San Terenzo

Separated from Lerici by Villa Marigola and by a wooded promontory, San Terenzo dates back to Medieval times. The village appears as a timeless place, its surrounding nature has remained untouched, and the overall picture still preserves that trait of a typical seaside village. San Terenzo has ancient roots: it first was a village of fishermen and sailors, where the trade of wine and olive oil was the main activity

San Terenzo, originally a fishing village and later on also a haven for artists and intellectuals, manages to mix perfectly the sea, its large beach, and the inspiring multicolored local houses. With its houses placed next to the Castle closing the bay of Lerici, San Terenzo will charm you with its peaceful and cozy atmosphere, encouraging people to walk on the promenade under the rocky cliffs of the Castle, fortress with a quadrangular plan from the late Middle Ages, that was built by the inhabitants of the village. Here you will be able to sunbathe during the day and to enjoy the romantic lights from Lerici across the bay at night. This was the evocative place that inspired the following words:

“An ancient rough house, with its feet in the sea, with its shoulders protected by an ever-green mount populated by pine trees and holm oaks, with its balcony and porch taking you to the sea. It is a ship more than it is a house”

Paolo Mantegazza

The parish church of San Terenzo, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, was built approximately in the 17th century and houses a masterpiece by Domenico Gar, also called Il Franciosino, and the “tavola della Madonna dell’Arena” (literally, “painting of Our Lady of the sand”), a painting from the 15th century. This art piece was so named because it was found on the sandy beach after a strong costal storm, event that is still being celebrated each year on the 8th of September. The restoration works of 2011 brought back to light a series of frescos from the 12th century and portraying eight women, symbolizing the four cardinal virtues, the three theological virtues, and the Virgin with Child offering her child to a man in priest garments. 

In 19th century, San Terenzo became a haven for poets and writers. During this time, the world-famous Shelley family, authors of many masterpieces such as Frankenstein and Ozymandias, stayed at Villa Magni, placed on the promenade to Lerici. Other prominent personalities, such as Arnold Böcklin, Virginia Woolf, Paolo Mantegazza and Sam Benelli, found this corner of Liguria inspirational and as a source of immense peace.