Manarola italy on the map. Manarola: the most colorful city in Italy
The Cinque Terre is a Ligurian time machine. Manarola
Today we present to your attention five virtual tours dedicated amazing place on the map of Italy - Cinque Terre. During this week on our website every day will appear new town and already on Friday, March 27, all five cities of the Five Lands will be available for viewing.
And now a few facts about the Cinque Terre:
A dozen kilometers of rocky coast and heels settlements: either cities or villages. Why do tourists come here from all over the world? Let's try to figure it out.
Would you like to be in a place where colorful houses climb steep cliffs, vineyards spread on the slopes, and the emerald sea splashes below? Where there are no cars, but many boats? Where can you endlessly wander through the narrow medieval streets? There is such a place: the natural reserve "Cinque Terre" ("Five Lands") on the Ligurian coast of Italy.
The five lands are five tiny towns: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. Each of them has its own recognizable face and is not like the other.
Since 1997, the Cinque Terre National Park has been under the protection of UNESCO. Instead of the usual parked cars, you will see stacked boats. The sea washing Ligurian coast, is considered one of the cleanest in the Mediterranean. In a decade and a half of existence national park marine flora and fauna have been restored here, which attracts not only beach tourists, but also divers.
You can get to the park by water, by boat, small boat or by rail. At the same time, the train almost all the time goes through the tunnel, which is why traveling on it resembles a trip to the subway. The composition comes to the surface only at the stations, so as not to disturb the beauty of the natural landscape.
Most Big City, Riomaggiore, founded at the beginning of the 13th century. Its population is about 1700 people. This is where it starts (or ends depending on where you're coming from) famous road Love, which I will talk about below. In addition, Riomaggiore is famous for its wine. However, this can be said about each of these five settlements.
Between towns created hiking trails. The distances are not very long, but if you decide to go along them, keep in mind that you will have to go along mountain paths, and it will take much more time to overcome them than on flat terrain. To warm up, you can start with Via del Amor: the Road of Love that connects Riomaggiore and Manarola, a city of 450 people that still has medieval fortifications that protected the inhabitants from pirates.
Here is one of the legends that can be heard about this place. A long time ago, young men from Manarola went to the stream that flowed near Riomaggiore for water. As usual in ancient legends, the inhabitants were at enmity with each other. One of the young men met a beautiful girl from Riomaggiore by the stream, and they, having fallen in love with each other, began to secretly meet. The girl's brothers found out about this and locked her in the house. She got out and ran to her lover, but their meeting ended tragically: both of them slipped and fell off the rocks into the sea. Since then, the inhabitants have stopped strife and live in peace, and the road was called Via del Amor. The flood of 2011 badly damaged the Cinque Terre, but now almost all of its consequences have been eliminated. Unfortunately, landslides and rockfalls often lead to the fact that the road is closed.
If you find yourself in Manarola, walk along Via del Amor, remember the ancient legend. And when the evening catches you, the best way to meet the sunset is on the mountain: it is not for nothing that the excellent view is widely replicated on postcards. In addition, there is one curious attraction in Manarola: a boat lift. Raising a boat from a tiny stone cove, it is hung on a block and pulled up to put it on the square.
Corniglia is the smallest town of the "five" (245 inhabitants), and also the only one that does not have access to the sea, as it is located on the top of a mountain. To get here, you need to climb a high ladder (perhaps that is why there are the fewest tourists here). But if you overcome the steep climb, the reward will be a beautiful panoramic view from the observation deck, and a walk through the narrow streets will give you pleasure even on a hot day. Corniglia is famous not only for its vineyards, but also for its unusual way of delivering the harvest. Steep slopes are too tough for motor vehicles, so the grapes are carried on a monorail device that resembles a motorcycle riding a roller coaster.
Vernazza is the pearl of the Cinque Terre, the most picturesque of the five cities. The beautiful church of Margaret of Antioch, built at the beginning of the 14th century, is adjacent to the Belforte tower and the ruins of a castle built before the 11th century. On the square overlooking the bay, there are many restaurants of Italian cuisine. A little more than 1000 people live in Vernazza.
And, finally, Monterosso al Mare, founded in 1056 (population - 1563 people), differs from its counterparts in the presence of a sandy beach, which attracts tourists here. If you turn to the side, then after 600 meters you will find yourself in Old city. There is also a small beach here, and also begins hiking trail to Vernazza.
In one of my previous travels, I happened to walk it on foot. I walked with great pleasure, but my companions flatly refused to repeat the trip. However, even unprepared tourists are quite capable of climbing Christoforo Hill to the Capuchin Monastery and the old castle, built in the 16th century to protect against Saracen raids.
If you love romantic views, mountain walks, the sound of the sea and Italian cuisine, go to Cinque Terre. But keep in mind that during the season the number of lovers of beauty can be very large, so you should book hotels in advance.
The most convenient way to travel between towns is by train, which departs from La Spezia. It must be borne in mind that the Italian sun and light-heartedness hovering in the air make the schedule optional, and trains may be late or early. For lovers of unhurried hiking, hiking trails of varying difficulty are organized. An experienced traveler will need at least 12 hours to overcome the longest (40 kilometers). The short road between all five towns takes about 5 hours, but I have not yet met anyone who would go through all five at one time. And how not to stop for a bite to eat in cozy restaurants? Haste is inappropriate here!
In these parts you will not find luxury hotels and large restaurants, there are their own rules and laws. But the hospitality of people who paint their houses in bright colors, the amazing natural beauty of Liguria, and the feeling of traveling through time are the main treasures of the Cinque Terre.
How to get to the Cinque Terre
national park Cinque Terre is a complex of 5 fishing villages(Monterosso, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia), combined into one historical and cultural monument. The Cinque Terre is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Western Italy. The Cinque Terre is located on the Gulf of Genoa in the province of La Spezia in the Liguria region.
To get to the Cinque Terre, you first need to get to Liguria, you can do this by plane to Genoa or by plane to Milan. Next on land transport you can drive to the five villages themselves (as the Italian name “Cinque Terre” is translated).
How to get to the Cinque Terre from Genoa
All settlements in the Cinque Terre are located in close proximity to each other and can be reached by train, boat or taxi. Distances from Genoa to Monterosso - 88 km, to Vernazza - 97 km, Riomaggiore - 116 km; Manarola - 117 km, Corniglia - 120 km.
By train or boat
To each of the towns of the Cinque Terre, there are regional trains (or, as they are also called, electric trains) from Genoa. Travel time to Monterosso - 1 hour 20 minutes; Vernazza - 1 hour 25 minutes; Riomaggiore - 1 hour 35 minutes; Manarola - 1 hour 40 minutes; Corniglia - 1 hour 50 minutes. All trains depart from Genoa Brignoli railway station. There are many trains running throughout the day. You can check the timetable and buy train tickets from Genoa either at the ticket offices of the railway station, or on the railway service .Similarly, you can go to the Cinque Terre and water transport and explore the picturesque coast of the Ligurian Riviera (in summer time). Numerous sightseeing boats depart from the port of Genoa. Travel time will be from 2 to 2.5 hours.
By taxi
Alternatively, you can also get to the towns of the Cinque Terre by taxi. You can order a taxi upon arrival at the airport or railway station of Genoa, or in advance through the international network of taxis that provide transfer services. So, you can find a transfer in advance on the services , and others similar. Travel time to Monterosso – 1 hour 50 minutes on the way, up to Vernazza – 2 hours on the way; before Riomaggiore – 2 hours 10 minutes on the way; before Manarola – 2 hours 15 minutes on the way; to Corniglia – 2 hours 20 minutes on the way.
By rented car
It is no less convenient to travel from Genoa to the Cinque Terre National Park in a rented car. Genoa and the park are connected by road No. A12/E80, by car the distance of 80 km to the first village can be covered in 1 hour and 20 minutes. In addition, this is an unforgettable opportunity to see the most scenic views Ligurian coast. extremely common, you can find rental offices in the city and at the airport of arrival.
Heatkernel/Cinque Terre
How to get to the Cinque Terre from Milan
The average distance from Milan to the Cinque Terre is 240 km. You can also get to the towns of the National Park by train or taxi.
By train
Each of the cities of the Cinque Terre can be reached by train from Milan. Between Milan and Monterosso runs high-speed train IC type with a frequency of 1 time in 2 hours, the travel time is about 3 hours. There are no direct trains between Milan and Vernazza, but you can get there with a change in La Spezia or Levanto, the journey time is just over 3 hours. You can drive from Milan to Riomaggiore in 3 hours and 20 minutes with a change in Monterosso or La Spezia. You can get to Manarola in 3 hours 25 minutes with a change in the same Monterosso or La Spezia. It takes the longest to get to Corniglia - about 3.5 hours with a change in Levanto or La Spezia. You can check the timetable and buy train tickets from Milan either at the ticket offices of Milano Centrale railway station, or on the railway service .
By rented car
One of the most convenient and fastest ways to get from Milan to the Cinque Terre is to rent a car directly at Milan Airport. Milan and the Cinque Terre National Park are separated by 235 km, which run along the A1 and A15/E33 routes through Parma or along the A7 and A12 routes through Genoa. Travel time will be approximately 3 hours. open at numerous points in the city districts, as well as at the Malpensa and Bergamo airports.
alans1948/Cinque Terre Where to stay in the Cinque Terre
The Cinque Terre consists of 5 towns - Monterosso, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Manarola and Corniglia. If you wish, you can not only see the Cinque Terre for a fact-finding visit, but also live here for a while. In all 5 settlements there are hotels of different star categories, mostly 3 and 2 stars, as well as guest houses without stars. In our selection of three-star hotels in the Cinque Terre in the middle price category:
- Hotel Due Gemelli 3 stars: Among hotels in Riomaggiore, this one stands out for its views from the hotel, as the Hotel Due Gemelli is located on a hill overlooking the bay. Nearby is a pine forest and vineyards. The hotel has a restaurant with a terrace serving Ligurian cuisine. Private parking is available on site free of charge. There is a luggage storage. Most of the hotel's rooms offer sea views. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.
- Locanda Il Maestrale 3 stars: This hotel is located in Monterosso al Mare, the first of the five villages of the Cinque Terre. The hotel is located in a historic building surrounded by a garden. The convenience of the hotel's location lies in the fact that the nearest beach can be reached in a few minutes. Locanda Il Maestrale features free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel has economy, standard and superior rooms. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.
- Hotel Margherita 3 stars: Among Monterosso hotels, this one is conveniently located in relation to the beach, which is just a few steps away. Monterosso train station is also within walking distance. The hotel has its own garden. WiFi is available free of charge throughout the property. The hotel has luggage storage. Nearby is a parking lot. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.
- Hotel 5 Terre 3 stars: The hotel is conveniently located for the beach, city center and railway station. Numerous cafes and restaurants of Monterosso are also nearby. The hotel has its own garden and bar. WiFi is available free of charge throughout the property. Free private parking is also available (reservation is not required). The hotel's standard rooms offer views of the garden or the sea. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.
- Hotel Marina Piccola 3 stars: Hotel Marina Piccola is located in Manarola, within walking distance of both the beaches of the town and the train station. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi and luggage storage. Among the shortcomings - the hotel does not have an elevator and parking spaces. You can find out more about the availability and cost of staying at the hotel for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.
Kelly Hunter/Cinque Terre What to see in the Cinque Terre
The attractions of the Cinque Terre are a mixture of natural landscapes and historical monuments preserved in the National Park. Each of the 5 settlements has preserved its own interesting places, and you can move between the towns partly on foot (“Path of Love”), partly on public transport(trains run).
Monterosso
Monterosso is the largest of the five villages of the Cinque Terre. Conventionally, the town is divided into the old and new parts. The first is famous for its historical buildings, while the second is famous for its extensive pebble-sand beach (which is generally rare for Liguria). The must-see sights of Monterosso include the Monterosso Castle and 13 towers (16th century), the Capuchin Monastery (17th century), the Church of St. Giovanni Batista (13th century), the residence of Villa Montale (19th century) and others historical monuments. In addition, the idea of Monterosso will be incomplete if you do not go up to the observation deck located on the Aurora Tower, it is from there that they open the best views to the town and the bay.
fiore's barbato/monterosso Vernazza
Vernazza is a very tiny town located on a sheer cliff, which is why I move around it, I have to constantly go down or up the stairs. It is worth stopping by Vernazza to admire the church of St. Margaret of Antioch (14th century), the Franciscan monastery (17th century), the ruins of Doria Castle (11th century). Of course, the main decoration of the city are steep cliffs that go straight into the raging blue sea. These landscapes are infinitely beautiful both from land and from water, which is why they are so popular here. boat trips on boats and boats.
luca casartelli/vernacca Riomaggiore
Riomaggiore, like the rest of the towns of the Cinque Terre, has retained the charm of the Middle Ages. What are the ruins of the Riomaggiore castle, the construction of which dates back to the 13th century. Also in the city there are several churches and chapels that date back to the Early Middle Ages. These include the chapels of St. Anthony, St. Rocco and St. Sebastian and the church of Assunta. In addition, the picturesque views of the city are complemented by a small secluded beach (not as extensive as in Monterosso, but surprisingly beautiful). Then you can get to the next city - Manarola - along the equipped hiking trail - the Path of Love.
luca-casartelli/riomaggiore Path of Love
The distance of the Path of Love is only 900 m, but it passes by sheer cliffs Liguria, stretching straight into the deep blue sea, which is why the local landscapes are so picturesque. The route is not difficult, there are no sharp ascents and descents, so many tourists are happy to overcome it on foot, although the funicular also works. You can also travel along the route by train, however most beauty in this case you will not see - Railway passes through a tunnel in the mountains.
Manarola
Manarola is a combination of colored red-yellow houses and gray menacing rocks that go into the sea, at the foot of which fishing boats gently rock. Every morning on local market you can find fresh seafood and fish caught right there in the bay. Manarola is a very small town, it is decorated with a tiny central square and the church of St. Lorenzo, made in a magnificent baroque style. The construction of the church dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. Here the church is surrounded by a chapel and a bell tower, no less magnificent and beautiful.
alquiler de coches/manarola Corniglia
Corniglia closes the journey through the Cinque Terre, the settlement is located on a hill, a little further from the sea. Here you can find the Gothic church of St. Peter (14th century), the ruins of fortifications (16th century), the chapel of St. Catherine (17th century). By the way, the latter offers magnificent views of Corniglia. Not far from the town there is also a small beach, however, it is far from suitable for everyone, since it is considered nudist.
Harold Kuiper/Corniglia - one of the most exciting and daring towns, the oldest of the (Five Lands). With a breakwater approaching the sea at a height of 70 m, with typical Genoese-style turret houses forming a multi-colored beehive, with narrow streets with a touch of sea salt on them. Founded in the 12th century, it most likely takes its name from the mill wheel.
Manarola has a long tradition of producing wine and olive oil from plantations in the hills. This area is famous for dry white wine Shakketra, and the town even has a wine museum. The most scenic way to get to Manarola is to follow the path through the breathtaking scenery (Road of Love). Breathing in the aromas of Mediterranean vegetation, enjoying the sun and listening to the monotonous sound of the sea. So you will get to Riomaggiore, it belongs to its commune.
Geographically, the town is located on East coast and as part of the Five Lands, since 1997 it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List and since 1999 it has been part of the national park of the same name. The coast here is characterized by hills where grapes and olives grow, as well as a few paths passing directly above the sea.
Wine of Manarola, Shakketra- one of the most beloved in Liguria, is synonymous with the Five Lands, as it is produced only here. You can see typical tower houses with roof terraces called cassola: it is here that every year in September, after the grapes are harvested, they arrange to “rest” in the shade. The result is an aged wine of golden color, which can be recommended even to a gourmet.
The history of the city is not much different from the history of other cities from the Five Lands, under the pressure of two maritime republics - Genoa and Pisa. However, history and nature have done their best: today a truly idealistic landscape opens before us. Some researchers believe that the name of the city comes from the name of one of the local pagan deities, others - from the mill wheel.
History of Manarola
As for the history of the region, there is one interesting fact: in Volastra, ancient settlement Etruscans, one of the temples of the Five Lands is located. it Temple of the Madonna della Salute(Santuario della Madonna della Salute), a small Romanesque church of the 12th century, stone, with one rectangular nave.
The temple belongs to the parish Church of San Lorenzo in (Innocent IV Square) 1338. The similarity of these two churches is striking, but the last building is distinguished by the presence of a large round window in the form of a rose on the facade. Another interesting architectural monument in - castle on Baluardo street(Castello di via del Baluardo), built to protect against the Saracens.
Like other coastal cities in the region, Manarola is distinguished by the harmonious neighborhood of man and nature. Do not be surprised if you suddenly notice a parked boat on the street - this is a fairly common occurrence, a kind of tradition.
Among the most popular tourist routes –Road of Love, connecting Manarola and Riomaggiore, which is part of the great Blue Way (Sentiero Azzurro) leading to Monterosso. On this way, you will fully enjoy the unique views of local nature, the beauty of agaves, palms, mastic trees, pines.
Also known for organizing the largest nativity scene in the world. Christmas in the Five Lands is a unique spectacle: throughout December and early January, the city turns into a giant nativity scene from a multitude of lights. The author of the idea, as well as the designer of the nativity scene, is Mario Andreoli. For a long time, this citizen has been placing Parish characters and thousands of lanterns on the hillsides. In addition to Christmas, the city is worth visiting at Easter or in August - for the traditional feast of the patron saint of St. Lorenzo from.
This ancient city is part of the Cinque Terre Park, which consists of five settlements. Manarola attracts tourists from different countries with its unusual location and amazing brilliance. Here, old houses coexist with new buildings, and on the horizon the sea merges with the sky.
In a tiny town, a complete feeling of a revived fairy tale is created. Narrow streets lined with gingerbread houses stretch right over the sea, and below in a small harbor there are colorful boats. However, parked boats can be seen right on the streets.
Of all the settlements that make up the Cinque Terre (Five Lands), Manarola is the oldest and undoubtedly the most colorful.
In the fourteenth century it was a small fishing village, later acquired the status of a city and its current name. At the end of the twentieth century, the city of Manarola was included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO.
One of the paths that connects Manarola and the neighboring town of Riomaggiore is romantically called the Path of Love. The legend says that the inhabitants of these cities in ancient times were at enmity among themselves, not dividing the source of water. But it just so happened: a young man from Manarola fell in love with a young beauty from Riomaggiore. The girl reciprocated, the lovers began to secretly meet.
Parents, having learned that their daughter is carrying a child under her heart, began to find out the name of her lover. The beauty, fleeing the wrath of her parents, ran along the path to Manarola, shouting the name of the young man. The young man ran out to meet his beloved, they joined hands and rushed down. The sea scattered their bodies in different directions. The body of the girl turned out to be with Manarola, the young man with Riomaggiore.
Only when they saw the bodies of lovers did the inhabitants of both cities realize: enmity makes people unhappy. Since then, the path on which the lovers met has been called the Path of Love, and in Manarola there is a small monument that reminds residents and tourists of this story.
By fabulous city you can wander for hours, discovering new beauties. There is the Church of St. Lorenzo, whose construction dates back to the fourteenth century and is of interest from the point of view of acquaintance with the architecture of those times. However, tourists go to Manarola, rather, for vivid impressions.
Sand beach missing here. At the service of those wishing to swim and sunbathe, only all the same rocks, but from this there are no fewer people who want to plunge into the purest waters in the Manarola area. These places are also attractive for diving enthusiasts. To descend into the water, special ladders were built, descending directly from the cliff.
Of particular interest is the "Dark Cliff". It is located in such a way that the sun's rays never touch it, even at noon. It is always in the shade, which is how it got its name.
In the rays of the setting sun, the colorful houses seem brighter, and the sea takes on a golden hue. That is why, closer to sunset in the sea around Manarola, you can observe many boats and boats with tourists who have come to admire unique city from the sea.
Manarola is a city that is beautiful at any time of the year, but tourists especially like to visit here in summer and, surprisingly, in winter. The fact is that it is here in early December that the world's largest Christmas nativity scene is built. It stands until the end of January and is a truly unique sight.
The bright, multi-colored buildings of Manarola attract the attention of tourists, and between modern buildings on the streets of the city, ancient buildings have been preserved. architectural structures, whose age is already more than half a thousand years.
Like most seaside cities in Italy, Manarola is famous for its winemaking and fishing. In the local restaurants, you can taste superbly prepared seafood dishes, washed down with a glass of appropriate wine made in the nearby village of Groppo and admiring the surrounding beauties.
Christmas nativity scene
Despite its modest size, the town of Manarola occupies an important place in tourist map Italy. Tourists who, on Christmas eve, will be the most lucky for the spectacle; Every year on December 8, the world's largest nativity scene is installed in Manarola - a composition dedicated to the birth of Jesus Christ. In Italian, such a nativity scene is called Prezepe. You can look at it until the very end of January, after which Presepe is dismantled until next year.
Church of Saint Lawrence
The church in honor of St. Lawrence (Chiesa di San Lorenzo) was built in the city of Manarola in 1338. It is an almost perfect example of baroque and gothic styles. Saint Lawrence (Lorenzo) is the patron saint of Manarola, the townspeople celebrate a holiday in his honor every year on August 10th.
Road of Love
The Way of Love (Via dell'Amore) is the poetic name given to the hiking trail that connects the cities of Manarola and Riomaggiore. There are many versions of where such a name came from; the most famous is very similar to the story of Romeo and Juliet. They say that in ancient times the inhabitants of the villages of Manarola and Riomaggiore were at enmity with each other. Despite this, a girl and a boy from different villages met and fell in love at first sight. The lovers were forced to secretly meet on a narrow mountain path, but one night a misfortune happened - they both stumbled and fell off a cliff.
In the morning, the inhabitants of Manarola and Riomaggiore found the bodies of the lovers, were ashamed of their enmity and have since reconciled, and the path was called the Road of Love.
How to get there
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Manarola is by train.
Motorists should head for the SP370 regional road from La Spezia. A huge plus of traveling in a rented car is the opportunity to stay next to viewing platforms and admire the incredible views of mountain serpentines. You can compare prices for car rental in Italy from different companies using the service.
Hotels
Guest House Arpaiu
Guest House Arpaiu – beautiful place where to stay in the town of Manarola. Guests will be offered here spacious rooms with sea views; Each room has a bathroom with all necessary amenities, a large-screen TV, free and unlimited internet, a coffee machine and an electric kettle. One night in high season in a double room will cost an average of 115 to 135 euros.
Giovanni Rooms Hotel
The Giovanni Rooms hotel is an option for those who like to relax with taste, appreciate beauty and comfort. The stylishly furnished rooms are decorated with paintings by contemporary artists. The room has a bathroom, where you can find the necessary toiletries, a TV, the apartment has a small kitchen. Many rooms offer breathtakingly beautiful sea panoramas.
Laundry, fax, car rental, luggage storage or safety deposit box are available for guests at an additional cost. The cost of living in a double room is on average 150 euros per night.
Vandiris Hotel
Hotel Vandiris is located in Manarola, almost on the seashore. In the decor of the rooms there is everything you need, there is nothing superfluous, but such conciseness only adds more comfort. Some apartments have outdoor terraces overlooking the sea. You can rent a double room at the Vandiris Hotel for 130 euros per night.
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