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Over the centuries, through constant collective work, man has managed to create this landscape, the only one of its kind in the world: the Cinque Terre.
A little corner of Liguria where generations have worked to create this monument in landscape architecture represented by the steep terraces sloping down to the sea.
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 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. High cliffs reaching down into the cobalt blue depths of the sea hide minute shingle beaches at Riomaggiore and Vernazza or tiny “ports” like at Manarola, for pulling up the boats when the sea is rough. 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 centre to the new Fegina quarter. 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. Corniglia, the only village not on the sea, but nestling on a hill surrounded by vineyards, has its own sweetly countrified appeal. Manarola and Riomaggiore, clinging to the rock face, with their houses piled up in a multi-coloured mosaic overlooking the sea, are the most typical and unspoilt villages of the five. |
