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This
is the largest municipality on the eastern side of the Gulf of La Spezia.
Of Etruscan origin and an important port in Roman times, it was for long
an object of contention between Genoa and Pisa during the Middle Ages. In
1241, it was occupied by the Pisans, who built the castle that was later
extended and reinforced by the Genoese. The large aristocratic villas were
built between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The town later
developed as a tourist centre. Almost a continuation of neighbouring San
Terenzo to the west, it is separated to the east from Tellaro by rocks and
beaches. The territory extends out to the Magra Valley and takes in part
of Montemarcello natural park, arriving as far as Senato on the River
Magra. Locations on the high points, such as La Serra, Pugliola, Solaro
and Pozzuolo, offer fine panoramic views and are of great historical
interest.
The second-century chapel of Sant'Anastasia lies inside Lerici Castle,
which has imposing walls and pentagonal towers. It has recently undergone
restoration and will eventually house a museum of palaeontology, while San
Terenzo Castle is to house a multimedia centre dedicated to the Shelleys,
the English writers who stayed at Villa Magni.
The parish church of San Francesco in Lerici dates from the twelfth
century: it preserves many works from the Genoese school, while the nearby
oratory of San Bernardino contains a Madonna with child by Domenico
Fiasella. Between Lerici and Tellaro lie La Cala, where you can see the
wreck of a Roman cargo ship on the sea bed, Maralunga, with its
nineteenth-century coastal fortifications, and Fiascherino, a bay
surrounded by Mediterranean maquis vegetation. On the high ground, you can
see the ruins of Barbazzano, known for its marine supplies in mediaeval
times. Tellaro is extremely characteristic, with its little streets
winding down into the town square and the church of San Giorgio
overlooking the sea. The oratory of Santa Maria in Selaa, which was
originally a fortification, is due to become a museum. The Venere Azzurra
multi-purpose complex has two swimming pools (one of which is an Olympic
facility) as well as facilities for tennis, golf and archery. The tourist
port can berth up to 2000 boats. Villa Marigola once hosted the Empress of
Germany and Sem Benelli (who wrote his "Cena delle beffe" while
staying here) and is today an important conference centre.
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