Often in Liguria there are ancient villages left on their own, they call them “ghost” because for various reasons (lack of roads, the remoteness from the economic centers, the age of the houses) they are not animated by our daily lives. However, these villages are so beautiful that time and neglect have not been able to erase the timeless charm of the stone houses, stone walls and mule so typical.
Many are unknown and can not be reached with the beaten track by walking on the most popular paths, and you must know how to go into the woods and in the streets less traveled. Two of these wonderful villages in the area of La Spezia are Portesone and Barbazzano, above Tellaro towards Ameglia that were also very important for the local economy, as evidenced by the ancient terraces in the large area surrounding them. The villages were also known for the skill of its sailors, who had the honor of accompanying the bishop of Luni in his sea voyages.
Barbazzano was probably the original center of Tellaro, the inhabitants had to abandon it due to an outbreak of plague in the sixteenth century. Today, unfortunately, there is no longer the gateway to the country, on which the legend says it had a sculpture in honor of the griffin that during an enemy attack pounced on the leader to kill him with his beak.
The village of Portesano is even more ancient (year 1000 up to 1300), in its structure it is one of the testimonies of life dedicated to sheep in ancient times of the whole area.
Sunday, May 22 you can visit the remains of the small villages, walking along with an experienced guide to discover the history of these places and the beautiful nature around them, along the path from the village of Tellaro rising among ancient olive trees and immersed in the scent of the Mediterranean maquis until you reach 115 meters above sea level.
Departure is from Piazza Figoli in Tellaro at 9:00 am, you reach Portesone at 10 and at 11 Barbazzano accompanied by Gino Cabano and Vittorio Fiore.
For information: 0187 964208