View of San Pietro Church and Byron's Cove

The Church of San Pietro sits on the tip of Portovenere's promontory on what was once the site of a Temple to Venus (Venere in Italian), after whom Portovenere was named. The church originated as an early Christian building made of black marble dating from the 6th century. In the 13th century it was extended with a Gothic style addition and belltower. Around the church is a Romanesque loggetta with arches framing the coastline. Near the Church is Byron's Cove, a rocky area where the poet Byron used to swim.