Framura is a scattered Italian town of 638 inhabitants in the
province of La Spezia in Liguria. The municipal seat is located in
the hamlet of Setta. Located on the Ligurian coast, the small town
of Framura is located within one of the many inlets and coves,
typical of the indented coast of the eastern Ligurian Riviera. Mount
Serro (421 m aboce sea level) represents the highest peak in the
Framurese territory and belongs to the protected area of the Cinque
Terre.
Crossed by many small streams and rivers, the most
interesting is the Castagnola torrent which rises on the slopes of
Mount San Nicolao.
Neighborhoods
Framura, a scattered municipality, is made up of the
inhabited centers of Anzo, Castagnola, Costa, Ravecca, and Setta
(municipal seat).
Church of the Madonna della Neve (in Anzo). Already an ancient
chapel, it preserves various pictorial works such as the canvas of the
Madonna and Child with Saints John the Baptist and Sebastian, dating
back to the 17th century, a painting of Jesus Christ with Veronica,
dating back to the 18th century, and an oil on canvas portraying Christ
at the Column, from the sixteenth century and probably from the
pictorial school of Luca Cambiaso.
Parish church of San Lorenzo (in
Castagnola). It houses a Deposition of Jesus by the painter Luca
Cambiaso.
Parish Church of San Martino (in Costa). An ancient parish
church in the Framurese area, it was born as a monastic complex under
the abbey of San Colombano di Bobbio between the 10th and 11th
centuries. Mentioned for the first time in 1128, it is further
documented in 1192 as a parish church of the diocese of Genoa. Its
parochial jurisdiction included eleven parishes in today's towns of
Deiva Marina, Carrodano and Carro roughly corresponding to the ancient
Podesta office of Framura of the Republic of Genoa. The structure was
completely remodeled between the 15th and 16th centuries, however
retaining some elements of the first Romanesque-style building. In the
interventions the original octagonal pillars were remodeled and
externally there was a setback of the facade. In the 18th century the
choir was rebuilt.
The plan of the building is of the basilica type
and consists of three naves divided by octagonal pillars; the presbytery
is elliptical in shape. The exteriors were originally leaning against a
pre-existing watchtower dating back to the Carolingian era. Inside, in
addition to the ancient baptismal font in red Levanto marble, perhaps
dating back to the 10th or 11th century, there is a canvas by Bernardo
Strozzi, in the fourth altar of the left aisle, depicting the Madonna
del Rosario between Saints Domenico and Carlo . Tradition has it that
Ginetta Strozzi and her son Giovanni Giuseppino, the painter's sister
and niece, are portrayed on the faces of the Virgin and Child Jesus. And
still popular tradition attributes the initial destination for the
cathedral of San Lorenzo to the local Baroque marble pulpit.
Ancient
hospice (in Costa). According to a plaque placed on the facade of the
building, it was commissioned by Giuliano de Dugo and dates back to 27
December 1400.
9th century watchtower (in Costa). Military defense
construction from the Carolingian era.
Private chapel of Saints
Bernardo and Pasquale (in Ravecca).
Chapel of San Rocco (in Setta).
Decorated with late eighteenth-century finishes and stuccos, in
neoclassical style, it houses the painting of the Madonna and Child with
Saints Rocco and Nicola, a work that can be dated between the twelfth
and eighteenth centuries.
Watchtowers from the 16th century (at Anzo
and Setta). They date back to the Genoese domination.
March of the Three Towers. in June.
Voices of the sea and stars.
in July. music review
Feast of the Madonna della Neve (in
Porticciolo). the first Sunday of August.
Feast of San Rocco. on
August 16th.
Feast of Saint Lucia. Last Sunday of August. The feast,
which liturgically falls on December 13, was moved to the end of the
summer holidays at the beginning of the 20th century at the request of
vacationers who wanted to collect donations for asylum on the occasion.
Patronal feast of San Lorenzo (in Castagnola). August 10th.
Tourist
party. the last Saturday of August. Food and wine itinerary along the
hamlets of Costa, Setta, Ravecca, Anzo and Casella.
Framura Sub (Porticciolo Framura), ☎ +39 339 2937077
By plane
Cristoforo Colombo Airport in Genoa. It is connected to
the Genova Brignole railway station with the Volabus, a coach service
calibrated at national and international arrivals.
Direct flights:
Milan Malpensa, Turin, Cagliari, Naples, Palermo, Catania, Alghero,
Olbia, Trapani, Trieste, Rome Fiumicino. International flights: London
Stansted, Paris CDG, Cologne, Munich, Brussels, Amsterdam, Barcelona,
Istanbul. edit
Galileo Galilei Airport in Pisa. It is more convenient
to reach the Riviera di Levante, La Spezia or the Cinque Terre as it is
directly connected by train.
Bennati Maria Rosa Bakery, Localita' Setta 67, ☎ +39 0187 810142.
Enrica Gastronomy "Good Things", Localita Setta 93, ☎ +39 0187 810007.
Average prices
1 Silvia Hotel Restaurant, Costa, 5, ☎ +39 0187
810520.
2 Hotel Restaurant Meri, Loc. Costa 1, ☎ +39 0187 823086.
Average prices
1 Hotel Augusta, Località Anzo, 12, ☎ +39 0187
823026, info@hotelaugusta.net.
2 Perla del Levante Hostel, Via Ravecca 12, ☎ +39 0187 810225,
info@perladellevanteframura.it.
Pharmacy
Croci, Via Provinciale, 37 (in the locality of Setta), ☎
+39 0187 810006, settembrec@tiscali.it. Mon-Sat 8:30-12:30 and
16:30-19:30.
Framura is a small comune (municipality) in the Province of La
Spezia, Liguria region, northwestern Italy, situated on the Riviera di
Levante (eastern Ligurian coast). It lies approximately 50 km (31 mi)
southeast of Genoa and 25 km (16 mi) northwest of La Spezia, with
geographic coordinates around 44°13′N 9°33′E. The municipality spans
just 18.9 km² (7.3 sq mi) and is one of Italy’s classic “comuni sparsi”
— a scattered settlement made up of five distinct hamlets (frazioni):
Anzo (lowest and closest to the sea), Ravecca, Setta, Costa, and
Castagnola (highest, perched around 300 m / 984 ft above sea level).
It borders the municipalities of Bonassola (to the northwest), Deiva
Marina (to the southeast), Carrodano (inland), and Levanto (further
southeast and the gateway to the Cinque Terre). This places Framura in a
privileged transitional zone between the more famous Cinque Terre
National Park to the southeast and the quieter stretches of the Levante
coast.
Topography and Terrain
Framura sits where the Ligurian
Apennines (the northernmost extension of the Apennine chain) plunge
dramatically into the Ligurian Sea. The terrain is extremely steep and
rugged — typical of Liguria, where mountains and sea meet with almost no
flat coastal plain. Elevations within the comune range from sea level (0
m) at the rocky shoreline to a maximum of approximately 845 m (2,772 ft)
inland, with an average elevation around 290–291 m (955 ft). The hamlets
climb the slopes in a stepped, terraced pattern connected by ancient
stairways, mule tracks, and a modern pedestrian/cycle path (the
Maremonti route, built along a disused railway line).
The landscape
features sharp ridges, narrow valleys, and deeply incised gullies that
create a highly dissected relief. The hills are heavily terraced for
olive groves and vineyards, a hallmark of Ligurian agriculture that
prevents erosion on these precipitous slopes. Inland, the terrain
becomes wilder and more forested, transitioning into the protected hilly
hinterland that forms part of the broader Ligurian Apennine ecosystem.
Geologically, Framura lies within the Bracco-Levanto ophiolite complex
(Jurassic-age oceanic crust remnants). This produces distinctive rock
types including serpentinite, ophicalcite (the famous “Rosso Levanto”
red marble historically quarried here), pillow basalts, and gabbros.
These contribute to the coast’s dramatic red-tinged cliffs and varied
rock textures, which create striking visual contrasts against the blue
sea.
Coastline and Marine Features
The coastline is indented
and predominantly rocky, with high cliffs, small coves, and pocket
beaches — classic Riviera di Levante scenery but on a more intimate
scale than the Cinque Terre. Key features include:
Torsei Beach —
right below the Framura train station.
Vallà Beach — a rare sandy
pocket amid otherwise gravel and rock.
Arena Beach — the widest and
most accessible, pebbly with views across the bay.
Porto Pidocchio —
a scenic cove with dramatic rock faces (popular for climbing).
A
tiny harbor at Anzo serves small boats, while the surrounding seabed is
famous among divers for numerous historic wrecks. The combination of
coastline shape and prevailing winds creates excellent conditions for
wave watching and occasional surfing, with high, photogenic winter
storms. Reddish rocks glow dramatically at sunset, and the clear waters
reflect the overhanging cliffs and hamlets.
The coast is dotted with
historic watchtowers built to defend against medieval pirate raids,
perched on prominent rocky outcrops.
Vegetation and Natural
Environment
Vegetation reflects the Mediterranean climate and steep
topography:
Coastal rocks → Aleppo pines (Pinus halepensis) and
sparse maquis shrubland.
Northern hillsides → holm oaks (Quercus
ilex), chestnut trees, cluster pines, and broadleaf woodlands.
Terraced slopes → olive groves and vineyards producing local wines and
oil.
Much of the area is protected under Natura 2000 sites of
community interest (SIC). Nearby Monte Serro (421 m / 1,381 ft), between
Framura and Deiva Marina, is part of the Cinque Terre protected area and
adds to the biodiversity. The hinterland features scattered farmhouses
amid green hills, offering a quieter, more authentic contrast to the
busier neighboring destinations.
Climate
Framura has a
warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb), moderated by the Ligurian Sea
and the sheltering Apennine ridges. Summers are short, warm, and humid
(average highs around 25–27 °C / 77–81 °F in July–August, lows ~20 °C /
68 °F), with mostly clear skies but occasional humidity. Winters are
long, mild, and wetter (daytime highs around 11–13 °C / 52–55 °F in
January–February, nighttime lows ~6 °C / 43 °F). Annual rainfall totals
approximately 1,400 mm (55 in), concentrated in autumn and winter
(November is the wettest month), with orographic lift from the mountains
enhancing precipitation. The area enjoys high sunshine hours in summer
(July averages over 10 hours/day) and relatively stable sea temperatures
(around 15–24 °C / 59–75 °F seasonally). Strong winds can generate
impressive waves along the exposed coast.
Pre-Roman and Ancient Origins (3rd century BC–5th century AD)
Archaeological evidence shows human presence dating back to
pre-Roman Ligurian times. Materials found at Monte Castellaro di
Vigo indicate a Ligurian castellare (hill fort) from the 3rd century
BC. During the Roman era, the territory hosted a pagus (rural
district), likely tied to the Via Aurelia coastal route. Some
etymological theories (though suggestive rather than proven) link
the name “Framura” to a possible Roman posting station or to
defensive walls (“infra murle”). The rugged terrain and natural
harbors made it strategically useful even then.
Early Middle
Ages: Byzantine, Lombard, and Frankish Rule (6th–9th centuries)
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Framura passed under
Byzantine control before becoming part of the Lombard Kingdom.
Following the Lombard collapse in the late 8th century, the Franks
(Carolingian Empire) took over. This era left a tangible legacy: the
Carolingian watchtower in Costa, now the bell tower of the Church of
San Martino—one of the oldest structures still visible.
Feudal Era and the Da Passano Lords (9th–13th centuries)
By the
late High Middle Ages, the territory became a fief of the noble Da
Passano family, originally from nearby Passano (near Deiva Marina).
They consolidated control over the coastal and inland areas from
Levanto to Moneglia and built or strengthened 9th-century
fortifications. The family’s influence peaked in the 11th–13th
centuries; they signed treaties with Genoa granting privileges and
tax exemptions (1139–1247).
A pivotal moment came in 1170 (or
1173 per some accounts): the powerful Fieschi counts of Lavagna
seized the Da Passano castle of Frascario. After prolonged disputes,
the castle returned to Genoese control. The Da Passano possessions
later fell under the administration of the Malaspina marquises. The
ruins of this castle and related fortifications still mark the
landscape.
The Church of San Martino in Costa provides another
key anchor: first documented in 1128 (likely founded by monks from
San Colombano di Bobbio in the 10th–11th centuries), it belonged to
the Diocese of Genoa by 1192. It was later rebuilt in the 15th–16th
centuries and houses important artworks, including a 16th-century
painting from the school of Luca Cambiaso and a 17th-century
altarpiece of the Madonna del Rosario by Bernardo Strozzi.
Genoese Republic and Maritime Defenses (12th–18th centuries)
In
the 12th century, the expanding Republic of Genoa incorporated
Framura into its eastern Ligurian territories, forming the
podesteria (administrative district) of Framura. This included
nearby areas like Passano and Piazza (now part of Deiva Marina) and
later merged into the Moneglia podesteria within the Capitaneato of
Levanto. Genoa’s rule brought relative stability and economic ties
to maritime trade, but the exposed Tyrrhenian coast faced repeated
raids by Saracen (Islamic) pirates and Turkish forces—common across
Liguria. To counter this, Genoa built or reinforced three coastal
watchtowers in the 16th century, located in Anzo, Setta, and Costa.
These towers remain iconic symbols of Genoese domination and
medieval defense.
In 1680, Genoa abolished Framura’s independent
podestà and placed it under Moneglia’s administration, reflecting
shifting internal governance.
Napoleonic Period and Italian
Unification (1797–1861)
The Republic of Genoa fell in 1797 during
the Napoleonic Wars. Framura became part of the short-lived Ligurian
Republic and then the French Empire (Department of the Apennines,
1805–1814). After Napoleon’s defeat, the 1815 Congress of Vienna
assigned it to the Kingdom of Sardinia (Province of Levante). In
1861, with Italian unification, it entered the Kingdom of Italy.
Administratively, it was part of the Levante district (initially
under Genoa province, then La Spezia after 1923).
20th
Century and World War II
Framura remained a quiet agricultural
and fishing community until World War II brought international
attention. In 1944, U.S. OSS (Office of Strategic Services)
conducted Operations Ginny I and II—15-man missions aimed at
sabotaging a key railway tunnel between Framura and Bonassola to
disrupt German supply lines. Both missions failed due to
navigational errors and bad weather. The soldiers from Ginny II were
captured, executed by the German Army, and buried in a mass grave
(later honored with memorials). This episode is one of the few
well-documented modern events tied specifically to Framura.
Post-war, Framura experienced gradual depopulation (common in rural
Liguria) but preserved its medieval character. From 1973 to 2008 it
belonged to the Comunità Montana della Riviera Spezzina, and from
2014 to 2019 it joined the Unione dei Comuni Cinque Terre-Riviera.
Today it is celebrated as one of Italy’s “most beautiful villages”
(Borghi più belli d’Italia) for its unspoiled hamlets, staircased
paths, hidden coves, and Genoese towers—offering a quieter
alternative to the crowded Cinque Terre.