A territory in which sea and land are founded
forming a unique and evocative area.
18 kilometres of rocky coastline abounding with abundant bays, beaches and deep sea, surrounded by mountains running parrellel to the coast.
Terracings cultivated with vineyards and olives, kept under control by old dry stone walls. A naturalistic heritage of great variety. Paths and mule tracks look onto breathtaking views. Five villages, Riomaggiore, Manarola, Coniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso face onto the sea.
An environment in which centuries old work of generations has transformed an inaccessable territory into a landscape of extraordinary beauty.
A Protected Marine Area and a National Park which protect the absolute uniqueness. In synthesy the “Cinque Terre” has been declared a World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO since 1997.
INTRODUCING
The Villages
From west to east the villages of the Cinque Terre are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Of these Monterosso, Vernazza and Riomaggiore are municipalities, whilst Corniglia and Manarola are hamlets, respectively, of Vernazza and Riomaggiore.
Five villages facing the coast (with the exception of Corniglia) having typical Ligurian style houses with the outsides painted in different pastel colours. Behind the houses the hills are cultivated with vineyards and olives, covered with paths which link the respective santuari (Sanctuaries) situated halfway up the hills. Five villages still difficult to reach even today, except by train, because of the winding roads and because the Sentiero Azzurro (blue path) which links them is reserved for hill walkers. Difficult to access, which, nevertheless, still today is a more certain guarantee for preserving one of the most unique territories in the world.
ALL ABOUT THE CINQUE TERRE
History, nature, cuisine and sport
What do we know about the origins of this very special place?
The history of these seaboard townships begins in the eleventh century at the latest. Responding both to the call of the sea and to the need to defend their lands, the inhabitants of these five settlements erected towers, while planting vineyards and olive groves on these steep slopes. This challenging and demanding terrain has been transformed into a perfect ‘oasis’ of biodiversity. With the passing of time, the sea and land have produced unique foods and extraordinary wines – all part of the traditions that we are so keen to share with visitors!
Not a single attraction can be found here that hasn’t a long story to tell, whether it’s just a narrow carrugo (alleyway), the blue waters of the sea before us, or our delicious local dishes…
