When was cinque terre built

Manarola, the fourth of the five lands, is located in the immediate proximity of Riomaggiore, but it is much more ancient. It is not certain whether the first urban core has pre-Romanic origins, but its name derives from Manium Arula, which means the altar of the Mani gods. Abandoned during the Middle Ages, the village was repopulated in the twelfth century by immigrants from a nearby village located higher on the cliff.

Just like the other three, it was first ruled by local noble families; then it passed under the Republic of Genoa in Arranged on the banks of a stream, the village is partially grouped on a rocky outcrop and partially aligned to the stream along the valley. In fact, it is believed that it was only founded in the seventh century, much later compared to its other four counterparts. Some evidence suggests that it was founded by a group of immigrants from the nearby village Montenero, located further up on the hill.

Following the history of the other four villages, Riomaggiore was first ruled by the nobles, then conquered by the Republic of Genoa. So different and yet so similar, the villages and the land on which they emerged share a rich common history.

The first evidence of human presence in the area of Cinque Terre and its surroundings is attested since the Paleolithic era. Some deposits that suggest the presence of early settlements were found at Grotta dei Colombi, where the remains of animal burials, bones, flint artifacts, and fossils suggest the rise of the first civilizations in the region.

Remains from the Neolithic era also suggest the interest of the early populations in the region, as shown by some primitive axes, indicating that the area was inhabited by hunters who may have had either a permanent or temporary settlement in the caves and rock shelters on the steep slopes. Hunting probably represented a primary subsistence resource for millennia, perhaps until the Roman times.

Surviving over the centuries are menhirs found in the area of Campiglia Tramonti. According to some historians, these stones could have been either a place of worship or might have had a function related to the calendar. The first Ligurian tribes arrived in the area during the Bronze Age, settling in small villages known as Castellari due to their dominant position and prevailing defensive function.

One of these early villages is Mount Castellaro, located near Cinque Terre. Excavations here have brought to light a considerable number of artifacts, including fragments of decorated vases — a clear indicator of a stable and important settlement. The Romans arrived in the region during the Augustan Age, and their military chronicles testify how the local tribes represented a strong obstacle to the Romanization of the territory.

In fact, the Romans settled and concentrated their activity in the Val di Magra initially. Later on, it is believed that part of the Ligurian populations abandoned the settlements on the summits to join the Roman colonists. There is no material or documentary evidence that demonstrates the possible Roman origin of the villages of Cinque Terre as we know them today. Nevertheless, the Latin origin of some of their names suggests that the ancient prehistoric coastal road was used by the Romans and that they gave rise to these settlements, or at least contributed to their development.

The villages of the Cinque Terre gained their current structure between the eleventh and twelfth centuries when the populations of Val di Vara surpassed the coastal chain that separated the valley from the sea and settled permanently on the coast, grouping in the five villages.

The oldest official document that attests to the formation of Cinque Terre dates back to March , showing that the first village to be established was Monterosso, to which the local marquis donated the monasteries of Santa Maria and San Venerio, as well as lands on the islands of Palmaria, Tinetto, Tino, and in Porto Venere.

This whole migratory phenomenon might seem awkward, because historically speaking, most settlements in the area developed on the same land where the first proto-urban nuclei had been settled by the primitive civilizations. However, the phenomenon is linked to two historical events concerning all of Europe in the era, the demographic increase in most regions and the temporary attenuation of the Saracen threat. Besides these events, the coastline also enjoyed a milder climate, which allowed the cultivation of vines and olives.

In fact, the villages of Cinque Terre were not born as fishing villages, but as agricultural settlements in a territory that was not naturally suited for agricultural practice. This explains the terracing of the slopes that give the characteristic aspect to this enchanted land. Naturally though, as the mountaineers got accustomed with the sea, they became more and more familiar with the marine element.

They first started to use the sea as a faster and more effective communication route with the surrounding villages. Then, the sea became a source of sustenance. As such, the population divided its activities between agriculture and fishing, according to the needs and seasons. Vernazza, above all, gained a lot of power and influence thanks to its natural port, enough to ally with Genoa in the war against Pisa in After decades of struggle, the village finally succumbed to Genoa in , alongside all other villages in Cinque Terre.

A large environmental engineering work: 4, cubic metres of wall — 2 metres high per hectare for a total of 8,, cubic metres, 3, linear metres of wall per hectare, for a total of 6, km of wall, above the ray of the Earth. Search form Search. Photo gallery Virtual Tour Video Download. Book now only accommodation online. Harsh conflicts on a hostile war round that was a tempting conquest for who aspired to tactical points on the Mediterranean Sea.

In fact, because of its strategic position on the Mediterranean Sea for centuries went through the anger of ruthless populations of diverse empires. Even earlier, this maritime centre had been besieged by the barbaric tribes coming from the north of Europe, then by Byzantines, by Lombards. Also its tactical location for business and soldierly interests, the residents from the Valley of Vara began to settle on the coast and change this area naturally wild and hostile to man. The first villages next to the sea were formed.

The origin of this village dates back to the Roman times. The oldest core, formed on the hill of S. Cristoforo, began to play a significant role of protection in the 7th century, during the Longobard attacks. In the Middle Age, the zone was disputed by various noble families, but it was at last ruled by the Republic of Genoa. The village is spread over two bays, in that of the Bruanco River, to the East, there is the historical core the old town , while the settlement situated in the inlet of Fegina, to the West, has developed more recently the railway station is found here.

In , the Italian government built a railroad line into the city, which opened it up to the outside world. It is the main way in which people enter the city. The population is of residents, and in recent times the tourist business has overwhelmed the agricultural practice.