|
Five miles of rocky coast in eastern Liguria, two promontories lie at each extremity, thousands of kilometres of dry walling, cultivated into vineyards, five southerly villages castled up on spurs of stone or disposed in clusters of very small inlets.
These are the co-ordinates of the Cinque Terre (Five lands).
Recognized finally as a National Park in 1999 and UNESCO protected territory since 1997 as a system of naturalistic environmental interest.
This zone is
characterized by the presence of precipitous slopes which have been cultivated into vineyards
by means of fatiguing system of terracing the only evidence of transformation operated by the laborious human activity on the territory.
The suggestive type of coastal projections on the sea with sheer cliffs that often overtake the verticality alternated with bays, winding paths and enchanting small beaches between cliffs with a profound back drop, a rich variety of ichthyic (fishing) all of which make this district an authentic natural "opera of art".
Geologically, the landscape was created by a series of folds which were formed when the rocks were pushed, raised and pressed together in the Tertiary period. Millions of years of erosion have slowly given shape to countless small peninsulas and bays between the two extreme promontories: 'Punta Cavo of Montenero' and 'Punta Mesco'.
Here, five villages
Monterosso,
Vernazza,
Corniglia,
Manarola,
Riomaggiore make up the renowned
Cinque Terre.
The only true way to enjoy the Cinque Terre at its best is by foot. On the contrary, by foot or by train, otherwise by foot and by boat.
The Genoa - La Spezia line stops in all the villages along the coast and the boats make regular shuttle runs between La Spezia, Lerici, Portovenere, Levanto and Sestri Levante.
And then by foot, through the Mediterranean bush, between heaven and sea.
In fact, the zone of the Cinque Terre is crossed by a knitted mesh of footpaths.
The coastal footpath links all five villages, allowing you to be able to hike from the first village to the last village in five hours. Therefore, it could also be ideal to do a single hike or perhaps the more binding along the crest or towards the Sanctuaries: routes or footpaths are numerous, delightful and interesting; they which give a general idea of the area and also offer a brief insight into its exceptional cultural and natural beauty.
|
