Palmaria island, Portovenere

PALMARIA ISLAND

Palmaria is the largest of the three islands located off the Gulf of Poets. It is separated from Portovenere by a narrow strait known as �le Bocche�. The island owes its name to its numerous caves, known in the local dialect as �balme�, hence �Balmaria�, which later became Palmaria.
Palmaria is made up of various landscapes, ranging from gentle slopes that stretch down to meet the strait, to the typical Mediterranean foliage that covers the centre of the island in wild orchids, blueberries and cistus plants, to the high cliffs overlooking the sea in the direction of Cinque Terre. The cliffs hide caves such as the Grotta Azzura and the Grotta dei Colombi, where prehistoric fossils have been discovered.
The highest point of the island boasts various structures such as the 19th century fort of Umberto I, which is known today as the Sea Fort, and il Semaforo, a former prison. The latter is now home to a museum, the southern most part concealing an abandoned cave that was once used to extract a type of black marble striped with gold, known as portoro.
A walk known as the �Camminata ecologica della Palmaria� takes place every year on the island, starting from the ferry port of Terrizzo, and passing by the school that overlooks the cave of Schenello, la Punta della Mariella, the bay of Pozzale and the highest point of the island before returning to Terrizzo.
Palmaria is easily accessed by steamboat or private sea craft.

The other rocks:
Tino and Tinetto

Palmaria island

PALMARIA ISLAND

Sleeping and eating in Portovenere

What to visit in Portovenere