Why has the farm inn been called “Locanda del Papa”? Everyone from time immemorial has always added to the component names of my family the surname “of the Pope.” When I was very young and handsome I asked myself and others why this name? I asked my parents, grandparents, uncles, and everyone gave me a different explanation. Maybe it was to distinguish us from others who had the same last name, but in the end I came to believe the story I will now tell you. Once upon a time whoever came from the South and thus also from Rome, in order to reach Genoa had no other way but the ancient Via Aurelia, that passed by then as now the places where we have always lived. It is told that one day the Pope and his entourage was traveling along this road headed toward Genoa and perhaps Avignon. Well, at a certain point, perhaps to stock up on water and let the horses drink, he stopped at a fountain that gushes naturally from a knoll that belonged to my family. The fountain still exists today and is the delight of cyclists before facing the ascents of the Foce. Since that time to my family name another was added: family of the Pope, precisely.

CODICE CITR: 011015-AGR-0003 It was an ancient share cropping farm of 1600, totally renovated in 2005. Today it comprises 25 magnificent acres of land and woods. There are available two rooms with queen-sized beds. In the largest rooms extra bed may be added. Both rooms have private bath and internet wi-fi. In winter the rooms are heated from a central furnace assuring the maximum comfort and in the largest rooms there are also wood stoves with visible flames. In the summer there is no need of air conditioning. Nature provides it with its cool evening breeze. There is no problem with parking, since the property is totally enclosed and the access road is entered through a gate. Check-in: from 12.00 to 20.30

I know that many of you wish to visit the Cinque Terre. Well, this is a very good place. We are just 3,5 miles from the La Spezia RR Station and the train is the best means of reaching the Cinque Terre (it takes 8 minutes to Riomaggiore and the Via dell'Amore (Lovers Lane). We are also 4 miles from the embarkation point of the passenger boats that in the summer visit all the towns along the Gulf of Poets and the Cinque Terre. For those who love to walk, path no. 501 of the Cinque Terre begins at our door. The city bus stop is 1500 feet from our House and the La Spezia RR Station only minutes away (busses run every 40-50 minutes). By car you can reach many places. We are 15 km from Monterosso and 20 km from Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre. La Spezia is very close with its famous naval museum and civic museum Amedeo Lia. Portovenere, designated by UNESCO in 1997 a World Heritage Site, is only 16 km away from our House. Lerici, with its enchanted bay and its beaches certified “Bandiera Blu” (Blue Flag) for their cleanliness is only 12 km away. Tellaro, designated one of the 100 most beautiful small towns of Italy is 4 km from Lerici. It is a walled town dating to 1300.