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Adding new photographs of Liguria,
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Riomaggiore, Province of LA SPEZIA.
Originating in the fourteenth century, it separated from the community of Biassa in 1343. The landscape is dominated by Mediterranean maquis, from the steep cliffs to the paths that climb up to Monte Parodi, beyond which you can see the Gulf of La Spezia: one of these paths leaves the town and rises rapidly up to the 400-metre altitude where the sanctuary of the Madonna di Montenero is situated. This is the first that you come to on the "road of sanctuaries", which runs along the upper parts of the Cinque Terre.
The church of San Giovanni Battista dates from 1341. All that is left of the thirteenth-century castle is the outer wall and the ruins of the two towers, which can be visited in the panoramic location of Colle Cerricò. On the promontory of Torre Guardiola, where a fortress once stood, there is now a nature path for birdwatching enthusiasts. There is also an original open-air workshop for creative writing.
Manarola forms part of the same municipality and is very similar to Riomaggiore, to which it is connected by the famous Via dell'Amore that is carved into the hillside and by a short railway tunnel. This town, however, is older and is referred to in documents dating from the thirteenth century. The parish church of San Lorenzo, with a Gothic façade and rosace, dates back to 1338. Volastra, a town founded in Roman times, stands on the road to Corniglia and preserves its original layout.Riomaggiore forms part of the Cinque Terre National Park, which is also a marine reservation: the many rare plant and animal species are protected and fishing is strictly regulated. All sea sports can be practised here, from diving (there is a special diving centre) to sailing.The superior quality wine of the Cinque Terre is a white wine of world renown: it is a raisin wine similar to "sciacchetrà" and is very hard to find. The painter Telemaco Signorini was born in Riomaggiore.
Note: The above is an extracts taken from the official web-site of the Regione Ligure, Agriculture and tourism department - Tourist section. |
Travel Hint: Travelling along the Italian Riviera to visit Liguria's coastal towns and cities is recommended by train - they are frequent, comfortable and generally on time. They also take you into the resort centres and give you an additional perspective and 'flavour' of Italian life. The car by contrast is not quite as practical and ideal as first appears. There are basically two roads along the Riviera, the 'autostrada' and the 'Aurelia'. Italian 'autostrada' can be fairly stressed environments and the coastal road (via Aurelia) is pretty in parts but very slow, passing through every little seaside town. Additionally, parking in most Ligurian coastal towns is not in abundance and can take much longer to find a space than ever imagined - during most of the year, not just in summer. With car-hire, petrol, motorway tolls and parking charges, the car soon becomes an expensive and less than ideal way of getting around - and more often than not, slower overall than the journey by train.
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Enjoy relaxed, independent walking
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