Vernazza

Vernazza is one of the five picturesque small villages of the Cinque Terre, a coastal region inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
The existence of a settlement of relative importance is attested on this site since at least the 11th century.
For a time master of the surrounding lands, Vernazza joined the maritime republic of Genoa in the 13th century. The latter built numerous defensive military structures, transforming Vernazza into a veritable citadel, taking advantage of the privileged situation offered by this rocky promontory.
Its natural harbor is today surrounded by tall colorful houses, with narrow streets and small squares, and the village built on the spur.
The best way to arrive in Vernazza is by train or on foot along beautiful trails from Monterosso, Corniglia or the hinterland.

Discovering Vernazza, what to see

The historic center of Vernazza is crossed by a main pedestrian street (caruggio), very busy, with all the shops, ice cream parlors and restaurants. Around it, narrow streets and stairways wind through the old town, leading up to the tower of the Doria Castle.

The church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia (Saint Margaret of Antioch in English) has stood since 1318 on a rock emerging from the waters beside the harbor, with its lovely ogival dome.

The Doria Castle is built on a rock overlooking the coast, of which one of the round towers remains, the Belforte, reached by stairways.
The interior is dedicated to exhibitions, and from the terrace you can enjoy a superb panoramic view.

The sanctuary of Our Lady of Reggio is located 2 km on foot from the village along a very beautiful paved trail, on the site of an ancient village, with a superb panorama. It preserves a Black Madonna with the Child Jesus, nicknamed the African, probably brought back during the Crusades.

The Torre di Vernazza is the former keep of the village, today in the Franciscan garden, from which extended the wall enclosing Vernazza.

The Azzurro trail has linked the Cinque Terre since the Middle Ages, between Monterosso and Riomaggiore, passing through Vernazza.
The Vernazza – Monterosso section (marked with a red and white stripe), 3.50 km long, takes about 1h15 (one way), crossing beautiful scrubland.
The trail from Vernazza to Corniglia, 4 km long, passes the panoramic point of Punta Palma (208 meters above sea level).

There are two beaches in Vernazza, a small one near the jetty with sand and rocks, and a larger one, with pebbles, reached by crossing a cave from the main street of the village center.

Gallery

Map

Information

• Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org
• Tourist portals: www.cinqueterre.it