| Page Views: 2,849 Last Visit to Porto Ercole: September, 2007 | Porto Ercole competes with Porto Santo Stefano. by breughel - last update: Nov 19, 2007 |
Porto Ercole, on the south-east side of the Argentario peninsula, competes with Porto Santo Stefano on the opposite side of the mountain.
When I discovered this harbour and bay, thirty years ago, I found it a very picturesque and authentic place which I preferred to Porto Santo Stefano. My recent visit made me change my opinion. A marina has now invaded all the harbour leaving no room for the water. From the walk along the sea one sees mainly a huge parking for all types of boats.
Fortunately the hills with the Spanish fortresses, the old town "Borgo Antico" with the church of San Erasmo compensate for the unaesthetic invasion by the marina.
Of course this is a subjective appreciation based on a comparison between the 1970-80s and now.
But I'm not the only one to criticise this transformation of Porto Ercole in a huge marina.
In 2004 a number of environmental associations denounced this transformation under the terms of: "Porto-garage a Port'Ercole"
"Si vuol fare di Porto Ercole un Porto-Garage occupando quanto più possibile dell’area portuale....
Una presenza locale che si vedrà privata non solo delle caratteristiche paesaggistiche, storiche e ambientali dell’attuale Porto Rifugio e dello storico borgo marinaro..."
Nevertheless I'm sure that new comers will like Porto Ercole; it is still so much better than many other sea places.
Porto Ercole, sur la côte sud de la péninsule de l'Argentario, est concurrente de Porto Santo Stefano de l'autre côté de la montagne.
Lorsque j'ai découvert cette baie et son port, il y a une trentaine d'années, je l'ai trouvée très pittoresque et authentique et je la préférais à Porto Santo Stefano.
Ma récente visite m'a fait changer d'opinion. Une marina a envahi la baie et le port ne laissant quasiment plus de plus place pour l'eau. De la promenade le long de la mer on ne voit plus qu'un immense parking à bateaux de toutes sortes. La demande d'emplacements par les amateurs de nautisme est forte et je suppose que la location de ces emplacements rapporte plus à la commune de Porto Ercole que les voyageurs de passage.
Porto Santo Stefano quant à elle offre encore une vue dégagée sur sa baie ce qui fait que aujourd'hui je la préfère à Porto Ercole qui a trop sacrifié au nautisme.
Heureusement il y a les collines avec les forteresses Espagnoles et le vieux bourg avec l'église San Erasmo pour compenser de l'invasion inesthétique de la marina. Néanmoins pour le touriste d'aujourd'hui Porto Ercole présente de nombreux attraits par rapport à tant d'autres endroits au bord de mer. |
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breughel's Porto Ercole Travel Tips
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Tips: 6 - Photos: 12 | | | | Restaurants | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | | Transportation | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | Sports Travel
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 Comments for breughel about Porto Ercole | | | | |
icunme Tue Aug 4, 2009 09:11 UTC
Adds up to the perfect road trip with Santo Stefano! | angiebabe Tue Jul 28, 2009 19:53 UTC
very enticing with 3 fortresses....and interesting about Caravaggio | Nemorino Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:36 UTC
Lovely place. No wonder all those boat owners want to dock there. Since I am not a boater, I think I would like the Fortress "La Rocca" the best. | LoriPori Mon Dec 3, 2007 12:00 UTC
Even with its overcrowded marina, I know I would love visiting this place, with its Spanish fortresses and coastal areas. |
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