We decided to renovate and recover an apartment that winds through the ancient walled core and the Capitular Tower. The House in the Tower is designed for those who want to immerse themselves in the busy street in summer and sly off-season of the small seaside village of Portovenere, staying in the oldest tower in the world.
The one-bedroom apartment with loft has been renovated by enhancing the original structural elements: the gray limestone tower walls dating back to 1161, the magnificent entrance door and the brick vault have been recovered.
The living area, which is developed in the ancient walled core, is embellished with frescoes by artist and friend Elena Carozzi, depicting the wild herbs we love (don't call them weeds!).
From La Spezia follow the signs for Portovenere. In Portovenere, the parking spaces available are those outside the historic centre in the paid parking spaces, delimited by the blue stripes, at the roadside.
From the first Saturday in March to the penultimate Sunday in October, all parking spaces are all metered from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. while at other times of the year in areas further away from the centre parking is free.
The path climbs from the right side of Bastreri Square (near the public baths) and climbs towards the Muzzerone refuge.
The house in the tower
Da Piazza Bastreri, prendere via Giovanni Capellini, proseguire fino al civico numero 3.
From La Spezia, follow the signs for Portovenere, past Marola, Cadimare and Fezzano. Once at Grazie, follow the signs for the 'Palestra Rocciatori', taking a road on the right.
When you come to a fork in the road, take the straight dirt road downhill until you come to an orange emergency call box. Park your car in the adjacent space and then continue along the path AV5T (Alta Via 5 Terre) towards Portovenere.
In less than 10 minutes you will reach Rifugio Muzzerone, pass it by following path 519 towards Portovenere. After a further 10 minutes you will meet the sign of "The house above the castle”.
The house in the tower
Seguire le solite indicazioni, proseguire il sentiero 519 fino ad arrivare a portovenere, in piazza Piazza Bastreri. Prendere via Giovanni Capellini, proseguire fino al civico numero 3.
