portofino: HISTORY AND NOTABLE PEOPLE

History

According to Pliny the Elder, Portofino was founded by the Romans with the name of Portus Delphini because of the great number of dolphins that populated its sea.
During Longobardic domination the village was property of Bobbio Abbey of Saint Colombanus, while after 1229, together with all Tigullio Gulf coast, it became part of the Republic of Genoa.
Since late 19th century Portofino and its coast are devoted to tourism.

Notable People

Many historic notable people spent their time in Portofino.
We can remember French poet Guy de Maupassant that dedicated a panegyric to Portofino or the Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi, Sir Winston Churchill or Rainier III, Prince of Monaco and Princess Grace.
Starting from the 50s of 20th century a lot of Hollywood stars, famous actors and singers began to spend their holidays in Portofino: among others Rex Harrison, Rita Hayworth, Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, Vittorio Gassman, Marcello Mastroianni, Robert De Niro, Liza Minnelli, Alain Delon, George Clooney, Madonna, Peter Gabriel, Denzel Washington, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, Rod Stewart.

hotel

• Belmond Hotel Splendido
• Belmond Splendido Mare
• Eight Hotel Portofino

tourist services

• Marina di Portofino