Vezzi Portio: Karst, the Via Julia Augusta and Sacred Art

Vezzi Portio in the Hinterland

Vezzi Portio lies in the hinterland between Spotorno and Finale Ligure. The municipality comprises the four hamlets of Magnone, Portio, San Giorgio and San Filippo. Medieval settlement centres, houses with typical Mediterranean architectural features, and vineyards and olive terraces characterize the townscape. Thus, in Vezzi Portio, settlement history, terraced landscapes and regional architectural styles come together.

Karst and Protected Landscapes

The landscape includes two significant karst areas: one near Monte Alto and one in Val Ponci. The Pietra del Finale is associated with numerous marine terraces, particularly in the hamlet of Portio. Part of the municipality of Vezzi Portio lies within the protected SIC area “Finalese – Capo Noli” (IT 1323201), while another part lies within the protected SIC area “Rocca dei Corvi – Mao-Mortou” (IT 1323203).

Following the Via Julia Augusta

The nature trail in Val Ponci is a particularly vivid combination of landscape and antiquity. It follows the valley of the Rio Ponci from Verzi to Colla di Magnone and partly runs along the route of the ancient Roman road Via Julia Augusta. Five stone bridges from the original route of the Via Julia Augusta have survived in Val Ponci, three of which are still passable. The Via Julia Augusta was built under Emperor Augustus in 13 BC and connected Rome with Gaul (Spain).

Rock History and Free Climbing

The Rocca degli Uccelli also brings the rock landscape to life. The Ciappo del Sale rock slab is approximately 35 metres long and 8 metres wide. It bears crosses, cup marks, basins for collecting rainwater, grooves and traces left by wagon wheels. Rocca degli Uccelli is considered an important free-climbing site and can be reached from Finalpia.

Museum in San Giorgio

For a cultural visit, there is the Museo del Territorio e delle Api in the Oratorio in the hamlet of San Giorgio in Vezzi Portio. It opened in 2009 and preserves more than 2,000 exhibits from around the world. The museum welcomes visitors by prior telephone appointment.

Churches and Works of Art

Vezzi Portio and its hamlets are also home to several churches and works of art with different historical connections. The Chiesa parrocchiale S. Filippo in Vezzi Portio is a parish church dating from the 17th century. The Church of Santissimo Salvatore in Magnone was elevated to parish church status in 1614. The Church of Santo Sepolcro in Portio houses the polychrome wooden sculpture Cristo Risorto, attributed to A. M. Maragliano and created in 1737. Also located there is the Madonna del Rosario, created in Genoa in 1788 by an unknown late successor of Maragliano.

More Destinations

Also discover Nasino-Borgo, Stellanello, Pallare, Vendone, Castelbianco, Ranzi, Magliolo and Pianazzo.

To the higher-level travel overview: Savona.