San Pietro in Porto Venere | Ligurian coast, Italy by Kilometer 120 | René Metzinger

High above the Ligurian Sea, the Church of San Pietro in Porto Venere stands on its striking rocky outcrop. Surrounded by steep cliffs and the deep blue of the Mediterranean, this spot is one of the most impressive backdrops on Italy’s Ligurian coast. The photograph was taken in the evening, when the light was already softening and the last warm hues of the day lay over the sea. I found the view from above particularly captivating: the old stone walls in the foreground draw the eye down towards the water and on to the rocky headland where San Pietro stands. The calm sea and the warm sky lend the rugged coastal landscape an almost peaceful atmosphere. It is precisely this contrast that makes the scene so special to me. Centuries-old walls and rugged cliffs meet the vastness and tranquillity of the Mediterranean. A view of Porto Venere where architecture and landscape almost merge.

As a large-format wall art piece, this photograph brings Mediterranean tranquillity and the Italian way of life into the room. The image looks particularly beautiful in a living room or dining area, as well as in cafés, Italian restaurants, hotels and holiday homes. Thanks to the natural stone colours, the blue-green of the water and the warm tones of the evening sky, the image can be combined with both modern and classic interiors.

For lovers of Italy, Liguria and the Mediterranean coast, this photograph captures a special evening overlooking the sea at Porto Venere.