Immersed in the greenery and scents of the Mediterranean vegetation of the mountain of Portofino, the gaze is lost on the horizon here in La Cervara. The first inhabitants of the place were a few Benedictine monks who in 1361 founded a monastery dedicated to St. Jerome. What was once the garden of the monks, is today the only Italian Garden in Liguria overlooking the sea and covering 3000m² on two levels. The suggestion, for those arriving in this corner of paradise, is great. The echoes of the past, the voices of the centuries, seem to resonate between the halls and the flowering avenues of the abbey. The plants leaning against the walls or arranged along the borders are an integral part of the design of the Monumental Garden, as well as the vines of the ancient pergolas. In the flowerbeds, there are several floral species that alternate with colorful foliage plants, to ensure blooms throughout the year.

The blooms of the wisteria plurisecolare and of the rincospermo (or false jasmine) are of particular relevance because it forms a very scenic pergola. In the “Giardino dei Semplici“, aromatic herbs alternate with a collection of rare potted citrus fruits. The cedar bread, the twisted lemon, the Florentine lemon, the bergamot, the chinotto, the bitter orange, the grapefruit, the variegated calamondino, the “hands of Buddha” are just some of the specimens that represent a small Garden of the Hesperides. Exotic and rare species can be observed as an over a hundred year old pepper plant, pink capers and coral tree. The strategic position makes it the ideal place to celebrate exclusive events or meetings that simply impose privacy and concentration. Event guests have an extra privilege: stop in one of the rooms in the main body of the Abbey and in the ancient Saracen Tower.

Services: guided tours on reservation (also in foreign languages) every day of the year for groups of at least 30 people, specialized educational workshops, possibility to combine group visits with a buffet lunch at € 55 per person or a cocktail at € 22 per person, 11 rooms but available only for those who take the property in exclusive, location events, weddings ceremony, photo shoot.

Openings:

• WINTER Groups and private visits by appointment from 9.00 to 17.00;
• SUMMER From March to October, guided tours on the first and third Sunday of the month (10.00, 11.00 and 12.00), groups and private tours from approximately 9.00 to 17.00.

Tickets: full price ticket € 12, reduced € 10, free for children under 14 accompanied by at least one adult, € 10 over 65, FAI, TCI, € 160 visits for schools for about 40 students, groups of 30 people with booking € 300 (€ 1 per person), private tours on reservation € 20.

Contacts:

Lungomare Rossetti – Via Cervara, 10
16038 Santa Margherita Ligure (GE)
Tel: +39 0185 293 139

visite@cervara.it
www.cervara.it