National Park of The Cinque Terre
THE CINQUE TERRE
"Hidden Gems on the Italian Riviera", Los Angeles Times
It you are not really keen on visiting art cities there are five tiny villages set like precious stones on the Ligurian coast known with the name of Cinque Terre and famous to have probably the most romantic and beautiful landscapes you will ever seen.
Cinque Terre is nothing but an uneven portion of coast (precisely 10 miles of rocky coastline) on the "Costa del Levante" where the Ligurian people have carefully and patiently built over centuries beautiful terraces on the rough, steep landscape right up to the cliff that overlooks the Ligurian gulf. Some of its charm is due to the lack of modernity as they remained unreachable until almost one hundred years ago when the railway line was built. Nowadays the coast is reachable through paths, trains and boats while visitors' cars are not allowed.
The villages comprises in the Cinque Terre from north to south are: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Menarola Corniglia and both the villages and their surrounding coastlines are part of the Cinque Terre National Park and in its whole it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since 1926 the Cinque Terre villages are part of the province of La Spezia.
The Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre was created by the Italian Ministry for the Environment in 1997 to protect the Natural environment (both Earthly and Marine), to conserve the ecological balance, safeguard the landscape and to promote a socio-economical development compatible with the natural landscape of the area.
The suggestive and unique coasts falling perpendicular to the sea their cliffs, small creeks and enchanting little bays among rocks have made this territory a real Natural "work of art".
VERNAZZA
This is probably the most picturesque village of Cinque Terre thanks to its enchanting natural pier with an amphitheatre shape.
Vernazza was a Roman settlement and became strategically important during the age of the Maritime Republics in Genoa. It was also famous for its carpenters.
We suggest a walk in the village that is dominated by a watch tower and the castle ruins. In the small square, overlooking the seaside, the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia worth a visit.
CORNIGLIA
Placed on a steep promontory, is the only village of Cinque Terre that
is not directly adjoining the coastline of the Ligurian Sea. Corniglia
can be reached from the railway through a long flight of four hundred
steps leading to the village as it is situated at approximately one
hundred meters on the top of the cliff. An elevator has been recently
built!
Its houses are not typical costal houses but they are quite low and spacious as those the hinterland, evidence that the village has always been more inclined towards the land rather than the sea.
Its houses are not typical costal houses but they are quite low and spacious as those the hinterland, evidence that the village has always been more inclined towards the land rather than the sea.
The most important monument of the village is the Church of San Pietro (St. Peter) which is considered one of the most significant monuments in the gothic-Genovese style of the Cinque Terre and it was built around the year 1340 on the ruins of the previous building.
Also interesting are l'Oratorio dei Disciplinati (Oratory of the Disciplined), dating back to 1700 and the Belvedere, an enchanting terrace on the seaside from which a breathtaking view of the sea will make you feel all the essence of this marvelous land.
MANAROLA
Founded during the 12th century, the village probably got its name from
an antique mill wheel present in the village called "magna roea". The
village is today surrounded by an expanse of vines along a stream. Its
wine is quite famous as well as the "path of love" (Via dell'Amore), a
paved path two kilometers long that connects Manarola with
Riomaggiore.
In the upper side of the village, we suggest you a quick visit to thechurch of San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence church) built in 1338.
RIOMAGGIORE
Riomaggiore is the most
eastern and closest to La Spezia and got its name from the stream
crossing it. The town was first documented quite late in 1251 and it
boasts monuments of great relevance as the church consecrated to St.
John Baptist erected in 1340 and the Oratory of St. Mary Assumption
which holds a triptych of the 15th century and a wooden statue of 1300
representing the Virgin Mary.
There is a path you can take from Riomaggiore that leads you up to the top of the promontory where the Santuario of "Madonna di Montenero" stands out. The promontory is also the last of the Cinque Terre gulf and the view from here is spectacular.
There is a path you can take from Riomaggiore that leads you up to the top of the promontory where the Santuario of "Madonna di Montenero" stands out. The promontory is also the last of the Cinque Terre gulf and the view from here is spectacular.
MONTEROSSO AL MARE
Monterosso is the only village
in Cinque Terre having sandy beaches and the most wine shops,
handicraft shops, hotels and restaurants.
Quite easy to reach as it offers a big parking close to the beach in case you are driving your car it is even the the first of the five villages that you will reach arriving by train.
Monterosso al Mare was first documented in 1056 and it is rich in history as mush as in monuments and buildings. We suggest to visit the 14th century church of St. John the Baptist (Chieda si San Giovanni Battista) the ruins of the medieval Palazzo del Podestà and the church of Capuchin Father, from which you can admire a wonderful vista of the village and the promontories enclosing the Cinque Terre.
Quite easy to reach as it offers a big parking close to the beach in case you are driving your car it is even the the first of the five villages that you will reach arriving by train.
Monterosso al Mare was first documented in 1056 and it is rich in history as mush as in monuments and buildings. We suggest to visit the 14th century church of St. John the Baptist (Chieda si San Giovanni Battista) the ruins of the medieval Palazzo del Podestà and the church of Capuchin Father, from which you can admire a wonderful vista of the village and the promontories enclosing the Cinque Terre.