Fezzano

Fezzano information index:

- History
- What to see
- Where to sleep
- Where to eat and restaurants
- Beaches
- Trekking
- Gastronomy
- Traditional holidays
- How to get there
- Boat tours
- Weather forecast

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Fezzano overlooks the Gulf of Poets. The small fishing village is part of the municipality of Portovenere, of which it is the first locality coming from La Spezia and is characterized by the typical Ligurian colored houses.

History
The history of Fezzano sinks into the Roman era, the ancient fundus Alphidianus. Known as Mezzano until the 9th century, it was donated to the monastery of San Venerio by Guidone Malaspina on 6 January 1052.
For many centuries a Genoese possession, it was conquered like the rest of the area by Napoleon, with whom it was an autonomous municipality in 1805.

What to see
Just the sight of the colorful houses, leaning against each other and overlooking the seafront, deserves a visit to Fezzano. Among the evocative alleys is the 1740 church of San Giovanni Battista, decorated with baroque altars, an organ by the Genoese Luigi Ciurlo, five large canvases by the local painter Giuseppe Tori and a statue by Anton Maria Maragliano.

Also interesting are the ruins of Villa Cattaneo Vespucci, where Simonetta Cattaneo resided, a Renaissance noblewoman born in Fezzano, married very young to Marco Vespucci. According to some, she inspired Botticelli in the Birth of Venus. Madly in love with her was well Lorenzo the Magnificent. The background of the painting would represent the Gulf of Poets or the Gulf of Venus, as it was once known.

Where to sleep
It is possible to sleep in the village of Fezzano, near the sea, in some apartments and guest houses. Here is a list of possibilities on where to sleep in Fezzano.

Where to eat and restaurants
There are also different options for restaurants in Fezzano: O Chi O a Cà Toa, Marinerei restaurant, La Bitta restaurant, Il Tritone restaurant.

Beaches
At the end of the promenade, after the restaurant Il Tritone, there is a small strip of sand, called the Cavetta beach, made up of pebbles and bordered by a low barrier of rocks.
The beaches of Fezzano

Trekking trails
From Fezzano, near the church of San Giovanni Battista, the path 512 Fezzano-Case Villano begins uphill along the steps of Via Ruggeri (the one on the left), the so-called "Path in the woods".

It is a connecting hiking trail that in one kilometer and 200 meters, with a difference in height of 200 meters, climbs intersecting with the path 513 Il Piano-Innesto AVG path, which can then descend towards Portovenere or go up to Campiglia or go down towards Cadimare and Marola along the path 529.

Discover Portovenere trekking trails.

Gastronomy
Fezzano shares its typical dishes with the nearby Ligurian towns. So the mussels in all their declinations, as well as the octopus, different types of pasta with seafood or pesto, the catch of the day (sea bream, sea bass ...), fritture.
And of course, ground dishes such as minestrone with seasonal vegetables and stuffed chicken.

Traditional holidays
The great feast of the village of Fezzano is celebrated on 24 June, the day of San Giovanni Battista and patronal feast.
On this occasion, usually for three or four days, a craft and food and wine fair is held and folklore events are organized.

How to get there
Fezzano can be easily reached by car from La Spezia, 6 km away, along the coastal road, in the direction of Portovenere, which is 8 km away.
The village does not have a train station, the closest station is La Spezia Centrale, from which it is possible to take a bus to Fezzano.
Furthermore, by boat, during July and August, there is a regular service from Portovenere, the island of Palmaria, Cadimare and Le Grazie.
Detailed information on how to get to Fezzano.

For car parking, the best and almost unique option is the multi-storey car park along the inside road, 200 meters from the town.
Parking in Fezzano.

Boat tours
Throughout the year, weather permitting, it is possible to rent a dinghy, a boat or organize a trip to the nearby seaside resorts. There are several possibilities with private operators:
Boat trips and rental in Fezzano.

Weather forecast
Weather forecasts are important for planning a vacation or a boat trip. Check the weather in Fezzano.