There are lots to see in Cinque Terre, after all, it is literally mean "five lands" for the five villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare along the Northern West coast of Italy on the Mediterranean Sea. Besides the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre is one of the most popular stretches of the Italian Riviera. The five towns are full of colorful houses and vineyards that sit on steep terraces, harbors are filled with fishing boats, and trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the Liguria region’s famous pesto sauce. Enjoy your visit to Cinque Terre by downloading the Cinque Terre Travel Guide and Offline Map.
1. Riomaggiore
You've probably seen pictures of it all over social media, the colorful tower houses overlooking a quaint, sheltered beach. Yes, that's Riomaggiore and is the second largest town in Cinque Terre. Some of the places to visit are the Port of Riomaggiore, Church of San Giovanni, the Guardiola, and the Centre for Environmental Education and Naturalistic Observation. It's also known for its locally-produced wine and is the hometown of the Wine Cooperative of the Cinque Terre region. A notable feature is also the Riomaggiore castle, it was once used as a lookout for Saracen incursions, but now offers lodging and is open for events.
2. Manrola
Manrola might be one of the smallest towns, but it is rich in culture and is the oldest. This ancient Roman town is huddled atop a headland of dark rock. Asides from its picturesque beauty, it is known to attract visitors from all over Italy and the world for its Nativity scene with 300 life-sized statues made from recycled materials. The church that is dedicated to the Nativity was once used as a lookout tower.
3. Monterosso
This town has one the of the more interesting architectures in the region. During the 11th century to protect the town from Saracen pirates and rival Pisans, fortifications were increased thus defending the people from attacks. Here' you'll find the Church of San Giovanni Battista and the Aurora Tower. The famous depiction of the Crucifixion by Van Dyck himself is housed in the monastery of Cappuccini, which is connected to the church of San Francesco.
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