Cinque Terre National Park (Parco nazionale delle Cinque Terre) is located on the west coast of Italy, in the region of Liguria (Liguria), province of Spezia (Spezia). The name of the park means "Five Lands"; he got such a name because it consists of five small communal towns, picturesquely located near the sea, among the mountain slopes. Since 1997, Cinque Terre Park, as well as the nearby city of Portovenere (Portovenere) has been granted UNESCO cultural heritage status and they are protected by this organization.
Description of the park
The first settlements on the territory of modern Cinque Terre appeared in the era of the Roman Empire. But most of the attractions relate to the Middle Ages. Among them are man-made terraces along the seashore, monuments of religious and secular architecture: temples, sanctuaries, palaces and mansions of an old building.
How to get there
You can get to the Cinque Terre from other cities in Italy by rail. A direct train runs regularly from Genoa to the city of Riomaggiore, which is part of the park; the journey time on it will be about two hours. From other cities in Italy you can get to La Spezia, the main city of the province, and then transfer to the regional train to Riomaggiore. The distance from La Spezia to the national park is only about five kilometers, so travel time will take no more than 10 minutes.
Transport
In all cities of the “Five Lands”, except Monterosso (Monterosso), a ban on the movement of cars (in Monterosso it is also very limited). However, this doesn’t particularly upset anyone: the cities are so close to each other that you can easily reach any of them on foot while admiring breathtaking panoramas along the road.
Well, for those who, for some reason, are not comfortable with walking, between cities you can travel by sea - by boat, or by land - by train.
Cinque Terre Cities
The following cities are part of the Cinque Terre National Park of Italy (in order, if moving from south to north):
- Riomaggiore;
- Manarola
- Corniglia
- Vernazza
- Monterosso.
Not to get lost in the cities of the park and between them, especially on numerous hiking trails, a detailed map of the Cinque Terre will help, on which the main roads, hotels, attractions and other objects important for tourists are marked.
To any of the communes that make up the Cinque Terre National Park of Italy, the word "most" can be applied: the largest, the most southern, and so on. All of them form a harmonious, integral, single space, but each has its own unique look and its own sights.
Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore is the southernmost commune of the park and the closest to La Spezia. It was founded at the beginning of the XIII century. Riomaggiore is divided into three parts: the area of the railway station, the city itself and the marina with a small rocky beach. With the neighboring Manarola Riomaggiore connects the famous Road of Love (Via dell'amore) - a very picturesque hiking trail.
Among the attractions of this town can be called the church of St. John the Baptist (Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista), which was built in 1340 and painted with beautiful frescoes; Riomaggiore castle (Castello di Riomadgiore), once a city fortification, but now it has become one of the most romantic places in the city; Montenero Church (Montenero), built, according to well-known tradition, back in the VIII century, and survived the last restoration in 1847.
Manarola
Manarola is the oldest of the five communes. Those tourists who will be here on the eve of Catholic Christmas will be very lucky: after all, it is here that they build the largest nativity scene not only in Italy but also in the world - a scene dedicated to the birth of the Infant Christ and the worship of the Magi. The grand opening of the den always takes place on December 8, and the closing is different each time, but always around the end of January - beginning of February.
In Manarola, you can find the ruins of an old bastion, visit the small village of Groppo, where they make wonderful wine, and see the image of the Madonna dating back to the 8th century in the Temple of the Virgin of Health (Chiesa della Madonna della Salute).
Corniglia
Corniglia is the smallest and highest located town of the Five Lands, but this does not make it less picturesque. This is the only one of the five cities where there is no port, so you can get here only by train or on foot.
Among the attractions of Corniglia are the beautiful St. Peter's Church (Chiesa di S. Pietro), built in the Ligurian Gothic style in 1334, the ruins of an ancient Genoese fortress and the beautiful Guvano beach, which is very popular among nudists.
Vernazza
Vernazza is rightly called the most beautiful of the five-dungeon communes and the pearl of the national park. Colorful buildings are crowded on the seashore, medieval villas and modern houses are interspersed on the streets, the Belfort tower and the walls of Castello Doria offer an unforgettable view of the surroundings.
Sights in Vernazza, as well as in other cities of the Cinque Terre - mainly religious buildings of a medieval building, including the church of St. Margarita of Antioch (Chiesa di Santa Margherita di Antiochia), the Temple of the Black Madonna Reggio (Reggio) and many others.
Monterosso
Monterosso is the fifth, if you go from south to north, and the largest of the Cinque Terre cities. It is divided into two parts - the new and, accordingly, the old city. Monterosso has the largest and most well-maintained beach; this is one of the reasons that there are more tourists here than in other cities, and nightlife here is much more extensive.
The main architectural attractions of Monterosso are the Aurora Torre tower, preserved from the ancient fortress and built in the 16th century, the giant statue of Neptune carrying a shell on the shoulder, the Church of John the Baptist (Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista) with the adjoining chapel Mortis et Orationionis (Cappella Mortis et Orationis - "Death and Prayer").
Cities Near Cinque Terre
Levanto
Levanto is a small town north of the national park. It is sometimes called the "Gateway of the Five Lands." However, the city is interesting in and of itself, regardless of the "Five-Dungeon". There are enough architectural attractions: the Church of St. Andrew the Apostle, the Annunciation Church, the ruins of an ancient fortress and much more. There are also comfortable hotels in Levanto with a wide range of accommodation prices - from economy class options to luxurious suites.
Portovenere
The name Portovenere literally means "the refuge of Venus" and comes from an old legend according to which the goddess of love and beauty Venus hid from people who stopped worshiping her in a cave near the modern city. Historically, Portovenere was a well-fortified bastion city surrounded by robust walls; Now it has turned into a small, very cozy, picturesque and beautiful town where you can admire the most beautiful views and enjoy the atmosphere of beautiful Italy.
Hotels
In all the cities of Pyatiemelye there are a large number of hotels that differ not only in accommodation prices, but also in design style, additional services, etc.
- Hotel Stella Della Marina is located in Monterosso at Via XX Settembre 11. It offers a spacious outdoor terrace with sea views, comfortable rooms equipped with air conditioning, TVs, hydromassage showers and other essential amenities. One night in a classic room during the peak tourist season will cost about 95 euros.
- Villa Argentina is located in Riomaggiore, just a ten-minute walk from the train station (address - Via De Gasperi 170). Here, guests are offered a buffet breakfast (if the guest so desires, breakfast can also be served in the room), comfortable rooms, some of which have terraces with amazing sea views. A double room without a balcony will cost an average of 115 euros, with a balcony - from 140 euros.
- Grand Hotel Portovenere is a luxury hotel located in Portovenere (address - Via Garibaldi 5).
It offers luxurious apartments with sea views; breakfast on the panoramic terrace; recreational boat trips. In addition to all necessary furniture and appliances, each room has free toiletries. The cost of living in a classic double room of such a hotel is about 290 euros.
