THE CINQUE TERRE
The Cinque Terre is a jagged stretch of coastline of the Ligurian
Riviera located in the Spezia area between Punta Mesco and Punta
di Montenero: it includes five hamlets once named “lands” that’s
Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al
Mare.
The “National Park of Cinque Terre”, founded in 1999, with its
3.868 hectares wide surface, is one of Italy's smallest National
Parks and the most populated at the same time, with about 4.000
inhabitants distributed in the five villages.
What makes this territory special in comparison with other natural parks,
is that here the natural environment has been deeply changed
by human actions. For centuries the inhabitants of the Cinque Terre
sectioned the steep slopes of the hills to obtain stripes of land to
cultivate them. All of those narrow flat portions of land called "ciàn" are
supported by dry-stone walls. This is the real characterizing feature of
the Cinque Terre, with an unusual and deeply anthropized landscape: this
is why this is the Park of Man, a territory that has become a World
Heritage.
The Park encloses as well a Marine Protected Area including Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso and a small part
of Levanto, and The Cetacean Sanctuary that’s a sea protected area characterized by particular environmental
conditions that made the nourishment and reproduction of cetaceans possible.
Here the presence of about 1.000 whales has been registered, 30.000 to 40.000 among spotted dolphins, common
bottlenose dolphins and short-beaked common dolphins.
In the Marine Protected Area you can also enjoy
swim path ( a 700mt long sea path near thecoastline) or underwater itineraries as thefollowing ones: Corniglia Landslide, The Panettone,
The Love Trail, Punta Mesco, Pineda shallows, Lobster
shallows and specific itineraries for people with
disabilities.
RIOMAGGIORE
The Castle
Located in the valley of the Rivus Maior stream, now covered, Riomaggiore is the first town arriving from La
Spezia. According to the tradition the town dates back to the VIII century when a group of greek fugitives from
the persecution of Leone III found shelter here.
Via dell’Amore - Love Trail
S.Giovanni Battista Montenero Shrine S.Rocco oratory
The houses painted with typical traditional
colours, follow the scheme of the twer
houses and are structured in 3 or 4 plants.
In Riomaggiore starts The Love trail that
takes to Manarola, a very suggestive
pedestrian street with beautiful landscapes.
Must to see locations:
The Bastion «Nostra Signora della Salute» shrine
Manarola has very old origins. It was founded by the inhabitants of the probably roman settlement of
«Volastra». Sited on a sharp promontory of dark rock the town is structured around the course, now covered, of
the Groppo brook and it is characterized by tower houses defending the village. Manarola is the calmest of the
Cinque terre villages, later discovered by tourists: from here you can enjoy the super panoramic Love trail to
Riomaggiore. Must to see locations:
S.LorenzoVia dell’Amore - Love Trail
MANAROLA
CO
RN
IG
LI
A
«Nostra Signora delle Grazie» shrine
The origin of Corniglia dates back to the Roman time and its name derives from «Gens Cornelia», the
roman family owner of the place. Located on a hundred of meters high steep promontory, close to a hill
rich in vineyards from which you can admire all the other four towns of Cinque Terre, Corniglia it’s the only
hamlet that does not face directly the sea. To reach the city centre it’s necessary to climb up the «Lardarina»
a long stair formed by 377 steps, or down the street from the train station.
S.Pietro S.Caterinaoratory
From Corniglia you can reach Vernazza walking
down the road running halway up the hill
between the top of the mountain and the sea.
Must to see locations:
VERNAZZAThis noble and refined
hamlet founded around the
year 1000 take name from
the Roman ancient family
«Gens Vulnetia»: to them
belonged the slaves that,
once liberated, founded
the town. Vernazza was
once the most prosperous
village of Cinque Terre
and the historical centre
conserves beautiful
architectural elements as
lodges, arcades and portals.
S. Margherita of Antiochia
Doria Castle
Vernazza fortified tower
S.Francesco convent
It develops on a rocky spur along the Vernazzola brook, now covered.
The town presents a big number of side streets connected by steep stairs
and it is dotted by defensive constructions and tower houses.
Must to see locations:
the old medieval hamlet from the new part of the village, developed
along the Fegina beach. Old Monterosso is dominated by the ruins of
the castle and characterized by typical tower-houses crossed
by the typical «carruggi», narrow medieval streets.
Must to see locations:
S. Giovanni Battista
Cappuccini monksconvent
The castle and the fortified towersThe giant Neptunus
«Confraternita dei Bianchi» oratory
MONTEROSSO A MAREMonterosso al Mare
is the most western
town of Cinque
Terre. The village is
protected by hills
covered with
vineyards and olive
groves and offers
beautiful beaches,
steep rugged cliffs
and crystalline
waters. The Aurora
Tower, sited on the
hill of San
Cristoforo, divides
PATHS & TOUR
The paths of the Cinque Terre have been the only connection between the villages, and between the villages and the
hinterland for centuries.
Today the path network, developing along more than 120 kilometers, allows visitors to admire and enjoy the whole
territory, through different types of paths.
The 3 main paths, all well indicated and marked by red and white sign, are the following:
- Path1 or High Path running down the crest that divides the coastline from Val di Vara valley
- «Road of shrines» running halfway up the hill, linking the main worhship buildings
- Path 2 better know as Blue Path, linking all the 5 villages: the famous and suggestive «Love Trail» «Via dell’amore»,
perched right over the sea, is part of this path.
MOST POPULAR PATHS
BLUE PATH
Is the most important and it is constantly curated and improved, so
the passage is paid.
The path starts from Riomaggiore to reach Monterosso crossing
Manarola, Corniglia and Vernazza and is about 12 km long.
- The first stretch, between Riomaggiore and Manarola, is even
better known as the “Love trail”. It is the shortest one (about 1 km)
and is undoubtedly the easiest one (duration about 30 min).
- The second stretch, between Manarola and Corniglia, is 2.8 km
long and takes about 1 hour to walk.
- The third stretch, between Corniglia and Vernazza, is 3.5 km long
and it takes almost 2 hours.
- The fourth stretch, between Vernazza and Monterosso, is the
longest and most demanding.
It is 3.8 km long and requires no less than 2 hours.
Is a beautiful, family-friendly pathway that allows you to
enjoy, with some effort, all the magnificent beauty of our
Cinque Terre.
It consists of reaching the overlying Sanctuary of
Montenero and returning to the country through a
different path.
To do this, there is a shorter, but very demanding, journey
and one longer and, of course, less tiring.
RIOMAGGIORE RING
THEMED ITINERARIES BY FOOT
Itinerary of the terraced vineyards Riomaggiore - Manarola - Groppo - Volastra - Case Pianca - Corniglia
Departure: Riomaggiore Arrival: Corniglia Lenght: 7,82 km Duration: 3 hours 15 min. Return Time: 3 hours 15 min.
Itinerary of the Ancient settlements Riomaggiore - Lemmen - Monesteroli - Campiglia - Fossola
Lunghezza: 11,2 km Duration: 3 hours 45 min. Return time: 3 hours 45 min.
Nature Itinerary
Departure: Monterosso Arrival: Monterosso Lenght: 11,4 km
Duration: 3 hours 45 min. Return time: 3 hours 45 min.
Itinerary of the Shrines and Churches
Departure: Monterosso Arrival: Riomaggiore Lenght: 27,2 kmDuration: 5 hours 45 min. Return time: 5 hours 45 min.
HIGH PATH
Is an ancient mule track, perhaps
dating back to Roman times,
which runs along the watershed
that separates the coast from the
hinterland. The full path, most of
which is in the Cinque Terre,
starts from Levanto to the west
and ends at Porto Venere, east,
developing for more than 40 km
and touching 800 meters with a total altitude of about 1300 meters. Crossed by many side paths that go down
to the sea, and to the capital and Val di Vara, the High Path is very linear and clean, fairly demanding, but
accessible to all. Drive all the way requires at least 10 hours, but it is advisable to split it in several stages,
stopping in the refreshment points you meet along the way:
Stage 1: Monterosso - Monte Marvede (677 m.)
Stage 2: Monte Marvede (677 m.) – Telegrafo (513 m.)
Stage 3: Telegrafo (513 m.) - Riomaggiore
THE SHRINES
To each of these five villages of the Cinque Terre, halfway up the
hill, corresponds a “Santuario” (Shrine-Sanctuary) to which the
inhabitants have always been tied by profound devotion.
Five churches linked to their respective villages by steep mule-tracks,
real “Via Crucis” routes still used today by believers during annual
Festivals.
The Via dei Santuari - Road of the Sanctuaries, whit its horizontal route
linking all five buildings of worship, is of great historic and
naturalistic interest.
We are dealing with a historic itinerary, to do on foot, on horseback
or by bicycle, which crosses terraced land allotments, old cottages,
small groups of houses, often abandoned, and which gives
incomparable views of the Cinque Terre and notable points of
historic and spiritual reflection.
A simple route, easy for anyone, which can be split up into stages.
«Nostra Signora of Soviore» shrine (Monterosso)
«Nostra Signora delle Grazie» shrine
San Bernardino
(Corniglia-Vernazza)
«Madonna of Reggio» shrine
(Vernazza)
«Nostra Signora della Salute»
shrine - Volastra (Manarola)
«Madonna of Montenero» shrine
(Riomaggiore)
FOOD & WINE SPECIALTIES
«Farinata» , Fried Anchovies, Tagliatelle with Pesto sauce, Stockfish with chard, Zucchini flowers croquette,
Focaccia Bread, «Sgabeo», Rice savoury pie.
Local products: Sciacchetrà (dessert wine), Lemon, Extra virgin Olive Oil
Typical Recipes:
FR
IED
AN
CH
OV
IES
FA
RIN
AT
A
TA
GL
IAT
EL
LE
WIT
H
PE
ST
O S
AU
CE
FO
CA
CC
IA B
RE
AD
ZU
CC
HIN
I F
LO
WE
RS
CR
OQ
UE
TT
ESC
IAC
CH
ET
RÀ
DE
SSE
RT
WIN
E
- Literary Park «Eugenio Montale e delle Cinque Terre»
Naturalistic and literary itineraries once a month from April to October. Departure from Info Point of Cinque
Terre National Park. Reservation required [email protected], mob.phone +39 3468299811
5 Terre Art Festival Dawns & Sunsets
Roadshow including concerts and performances on the coast and in the shrines For info contact Riomaggiore
Municipality by phone +39 018 7760219.
«A sea of books»
The project «Monterosso: a sea of books» proposes 8 meetings with narrative and literary essays authors and
one special «Poetry night». On July and August in Garibaldi Square or at the Fishermen pier in Monterosso.
Cinque Terre Walking Park 2017
From May to October daily guided tour to discover the paths, the vineyard and the monuments of Cinque Terre
National Park. Wine Tastings are also available. The tour are free of charge for Cinque Terre Card owners,
otherwsise cost € 6,50. E-BIKE tour available. For bookings and info [email protected] phone +39 0187 743500
Monterosso al Mare Lemon Fest, May
Lemon fest with tasting of local lemon specialties, as lemon cream, lemon marmelade and lemon tart.
Monterosso al Mare Fried anchovy fest June
The famous Monterosso anchovies are fried in the typical fish shaped pan and are served with fried bread and
local white wine.
Monterosso al Mare St John Patron Saint Fest June 23-24
Traditional bonfire on 23 evening, fair, procession and Luminaria on the sea on June 24.
Monterosso al Mare Salt Anchovy fest September
FAIRS & EVENTS
HOW TO GET TO THE CINQUE TERRE
BY CAR
Highway Suggested exits: La Spezia (from there follow the road signs to La Spezia and Le Cinque Terre) and
Carrodano (follow the directions to Levanto and Le Cinque Terre).
BY TRAIN
It is the ideal mean of transport to visit the Cinque Terre. The runs are very frequent, especially during the summer,
and the trains stop in all the stations of the 5 villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al
Mare. The terminus is in La Spezia, on the Pisa-Genova railway line, where all the long-distance trains stop.
www.trenitalia.com
BY BUS
From La Spezia, you can take Explora 5 Terre Bus, reaching Riomaggiore, Manarola, Volastra, San Bernardino,
Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso and all the shrines.
BY PLANE
Nearest airport are Cristoforo Colombo« of Genova and "Galileo Galilei" of Pisa.
See more on www.airport.genova.it and www.pisa-airport.com
BY FERRY
In spring and summer there are daily connections by ferry from La Spezia, Lerici, and Porto Venere. Monterosso,
Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore are also connected during the day by inner navigation lines, with terminus
Monterosso. See more on www.navigazionegolfodeipoeti.it
http://www.trenitalia.com/