"Vernazza"
A gem in the Cinque Terre is the picturesque village of Vernazza. Many paths in this tiny village lead to one main cobbled street which winds its way to the town square right on the waterfront. In the town square there are cafes, and tower shaped houses overlooking the harbour. Small fishing boats painted in blue adorn the dock and beach in the "postage stamp" harbour of Vernazza which is the only natural port in the Cinque Terre. Vernazza has a natural pier with an amphitheatre shape making it perhaps the most photographed village of the Cinque Terre.
"Vulnetia" or "Vernacia" are the ancient Latin names of Vernazza which is considered the pearl of the Cinque Terre. The intricate layout of this village with its "carruggi" (narrow lanes) and steep stairways meet in the main square which is by the sea. The church dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antiochia (1318) has the foundations in the sea. On the opposite side, built on the promontory, dominated by a watch tower are the remains of the "Castello", the castle once necessary to prevent pirates attacks.
Vernazza was a Roman settlement and later had a strategical importance during the age of the Maritime Republics in Genoa. It was also famous for its carpenters. We suggest a walk in the village that . In the small square, overlooking the seaside, there is the church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia.
Pleasant, generally warm to hot weather continues from March to the end of October. High season tourist time is from June to September. If you do not like being part of the tourist trade system it is best to make the trip outside of this peak time. Even so, Vernazza is a popular retreat all year round so it is advisable that you pre-book accommodation, and recheck with the hotel again before travelling.
If you arrive in Vernazza by train you enter the village from the platform via the main cobbled alleyway. It is a steep descent through the village, winding its way down to open out on the Piazza at the small natural harbour. Aromas of coffee and Italian Pizzas waft out from the small restaurants, cafés and shops to immediately bombard the senses.
If you arrive in Vernazza by ferry you enter the village from the harbour. This way is a steep ascent after you have negotiated your way through the well-worn rocky outcrop, which is the ferry, dropping off point. Local fishermen use the sheltered harbour behind the man made breakwater, as it has been for centuries. The smell of fishing permeates the air for most of the day.
Open-air restaurants on the harbour wharf in Vernazza are ideal for a relaxed breakfast and soaking up the fresh sea air in the sunshine. Pizzas can be ordered throughout the day at any of the other restaurants in the village. The Hotel Gianni restaurant for an evening meal offered an extensive menu, including local delicacies using locally caught fish. Service and food were excellent.
It is extremely pleasant to sit in the sunshine on the rocks or the wharf and just “veg out” in the quiet tranquillity of the surroundings. You can enjoy strolling around to buy locally made handicrafts and produce from the tiny shops whose wares overflow into the small streets and alleyways, displayed in a wonderful array of colours.
To admire the unique qualities of the village you need to get to the best vantage point. Follow the signs for the “Costello”, climbing up the alleyway steps to the medieval fortifications built into the highest cliffs above the Hotel Gianni. A very small entrance fee gets you into the Costello museum and to the ruins. From the ruins and the round tower you are presented with a spectacular panorama of the village and coastline.
