We wake up to a magnificent view of Santa Margherita after anchoring in the harbour overnight
We go ashore this morning because Ric had made a physio appointment here in Santa Margherita, to hopefully easy the discomfort of his quite sore backClose to where we left the dinghy is a marble statue of Christopher Columbus (dated 1892) which stands on an ornate fountain overlooking the sea in the townAnother statue nearby is of a famous Italian, Vittorio Emanuele 11While Ric was at the physio, I take the opportunity to have a nice walk along the foreshoreWith the weather being so hot and humid today, the beaches along the foreshore were very crowded with holidaymakers and locals, enjoying the water and being by the seasideVery quaint and orderly change and storage rooms can be hired while visiting the beachUnfortunately most Italian beaches have rocks rather than sand to lie on!!There are some beautiful old villas in Santa MargheritaRic bought some wonderful biscotti in this old well established cake shop called ‘Panificio’ once back from the successful physio appointmentFabulous fruit and vegetables to take back to the boat from this wonderful shopWe visit the Catholic church, Santa Margherita d’Antiochia in Piazza CapreraThe very ornate interior of Santa Margherita d’AntiochiThe main large square called Piazza Caprera in Santa MargheritaTaking some narrow old streets around the port we arrive at the castleThe castle was built by the Republic of Genoa in 1550 as a defense against the increasing attacks of North African piratesGood views of the bay from the castleNearby is Convento Frati Cappuccini in Via Luciano ManaraThe simple interior of the old church, Convento Frati Cappuccini built between 1608 and 1611We take a walk down to the fishing port and marina of the town
Looking across the bay from the marinaThere are some very nice restaurants along the foreshore near the marinaOnce again we get our daily exercise climbing the many steps to another church high up on the hill of the town !!Looking back to a building with several windows actually painted on to the exterior walls
The most attractive Parrocchia San Giacomo Catholic church on Via S. Francesco D’AssisiBeside the church was an entrance to the Villa DurazzoVilla Durazzo was built in 1678 as a summer house for the wealthy Durazzo familyThe villa and it’s surrounding large gardens were sold to the Town Council of Santa Margherita in 1973 by the heirs of the old Chierichetti family, who bought the villa in 1919 and were responsible for establishing the beautiful gardens, as they are todayThe view is splendid from the beautiful grounds of the Durazzo Villa, which was a gift from the Council to the people of Santa Margherita Ligure and it’s visitorsThe Durazzo Villa’s gardens are open to the public and can be visited during opening times without any cost. We stumbled upon the gardens after visiting the church next doorThe Durazzo Villa has been restored and has been made into a museum of it’s history and also houses some other collections which can be visited. Functions and weddings can also be held in the amazing and beautiful villaWe walk through the extensive grounds (actually described as a park) which also has it’s own church. We then follow the winding tree lined road down into the town to the main entranceAll the summer sales were happening and after a little retail therapy we make our way back to our dinghyWe have some company on anchor near us in the port tonightAfter a great day seeing some of the sights of Santa Margherita, we make our way back to the TangaroaLooking over to the large hotels on the eastern side of the portAlthough we were planning to have dinner ashore tonight we decide to stay aboard and enjoy the great view of the lovely town of Santa MargheritaNight lights
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