The Cinque Terre is a dramatic coastal region situated along the eastern
Ligurian Riviera, specifically within the Spezzina Riviera in the
province of La Spezia. This area stretches from Punta Mesco to Punta di
Montenero and includes five villages—comprising three municipalities and
two hamlets—historically known as "lands." The villages, arranged from
north to south, are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola,
and Riomaggiore.
Since 1997, this region has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site for following reasons:
"The Committee decided to inscribe this site considering that the eastern Ligurian Riviera
between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a cultural site of outstanding
value, representing the harmonious interaction between people and nature
to produce a landscape of exceptional scenic quality that illustrates a
traditional way of life that has existed for a thousand years and
continues to play an important socio-economic role in the life of the
community".
"The Committee decided to inscribe this site considering that the eastern Ligurian Riviera between Cinque Terre and Portovenere is a cultural site of outstanding value, representing the harmonious interaction between people and nature to produce a landscape of exceptional scenic quality that illustrates a traditional way of life that has existed for a thousand years and continues to play an important socio-economic role in the life of the community".
One of Italy's most appealing coastal spots
Due to its geographical and anthropogenic features, the Cinque Terre is one of Italy's most appealing coastal spots.
The rugged landscape is softened by terraced fields, or "fasce," that drop toward the sea. Villages are located where land meets sea, following the hills' natural curves.
Over time, human activity has shaped this area by creating the famous terraces on steep slopes, using this agricultural method to optimize steep land, resulting in a unique Ligurian landscape.
In 1997, the Cinque Terre, along with Portovenere and the islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site at La Spezia's request.
In 1998, the Ministry of the Environment established the Cinque Terre Marine Protected Area to protect the environment and promote socio-economic development. In 1999, the Cinque Terre National Park was created to maintain ecological balance and protect the region's landscape and cultural values.
The climate
With the exception of most of the Riviera dei Fiori and the eastern area near the city of Genoa (between Nervi and Camogli), this is the area of Liguria that shows the mildest average temperatures during the winter season, with values typically hovering around a pleasant +9 °C. This consistently favorable climate not only enhances the natural beauty of the region but also makes the Cinque Terre particularly attractive, drawing in large influxes of winter tourism, where visitors can experience its charm without the crowds that gather in the warmer months.
On October 25, 2011, a powerful and heavy rainstorm struck the northern part of the Cinque Terre, specifically impacting the towns of Monterosso and Vernazza. This severe weather event led to a catastrophic flood that resulted in extensive damage to both villages, leaving a lasting mark on the landscape and community.
Nature and Environment
The Cinque Terre have among their main characteristics the uniqueness of the territory on which they are located. In this sense, the work of anthropization that humans have carried out over the centuries in perfect harmony with the environment and in respect of biodiversity is significant.
Off the coast, the Cinque Terre Marine Protected Area has been established between Punta Mesco and Punta di Montenero, both classified as zone A. The reserve aims to protect flora and fauna that, due to the rocky structure of the coast, present uncommon features at shallow depths compared to the rest of the Mediterranean.
Off the coast, the
In the spirit of respecting marine bottoms , the municipality of Riomaggiore uses anchoring systems for boats that arrive in the bay of the village to avoid damaging the seabed.
Riomaggiore was the first Italian village to be equipped with a cable television system connected to a single receiving parabolic antenna owned by the Municipality, which banned the use of conventional roof antennas to preserve the aesthetics of the landscape. The system allows reception of, in addition to major Italian and foreign broadcasters, a series of local networks, including the channel of the municipal administration and that of the Cinque Terre National Park (TeleParco5Terre), as well as some channels that broadcast images from fixed cameras capturing the landscape and the seabed. The satellite network of Sky is also transmitted to users through the municipal system thanks to an agreement.
