Portofino, Italy

In Today's Daily Jigsaw Puzzle, we get to enjoy this sight: Clinging to the cliffs along Via Duca degli Abruzzi, the villas in this image capture the layered story of Portofino - a once-quiet fishing village turned symbol of Mediterranean elegance ♥

Overlooking the Ligurian Sea, these opulent residences, with their pastel facades and arched terraces, reflect the area's natural beauty and evolution into an exclusive retreat. Among them is Villa Altachiara, built in the late 19th century by a wealthy European family and later owned by various aristocrats, contributing to the area's mystique.

Portofino's origins stretch back to Roman times, when it was known as Portus Delphini, likely in reference to the dolphins that frequent the bay. It remained a small harbor under Genoese and Sardinian control for centuries, sustained by fishing and maritime trade. In the 19th and 20th centuries, its serene landscape began attracting European nobility and, later, the international jet set.

Today, Portofino is prized for its glamour and historical charm, seen in landmarks like the 12th-century Church of St. Martin and the ancient Castello Brown. While these grand villas are private residences, their presence along the cliffside path offers a lasting glimpse of the quiet grandeur that continues to define Portofino ♥