CLUES TO THE PAST
10 Cinque Terre Landmarks not to be missed
Cinque Terre have been inhabited since prehistory ages. Men left era after era their own evidences, artifacts and building that century after century adapted to a harsh and hostile land. Today we are lucky to visit ancient treasures gifted to us by the creative genius of our ancestors. Churches from medieval ages on still welcome today villagers and visitors from any part of the world. Here a selection of the most important ones.
RIOMAGGIORE
San Giovanni Battista Church, Riomaggiore
The first testimonies to the existence of the Nostra Signora di Montenero Church, with three naves, dates back to 1335, and it is the result of a series of renovation works that ended in the 19th century. According to the Byzantine legend from the early Middle Ages, the painting of the Virgin Mary is actually an oil on canvas from the 16th century.
Celebration:
1st May. Celebration on the occasion of the beginning of the Mary’s Month on Pentecost Sunday and Monday. On the previous Saturday the inhabitants of the village organize a procession up to the Sanctuary.
On the 4th Sunday of July, after Saturday’s procession, it takes place the celebration called “Festa dell’Incoronazione”.
MANAROLA
San Lorenzo Church Manarola
San Lorenzo Church was built in 1338in Ligurian-Gothic style. Opposite to the church, there’s the Bell Tower, square base, built during th XIV century.
The Mill Big Wheel, Manarola
The big wheel is what remains of an ancient water mill. Some historians say that the village derives its name dfrom Latin Manium Arula, but popular tradition joins the name to this big wheel, Magna Roea in Latin.
Nostra Signora della Salute, Volastra
In the tiny hamlet of Volastra (less than 200 inhabitants) The name of Volastra is probably due to this tree: “vicus oleaster”. Here we find the church Nostra Signora della Salute “Our Lady of Health”, dating back to the 12th century in Romanesque style, with subsequent Gothic architectural additions. It is one of the Sanctuaries over the Cinque Terre villages, one per village. Volastra is the Sanctuary related to Manarola. The church has one nave without apse, and it keeps an image of Mary which was crowned in 1861. The romanic façade features an ogival gate and a small mullioned window.
Celebration: 8th September, celebration of the holy Mass
CORNIGLIA
San Pietro Church, Corniglia
Close to the entrance of the village we find the small Gothic church dedicated to St Peter. It dates back at least to the 14th century (probably built on the site of a smaller 11th-century chapel). The grey stone facade is lightened by a lacy Carrara-marble rose window and a small statue of a key-wielding St Peter flanked by two figures above the entrance.
The interior is awash with baroque finery, including a finely crafted altarpiece and 18th-century paintings.
Santuario San Bernardino
Close to the entrance of the village we find the small Gothic church dedicated to St Peter. It dates back at least to the 14th century (probably built on the site of a smaller 11th-century chapel). The grey stone facade is lightened by a lacy Carrara-marble rose window and a small statue of a key-wielding St Peter flanked by two figures above the entrance.
The interior is awash with baroque finery, including a finely crafted altarpiece and 18th-century paintings.
VERNAZZA
Santa Margherita Church, Vernazza
It seems that a first church in Romanesque style was built on this place in the 11th century. Two centuries later, the current church was raised on the foundations of the previous one, of which only the apse remained. The new building is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1318.
Between the 16th and 17th centuries, the structure was considerably enlarged, however, destroying the medieval facade. In the 18th century, the church underwent a new renovation, with the interior being redecorated in Baroque style. From the 19th century, the access to the church is made from the square, through a door built in the apse area.
Santuario di Reggio, Vernazza
Nostra Signora di Reggio Sanctuary has been mentioned since 1248. Within the church there is a painting of the Virgin Mary which, according to the legend, was realized by St. Luke, but it is attributed to a Genoese school from the 14th century.
Holm oaks, cedars, horse chestnuts and Liguria’s most ancient cypress (800 years old) cast a shadow over the square, where a spring pours out of picturesque masks.
The coronation ceremony dates back to 1853. Holy Mass celebrated every Sunday afternoon at 3.00 pm.
Celebration:
The “Festa del Cristo” takes place on the 2nd Sunday of May, when the holy Mass is celebrated.
The “Festa della Madonna del Reggio” is celebrated on the first Sunday of August with a Mass and a procession.
Since 1853, every 25 years, the effigy of Mary is brought to the village, where it is kept for a week, and then it is brought back to the Sanctuary with a solemn procession.
Muin a Ventu, Vernazza
The tower that inspired Disney Pixar Movie “Luca”, CTR is authentic Medieval tower, once a windmill, now a rental for up to 5 guests overlooking Vernazza village.
MONTEROSSO
The 5 Churches of Monterosso
Monterosso al Mare has 3 churches: San Giovanni Battista, Oratorio Mortis et Orationis, Oratorio di Santa Croce o dei Bianchi in the old village
Sant’Andrea in the newer part Fegina
The Cappuccini Friar Church on the promontory between the 2 parts of the village
Soviore Sanctuary
Nostra Signora di Saviore Sanctuary is Liguria’s most ancient sanctuary, and it was also mentioned in a document dating back to 1225. The church was provided a boost during the Black Death (1348), when it became a shelter for the pilgrims. Within the building, votive offerings, an ancient Agati pipe organ and a wooden statue of Mary of northern Europe’s origin (15th century) are kept.
Centuries-old cypresses and holm oaks frame the building complex. The coronation ceremony dates back to 1749.
Celebration:
7th July, “Festa del Ritrovamento” and holy Mass
15th August, “Festa del Santuario”, at 11.00 am holy Mass celebrated by the Bishop
