This area was formed in the tertiary period and has been eroded through the years into the little peninsulas and bays we see today, from Punta Cavo (Montenero) to Punta Mesco. This is the home of the famous Cinqueterre villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso.
In spite of the difficult ground, the people of this area were able to cultivate the narrow terraced strips of land above the sea, called “fasce”, by constructing numerous retaining walls. It could have been the salty air coming from the sea and the farmers’ hard work which have given that special sweetness to the grapes, that peculiar taste to the olives and the unique flavour of the lemons.
Although the Romans rebuilt the Etruscan roads to favour trade exchanges, le Cinqueterre remained a forgotten outpost all through the Repubblica di Genova period and that is why the area has preserved its natural beauty.
Reaching le Cinqueterre is still difficult today; the only access is through panoramic winding roads or by local trains which stop in each village. The difficult access guarantees its unique setting in the world.
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