Italy - Vernazza

The Cinque Terreis a string of five old fishing villages perched high on the rugged coastline of the east end of the Italian Riviera in Liguria. Until recently they were linked only by mule tracks and accessible only by rail or water. Nowadays Cinque Terre is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It's also one of the most sought-after travel destinations in all of Italy. The five villages are no longer the isolated hamlets they once were, but there’s still a feeling of authenticity, with few roads and perfectly preserved architecture.

Vernazza is the only village of the famous Cinque Terre (Five Villages) to be included in the list of borghi più belli d'Italia (most beautiful villages of Italy). It is the most prosperous village of the Cinque Terre, partly due to the somewhat larger harbour, guarded by a watch tower, which was once part of the impressive Castello Doria.

Vernazza has a long history: the village was probably founded around the year 1000. It was ruled by the Republic of Genoa starting in 1276. One of the families that helped to found Vernazza is said to have given its name to the village: the Gens Vulnetia. Vernazza is said to be a corruption of this family name.

The church Santa Margherita d'Antiochia, which was built in 1318, lies directly on the village square and harbour. The octagonal, 40-meters bell tower rises proudly, like a lighthouse for the colourful fishing boats.

We were exploring Cinque Terre by train. Believe it or not, when we got out of Vernazza station we came across of Dutch acquaintances from our home town among the thousands and thousands of tourists.