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ALONG THE PATHS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN BUSH 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. THE ROCKY SEA OF THE CINQUE TERRE The inhabitants of these places had agricultural origins and lived on the hills. They came down to the coast, once the Saracens had finished invading, when the sea became safe and populated the villages at the mouths of the rivers along the shore. CinqueTerre landscape is harsh and wild and even the coast reflects this nature. 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. Here, in summer, sunbathers mix with fishermen. Between Vernazza and Corniglia there is the romantic beach of Guvano, to be reached on foot. A larger sandy beach, with facilities, can be found only at Monterosso al Mare. -THE VILLAGES In medieval times, the name "terra" (land) meant village. From this origin comes the name CinqueTerre (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 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 CinqueTerre. 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. ROMANESQUE CHURCHES AND SHRINES CinqueTerre's monumental wealth is expressed in its late Romanesque churches. Three have facades with beautiful rosettes, real stone flowers; San Pietro in Corniglia, probable the most ancient, San Lorenzo in Manarola dominating the village and San Giovann Battista in Monterosso with its Genoese facade in black and white stripes. The two 14th Century side portals on the Riomaggiore church are also worthy of note. The church ir Vernazza, the only one built on the sea in the protected inlet of the port, has a fascinating octagonal bell tower. The ancient shrines built on the winding hill road have a wonderfully panoramic position, one for each village. Overlooking Monterosso there is N.S. di Soviore with its annexed lodge. Then there is the Madonna di Reggio above Vernazza, Sar Bernardino that overlooks Corniglia, the ancient Romanesque church of the Madonnc della Salute above Manarola and the Madonna di Montenero at the top of Riomaggiore -WINES, HARVESTING AND GASTRONOMY The Cinque Terre, apart from its characteristic landscape, is also famous for the DOC wines produced here. The terraced vineyards, which in the months of September are full of men and women using headbands to carry baskets overflowing with golden grapes, offer a dry white and Sciachetra, a rare precious raisin wine. Only selected grapes, after drying in airy attics away from the damp and the sunlight, will be ready for the production of this famous sweet wine. The cuisine of these places hands down old recipes through generations and the herbs, which grow wild, enhance the basic flavours; it is possible to taste pies made with rice and vegetables, with courgettes, silver beet, borage and wild salad leaves. Without doubt however, the sea plays the main role at the table, with a wide choice of fresh fish. In summer there is the wealth and the goodness of Monterosso anchovies caught using special fishing lights to attract the fish. EVENTS AND RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS Festa dell'Assunta at the Santuario di Soviore, Corpus Domini flower adorning in Monterosso, Lemon festival in Monterosso, San Lorenzo festival in Manarola with a procession, part of the route by boat from Palaedo to the seafront, Madonna della Salute Festival in Volastra, Madonna di Montenero Festival, the illuminated Nativity at Manarola, the big murales of Silvio Benedetto in Riomaggiore and Vernazza nilway stations CINQUETERRE NATIONAL PARK Cinque Tern Protected Marine Area The Cinque Terre National Park is the first Italian park created to safeguard a landsca^ that has been mostly built by man. To achieve its objectives, the Park Organisatic encourages the development of responsible tourism, able therefore to invest in tl-identity of the places and the territory's products, and thus save its immense heritaj of terracing, now endangered. But not only. The natural elements that are so evidei along the paths, are to be promoted (especially the Mediterranean bush and bee specie in the Torre Guardiola Naturalistic Observation Centre. The Protected Marine Area ah protects and reveals submerged environments, in particular those corresponding to tr two main promontories, Capo di Monte Nero and Punta Mesco, which are still horr to important sections of rocky seabed. The reserve promotes guided immersions ar discovery activities into the forms of marine life for children |
A MAN MADE LANDSCAPE Over the centuries, through constant collective work, man has managed to create this landscape, the only one of its kind in the world, safely kept inside a treasure chest between Punta Mesco and Punta Monte Nero. 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. Held up by over 7000 km of dry stone walling, cleverly built without any kind of cement, they are cultivated as vineyards that reach down to almost touch the lapping sea waves. The Cinque Terre, recognised by the Unesco "Mankind's World Heritage", are today a National Park and Protected Marine Area with the aim of protecting this great cultural heritage.
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