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some practical information for visiting Cinque Terre

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Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore Le CInque terre

The first documents testifying the presence of the village of Riomaggiore date back to the 13th century, but the village is said to be much older, with origins dating back to the 8th century, since it was supposed to be founded by a group of refugees coming from Magna Grecia.  In year 1251 it became a feud of the Lords Turcotti di Bugnato, who gave it to the Fieschi family in 1270. The Fischi family already owned some possessions in the Gulf of Laspezia and inland, and was aiming at further expansion, but the disputes inside the Republic brought their plans to an end, and Riomaggiore passed in the hands of Genoa.

Barche alle 5 terreRiomaggiore has the typical structure of the villages situated at the bottom of torrent-like valleys, with steep walls and a narrow bottom.

Therefore, the landscape is typically vertical, all made of stairs and flight of steps. The main street is a covered channel. The torrent Rivus Maior, which the village took its name from, runs underneath. Houses are typically in the shape of tower, with one or more floors to better exploit the few space available. Up a promontory rises on a very high position the Castle, built around the 12th century to defend the village from the barbaric attacks coming from the sea.

The complex is very well kept, and it is constituted by a square town wall, with two massive watching towers on the highest point. Worth a visit is the church of Saint John Baptist, whose façade was rebuilt in neoclassical style in year 1870. Inside there are three naves divided by columns, with three rectangular chapels, while on the opposite side there are some lateral accesses with acute arch portals, decorated with proto romantic elements.