Jaap van 't Veen's photos

The current parish church Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista (Church of San Juan Bautista) was built between the year 1244 and 1307. It was remodeled in the Baroque period and more recently between 1963 and 1964. The facade , which dates from 1307, is made of alternating vestments of white marble and dark green serpentine. The central rose window in white marble is a splendid example of ornate Gothic. The lace-like ornamentation shows from the central button, eighteen smooth and twisted columns. The interior structure has a basilica plan and a division of three naves and for its characteristics, represents a pure Genoese Gothic style. The altar greater and the masonry wood , were commissioned in 1734. The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista is one of the oldest churches in Cinque Terre.

The Cinque Terre is 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. Monterosso al Mare - the most populated village of Cinque Terre - is divided into two parts, divided by a pedestrian tunnel. To the west the residential; area with a long sandy beach, railway station, hotels and restaurants. To the east the old town with a small harbour and beach and the typical tower-houses painted with bright colours and narrow medieval alleys. A first settlement is mentioned in the 9th century. Shortly after the year 1000, the inhabitants began to descend into the natural inlet and the small town began to increase in number and was protected by town walls. In 1545 the village was the victim of a terrible raid by Barbary pirates led by the Ottoman corsair Dragut. With the arrival of Napoleon, Monterosso followed the vicissitudes of French domination and the birth of the Kingdom of Italy. Monterosso al Mare was the last village in Cinque Terre we visited. To be honest it was the least exciting of the five villages. It feels more like an "average" summer resort with its long beach and several hotels.

The Cinque Terre is 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.

Graft - then still called Greft - is first mentioned around the year 1100. At that time it was located much more to the west, possibly along the Vuile Graft , a small lake in the neighbourhood. Later the village was built on its present location. Originally the inhabitants lived from arable and livestock farming. Later the women worked mostly on small farms and the men on herring boats. On the town hall of Graft both means of livelihood can still be found: on the street side the coat of arms of Graft with the cow and on the south side a herring boat. In the 17th century Graft was a prosperous village. This is easily visible from the old town hall, built in 1613: a real eye catcher with three stepped gables built in Dutch Renaissance style. It was not only used as a meeting room for the village council, but also served to give the village more prestige. Although the name of the master builder is not known, because of its style it is thought it must have been a pupil of the famous Dutch architect Hendrick de Keyser. At the end of the 19th century the building was in poor condition; around 1900 the top facade on the street side had disappeared. In 1909/1910 it was extensively restored, followed by a major facelift in 1982/1983. It now serves as an exhibition space (annex to the museum In 't Houten Huis in De Rijp), wedding location and meeting room.

The Chiesa di San Pietro (St. Peter Church) was built between 1334 and 1351 and has a very sober sandstone façade. The wonderful white Carrara marble rose window has a very elaborate shape, with all different designs and, in the central hole, a deer symbol of the village. The cornice is “saw-toothed”, with hanging arches, some of which are decorated with animal heads. The parish church - with both Gothic and Baroque style characteristics – is one of the most interesting monument of Corniglia and Cinque Terre. The interior - with a basilica plan with three naves - underwent some interventions in the Baroque style. It offers a finely crafted altarpiece and 18th-century paintings.

The ‘Broeker Veiling’ (Broeker Auction) is a Dutch national monument dating back to the year of 1912, when the beautiful auction room was built with details in Jugendstile-style. The impressive mooring halls were added in 1925. The complete wooden structure is built on 1900 wooden piles above the water. These mooring halls protected waiting boats with vegetables for rain and sunshine. This oldest sail-through fruit- and vegatable auction in the world was used till 1973. On this location the Dutch auction – also callede “clock auction” or “open outcry” originated in 1887. Nowadays it is a museum, where one also can take part as a real trader in the auction room.

Due to its hilltop location Corniglia is different to the other Cinque Terre villages. When traveling by train there are two ways to reach the village: a shuttle bus and the Scalinata Lardarina , a stairway with 382 steps, which is divided in 33 ramps. When we arrived in Corniglia, there was a long queue for the (small) bus. We therefore decided to take the stairs. Quite a climb, especially on a warm sunny day. But fortunately, there were plenty of places to stop, enjoy the view and to take photos of the many flowers along the stairs.

Famous Dutch architect Piet Blom built the first kubuswoningen (cube houses) of the Netherlands in Helmond. The first three cube houses were built in 1974 and 1975, as a foretaste of a larger project that would be realized in the years to follow. The project was classified as “experimental” and as a consequence, it was eligible for more government funding. The 18 houses of the follow-up project surrounded a theater (‘t Speelhuis) as one architectonical whole. The theater consisted of 37 cubes and contained three auditoria. In 1974 the foundation stone was laid. On December 3, the construction works reached the highest point of the first cube house. On December 29, 2011, the theater was destroyed in a large fire that also hit the some of the adjoining cube houses. The two damaged cube houses were restored in 2013/2014.

The Cinque Terre is 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. Corniglia is the central village and also the smallest of the Cinque Terre. It is unique compared to the other villages for its position, as it is built on top of a cliff 100 meters above the Mediterranean Sea. That makes the village known as the “Balcony of the Cinque Terre”. N ext to that Corniglia is special because it is the only village of the Cinque Terre where you are not immediately in the middle of the village when you get off the train. Therefore it is a village that many tourists skip. Artifacts found in Pompeii, have historians dating the origins of Corniglia all the way back to the Roman Age. Markings on terracotta containers have helped them deduce even the origins of the name: the words “Gens Cornelia”, which translates into “from the (Roman) family Cornelia”. It is thought that Coniglia was probably a colony of slaves who took on the name Corenila, from the slaveholder who gave them their freedom. Corniglia has a long and rich agricultural tradition. The village is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces. Its architecture is closer to that of a rural inland village than that of a coastal village.

Kasteel Asten (Asten Castle) was first mentioned in 1399, when it was a stone building with the name “Asten”. In the early 15th century the current castle was built by Goosen van Berkel. This castle had an almost square ground plan with 3 wings around a courtyard and a small corner tower, circled by a moat. Between 1575 and 1625 the late-medieval castle was rebuilt into a Renaissance manor by Bernard van Merode. Also the present bailey was built and a second moat was dug. Several repairs were carried out around 1740 but Kasteel Asten was already falling into disrepair. From 1836 on the castle wasn't even permanently inhabited anymore. The empty building then slowly fell to ruin. From 1935 to1942 Kasteel Asten seemed to be saved when it was partially rebuilt by Baron Clemens van Hövell tot Westerflier. It was a rigorous reconstruction, partially based on fantasy. But in 1944 the castle was shelled by German phosphor grenades and destroyed. Nowadays the ruins of Kasteel Asten are privately owned. The buildings in the bailey are used as private residences. The ruins of the castle can be visited for a fee, but only on appointment, with a guide and as part of a group.

The Cinque Terre is 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. Manarola, the second village of the Cinque Terre coming from La Spezia is one of the most picturesque villages, made up of the characteristic perched and colorful tower-houses that overlook the alleys and the main street, where boats are on dry land, which creates an extra attractive image. Manarola develops around the main road that retraces the course of the Groppo stream, which is now covered and no longer visible. Numerous alleyways and stone alleys branch off from the main street, to reach the sides of the promontory and the houses higher up on the rock that reaches up to 70 meters above the Mediterranean Sea. The main road ends at a tiny harbour. Manarola was first mentioned in the second half of the 13th century. Passed under the dominion of Genoa, the town experienced a progressive development, becoming one of the major producers of oil and wine.

The Chiesa San Giovanni Battista is the parish church of Riomaggiore . The church was founded in the year of 1340, as stated in the plaque situated on the southern side of the building. The church is located in the upper part of the village, it was built during a period of economic development. In 1870, following a collapse, a reconstruction of the neo-gothic style façade and an extension of the entire building were carried out, maintaining, however, the 14th century rosette in white Carrara marble. The two gothic style entrances and the single-lancet windows are remaining evidences of the original structure. The church has a basilica plan and three naves separated by elegant pointed arches. It offers several pieces of art, among them a wooden crucifix, a 15th century triptych depicting the Virgin with Child and saints Rocco and Sebastiano and a valuable marble pulpit.

The Cinque Terre is 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. Riomaggiore - the most eastern village of Cinque Terre is the largest of the five and acts more or less as its unofficial ‘headquarters’. The charming village is perched on a terraced hillside and its pastel coloured tower-houses march down to a tiny harbour. The village was originally founded in the 8th century by Greek refugees anxious to take advantage of the naturally rich soil and plentiful sea life surrounding it. Nowadays Riomaggiore however, actually dates back to the 13th century and was named for the stream, Rivus Major, that flows underneath today’s main road “Via Cristoforo Colombo. Only in the nineteenth century the village was reached by the railway, which first connected it to the other villages of the Cinque Terre and then to the rest of Italy. We visited the villages of Cinque Terre from our 'base' Levanto with the "Carta 5 Terre Treno". This card allows unlimited travel by train for one day in the Cinque Terre region.

The Strabrechtse Heide is a nature area about 1500 ha in size. It is largely under the care of Staatsbosbeheer (a Dutch government organization for forestry and the management of nature reserves). The area is the largest continuous heathland area in the province of Noord-Brabant with numerous fens, woods and sand drift areas. Common Heather and Common Juniper are found in the dry areas, and the more marshy wetlands are home to Erica, Purple Moor Grass, Bog Myrtle and Marsh Gentian. The spread of grass across the area is countered by allowing a flock of sheep to graze, by mowing and sod cutting. The heath area is surrounded by forests. \ The nature area was assigned as”Natura 2000” area under the name "Strabrechtse Heide & Beuven".

Framura is on the official list of Italy’s prettiest towns ( Borghi più Belli d’Italia ). The old town is actually made up of four tiny villages clinging to a hillside, one above the other. At sea level is the pretty little harbour, or Porticciolo . The harbour is full of colourful boats and has a bar for a lunch, drink or aperitivo. We visited Framura from Levanto - where we stayed a couple of days - by a short bike trip. The biking/walking path runs through an old restored railway tunnel and is as flat as can be. It offers a couple of snatches of views of the beautiful coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Levanto has a number of bicycle rental companies. However, we were able to use the free bicycles of our hotel (Oasi Hotel).

Kasteel Heeze (Heeze Castle) used to be the centre of the seigneury of “Heeze, Leende and Zesgehuchten”, part of the Duchy of Brabant. In the Middle Ages, it was owned by the de Horne family. In the 17th century Pieter Post designed a new castle, of which the first part was built in 1665. After his death, the work was completed in a modified form by his son Maurits Post. Due to the rising costs of importing all building materials from other regions of the country, the build of the Post design was halted early and never finished. For this reason, the part of the castle that is used by the current owners was actually meant to be the servants' quarters. The biggest part of the castle was to be built behind the first courtyard. In 1733, Baron Adam de Holbach bought the property, which he gave to his nephew, Paul de Holbach, as a marriage present. In 1760 the castle was bought by Jan Maximiliaan van Tuyll van Serooskerken. This family has lived in the castle ever since. Part of Kasteel Heeze is used extensively for parties, including many wedding ceremonies.

The year of construction of the Romanesque Chiesa di Sant’Andrea (Church of St. Andrew) is not exactly known. Certainly the church is mentioned several times in 13th-century documents, including one dated “1222”, the year of the hypothetical start of work on the building of the church. On the other hand, it is certain, from the references on the façade and on the first pillar on the right, that the church was consecrated on 20 May 1463, after the new enlargement works which started in 1450. The slender columns of the nave pick up the decorative motif of alternating bands already, also present on the façade. Its actual look is due to the restorations made between the end of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century. The façade is covered by a marble facing with alternating bands of white Carrara marble and green serpentinite, a decorative motif typical of Genoese Gothic architecture. The remarkable has a magnificent rose window. The interior of the church offers several works of art, an 18th-century main altar and a red marble baptismal font. We came across the Chiesa di Sant’Andrea during a city walk. We found it on a leaflet from the local tourist information office, although the route was not very clear at some points.

Levanto - about 5.600 inhabitants - is a coastal town, located along the Italian Riviera between Genua and La Spezia. The town is bordering - and a good starting point for exploring - the well known villages of Cinque Terre. It is sharing with them large areas of the National Park and the Protected Marine Reserve. Levanto has a historical center, nowadays completely pedestrian. The town still has a medieval feel due to the presence of the old castle dating from the 1200', the old city wall and bell tower. Levanto also has many churches, which include the Chiesa di Sant’Andrea from 1222 and the San Nicolo and San Siro churches, which date back to the 11th century. Among these things, Levanto is home to a UNESCO-listed 13th-century loggia, a rare example of late medieval architecture that survives intact up to the present. The town and its medieval villages are nestled amidst a wide valley of olive groves, vineyards and Mediterranean maquis. The valley opens up in sandy or pebbly beaches. Levanto was the first stop on our journey through Liguria. We did sleep in a nice hotel - Oasi Hotel - close to the centre of the town with also very friendly staff.