behind which steep lanes and small staircases branch off.
Travelers can reach the village by regular ferry from Santa Margherita Ligure or via a steeper trail from the hilly hinterland to the northeast, which offers views over the bay. The narrow lanes in the center are pedestrian-only, and parking is limited to a few paid spaces on the surrounding slopes.
A bronze statue of Christ stands at a depth of 17 meters (56 feet) in the bay and is visited by divers who leave memorial plaques there. The figure was placed in 1954 to honor a diver who died at that spot.
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