Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Hiking inland up the town's main drag, you'll come to the train tracks covered by
Manarola's new square, called...
Piazza Capellini:
Built in 2004, this square is an all-around great idea, giving the town
a safe, fun zone for kids. Locals living near the tracks also enjoy a little less noise. Check
out the mosaic that displays the varieties of local fish in colorful enamel.
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Fifty yards uphill, you'll find the...
Sciacchetrà Museum:
Run by the national park, it's hardly a museum. But if it's open,
pop in to its inviting room to see a tiny exhibit on the local wine industry (€0.50, free with
Cinque Terre Park Card, generally closed, 15-minute video in English by request, 100 yards
uphill from train tracks, across from the post office).
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Hiking farther uphill, you can still hear...
Manarola's Stream:
Like the streams in Riomaggiore, Monterosso, and Vernazza,
Manarola's rivulet was covered over by a modern sewage system after World War II. Before
that time, romantic bridges arched over its ravine. A modern waterwheel recalls the origin
of the town's name—local dialect for “big wheel” (one of many possible derivations). Mills
like this once powered the local olive oil industry.
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Keep climbing until you come to the square at the...
Top of Manarola:
The square is faced by a church, an oratory—now a religious and
community meeting place—and a bell tower, which served as a watchtower when pirates
raided the town (the cupola was added once the attacks ceased). Behind the church is
Manarola's well-run youth hostel, originally the church's schoolhouse. To the right of the
oratory, a stepped lane leads to Manarola's sizable tourist-free zone.
While you're here, check out the
church
. According to the white marble plaque in its
facade, the Parish Church of St. Lawrence (San Lorenzo) dates from “MCCCXXXVIII”
(1338). Step inside to see two paintings from the unnamed Master of the Cinque Terre, the
only painter of any note from this region (left wall and above main altar). While the style
is Gothic, the work dates from the late 15th century, long after Florence had entered the
Renaissance. Note the humble painted stone ceiling, which replaced the wooden original in
the 1800s. It features Lawrence, patron saint of the Cinque Terre, with his grill, the symbol
of his martyrdom (he was roasted on it).
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Withthebelltoweronyourleft,headabout20yardsdownthemainstreetbelowthechurch
and find a wooden railing. It marks the start of a delightful stroll around the high side of
town, and back to the seafront. This is the beginning of the...
Manarola Vineyard Walk:
Don't miss this experience. Simply follow the wooden rail-
ing, enjoying lemon groves and wild red valerian (used for insomnia since the days of the
Romans). Along the path, which is primarily flat, you'll get a close-up look at the region's
famous dry-stone walls and finely crafted vineyards (with dried-heather thatches to protect
