The Cinque Terre
The spectacular landscapes and the folk tales from the area’s seafaring tradition have made the Cinque Terre a splendid tourist destination that every year attracts visitors from all over the world.
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The spectacularly enchanting landscape of the Cinque Terre has no equal, symbolising how Man has adapted to live in complete harmony with Nature here, nestled within the rich variety of colours and splendid scenery that continue to be a source of inspiration for artists and poets worldwide.
The views the Cinque Terre is famous for feature large expanses of vineyards and olive groves, stretching for hundreds of kilometres alongside dry-stone walls that sculpt and embellish the mountain ranges looking straight out onto the sea, carved out into the rock for generations upon generations to create opportunities for farming. Thanks to these efforts, both locals and visitors are able to enjoy the superb local wines, lemons and olive oil, indispensable ingredients in the typical cuisine of the Liguria region. |
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The coastal villages of the Cinque Terre are encircled with typical Mediterranean maquis and inhabited by hundreds of animal species that come together to form a setting of priceless beauty and natural heritage. The Cinque Terre National Park area is a nature oasis that has remained unspoilt for centuries and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In addition to its marvellous nature, the Cinque Terre is also rich in culture and steeped in history. The fishing villages that make up the area are even older than the town of La Spezia they gravitate around today, and for many centuries went about their business along the mule tracks and paths in the mountains linking the inland areas to the sea.
The earliest human settlements we are aware of in the area stretch back to 3000 years BC, although it was not until the end of the nineteenth century that the area emerged from its isolation from the rest of the world, thanks to the newly established rail links between Genoa and La Spezia. |
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