Tino and Tinetto islands, Portovenere

TINO AND TINETTO

Tino is the second biggest island off the Gulf of Poets. The northern most part of the island preserves the 11th century ruins of the abbey of San Venerio, the patron saint of the Spezian Gulf. It was built by the Benedictines in honour of the saint, who was born on the island of Palmaria and who died a hermit on the island of Tino in 630.
The western part of the island is formed by a sheer cliff face, which is completely inaccessible, whereas the northern side of the island slopes gradually down towards the sea, and is covered in holm-oak trees and a rich flora made up of sea fennel, groundsel, euphorbia, poppies, knapweed, fig trees, red valerian and rue. Among the herbs grown on the island are rosemary, thyme and myrtle.
Tino is a military zone and is only open to the public on the 13th of September and the following Sunday, when the island hosts a local festival. A lighthouse takes pride of place on the highest point of the island.
Tinetto
The little island of Tinetto is the smallest of the three islands, with a circumference of only 300 metres and an altitude of 18 metres. Ruins of various religious buildings such as a little oratory, a 6th century monastery made up of tiny little cells and a church composed of two aisles, are all worth a visit. The island is also home to the �pordacis muralis tinettoi�, an endemic type of wall lizard.

Palmaria island:
Palmaria island

Tino and Tinetto

TINO AND TINETTO

Sleeping and eating in Portovenere

What to visit in Portovenere