After the unimpressive island of Capri, we did not expect much of the
small island of Venotene. They main reason we decided to stop there,
is that is was located at a convenient distance on our way to
Sardinia. However, Venotene managed to impress. According to the
notes there is supposed to be a free town key. As the weather was
quite calm, we decided to anchor off the old Roman port instead. We
took the little SaltyPaws into the old Roman harbor, and tied off to
a bollard installed by the Romans themselves. Looking at the remains
of the ancients is one thing, but sailing into their port, and tying
off to an original bollard is like being part of the ancients. What
was good enough for the Romans, is actually still good enough for the
locals, and yachties that park their boats into the old Roman harbor
every day.
And it does not stop there. At the quay, there were many shops, that
where dug out of the stones. Doorways and windows where hewn directly
into the stone. They where protected from the sun, by an arcade, also
hewn out of the rocks. You can almost see the Romans walk about at
this place.
And Venotene had even more to offer. When walking up the steep steps
towards the main square, we had a magnificent view over SaltyPaws,
and the adjacent island housing a fortress. The main square is quite
pleasant, with a massive town hall. There was also a little square
with really chilled out looking coffee stops. The supermarket had a
large assortment of fresh wine, and other products.
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