In medieval times, the name “terra” (land) meant village. From this
origin comes the name Cinque Terre (five villages). Having rounded Punta
Mesco, coming from Genoa, the first village is Monterosso al Mare, the
only one with a large beach and promenade connecting its historical
center to the new Fegina quarter.
The town of Monterosso is divided into two distinct parts: the old
town and the new town. The two areas are connected by a single tunnel that
caters to pedestrians and the very few cars in the town.
Monterosso is a small town that in the summer months
is overrun by tourists.
The area is famous for it's many lemon trees that can
be seen throughout Monterosso. It is also renowned for it's white wines,
grapes, and olives.
Vernazza
Vernazza, located at the mouth of a river, is
naturally protected from the threat of the sea by a rocky promontory and
it has always been the only safe landing point in the Cinque Terre.
Vernazza has no car traffic and remains one of the truest "fishing
villages" on the Italian Riviera.
Historically, many of the villages on the Mediterranean were walled to
protect against attacks from the sea. This area of the coast was often
attacked by Muslim pirates and Vikings. Viking influence can still be
seen in the occasional fair-skinned, red-headed children of the native
villagers in the region.
Vernazza has the only proper harbor in the Cinque
Terre. It was founded about 1000 A.D. and was ruled by the Republic of
Genoa starting in 1276. Vernazza's medieval castle, Belforte, was built
in the mid-1500's, primarily to protect the village from the Pirates.
Vernazza's historic wealth is evidenced by the elegant
style of its houses and streets, which are decorated with tower forms,
open galleries, refined arcades and elaborate doorways. The Village is
surrounded by very steeply-terraced Olive groves which are said to
produce among the finest Olive oil in Italy.
The cobble stone main street from the station to the Harbor is
classically beautiful, lined with colorful buildings that house small
shops, cafes, and residences.
The town itself is very small and only accessible on foot.
Not to be missed is the first part of the hike
southeast from Vernazza to Corniglia.
This hike literally offers postcard views (like the photo above) of the
town, the castle, and more. The trail starts just above the train
station (it is well marked). The most amazing views are within the first
10 minutes of walking from the station as the trail wraps around the
watchtower of Veranzza's castle. You will definitely want your camera.
Corniglia is a frazione (fraction)
of the commune of Vernazza . Differently from the other localities of
the Cinque Terre, Corniglia does not directly look upon the sea but raises
on the top of a promontory about 100 meters high, surrounded on three
sides by vineyards and terraces and the fourth side descends steeply on
the sea.
To reach Corniglia, it is necessary to climb the Lardarina, a
long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 377 steps or,
otherwise follow a vehicular road that, from the train station, leads to
the village.
The village of Corniglia stretches along the main road, Fieschi
Road, and the houses have one side facing this road and the other facing
the sea. Corniglia is characterized by narrow roads and a terrace
obtained in the rock from which all other four Cinque Terre's villages,
two on one side and two on the other, can be seen. The town planning
structure presents also original characteristics compared to those of
the other villages: the houses are set lower, and only more recently
higher, similar to those of the villages of the hinterland.
Corniglia is mentioned in a famous novella of Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron.
Manarola and Riomaggiore, clinging to the rock face, with their houses
piled up in a multi-colored mosaic overlooking the sea, are the most
typical and unspoiled villages of the five.
Manarola may be the oldest of the cities in the Cinque
Terre, with the cornerstone of the church, San Lorenzo, dating from
1160. The local dialect is Manarolese, which is marginally different
from the dialects in the nearby area.
Manarola's primary industries have traditionally been
fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called Sciacchetra', is
especially renowned; references from Roman writings mention the high
quality of the wine produced in the region. Tourist attractions in the
region include the famous walking trail between Manarola and Riomaggiore
(called Via dell'Amore, "Love's Trail") and hiking trails in the
hills and vineyards above the town.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore, dating from the
early 13th century, is known for its historic character and its wine,
produced by the town's vineyards. Riomaggiore has a small beach and a
wharf framed by tower houses, and one or two roads where people go and
hang out, but most of the life at night can be found at the Bar Centrale.
Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the
five Cinque Terre,
Without doubt, the best way to discover, to try and understand and enjoy
the Cinque Terre is to visit it on foot. Along the paths and the
centuries old flights of steps, which up to a short while ago were the
only communication routes between the five villages, you come under the
magic of this landscape and its panoramas suspended between sky and sea.
The terraced vineyards alternate with strips of olive trees and where
man has abandoned the soil, the Mediterranean bush has taken over again,
with round euphorbia bushes, broom, white and pink cystus and the agaves
that dot the landscape and heady, spicy perfume of the eternal flower.
The most famous path of the Cinque Terre is the “Via
dell’Amore”, connecting Manarola to Riomaggiore and partially cut out of
the steep cliffs overlooking the sea.
ACCOMODATIONS Do not expect to find fancy resorts in the Cinque Terre, but a few
small hotels, and many rooms for rent will put you more in touch with
the villages themselves, and with their residents.
