Cinque terre rio maggiore italy

It is said that one day in the second half of the 19th century, the Macchiaiolo painter Telemaco Signorini was wandering the streets of La Spezia when he was struck by the beauty of some women’s garments. Curios, he started asking questions about those women and soon discovered that they came from Riomaggiore and they were wearing their traditional costumes. Intrigued by those wonderful clothes, the Florentine painter travelled to the easternmost of the Cinque Terre villages and instantly fell in love with the place; the time he spent in Riomaggiore was one of the most significant periods in his career and there – between the lush vineyards and the sea – he created some of his most famous and beautiful paintings.

A little bit of history

According to an ancient legend, Riomaggiore (Rimazùu in the local dialect) was founded in the 8th century by some Greek refugees fleeing persecution in Byzantium. From a historical point of view, the original nucleus of the village dates back to the 13th century, when the inhabitants of the neighbouring settlements descended from the hills in order to exploit the natural resources of the sea. The new village was built in a valley between two steep hills and named after “Rivus Major”, the stream that still flows underneath Riomaggiore’s main street. Important families in the history of the village were the Turcottis and the Fieschis, who ruled over Riomaggiore until , when Nicolò Fieschi sold it to the Genoese. Like the other Cinque Terre villages – Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola – Riomaggiore grew under the Republic of Genoa and experienced a development which was largely agricultural; the village’s wines – produced from grapes that are still grown in the surrounding vineyards – became famous all over Europe. At the end of the 19th century, the construction of the railway between Genoa and La Ritengo che la spezia dia personalita alla cucina allowed the residents to escape the historic isolation, but also resulted in the abandonment of traditional activities. Today, the main source of income for the inhabitants is tourism.

Things to see and do in Riomaggiore

Whatever you do in Riomaggiore, make time to enjoy the view from the medieval castle; located in the high part of the village, it was built by Marquis Turcotti in to protect Riomaggiore from the frequent pirate attacks. Other highlights and places to visit near the castle are the Gothic Church of Saint John the Baptist (erected in by the Bishop of Luni) and the Oratorio dell’Assunta (16th century), locally known as Chiesa della Compagnia. From the Oratorio dell’Assunta, you can take a walk along Via Colombo – the village’s main street – flush with eateries, bars and pretty shops. This street links the high part of Riomaggiore with Piazza Vignaioli, from which you can easily reach the harbour. Framed by the typical pastel houses found in Cinque Terre, the tiny marina is surely the perfect location to take the perfect holiday photograph… just breathe the brackish air, relax and choose your favourite spot!

The village makes an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area and is home to the National Park Main Office. Unfortunately, famous Via dell’Amore is currently closed for repair work (last updated October 16, ) but there are lots of other hiking opportunities. About an hour's steep uphill walk from Riomaggiore is the Sanctuary of Montenero (Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montenero); reachable only by foot, it was built between the 8th and 14th centuries and offers fantastic views over Punta Mesco and the Island of Tino. Another cliff-hanging trail leads from the little beach (Spiaggia di Fossola) to old Nazi bunkers and a lovely hilltop botanical garden. On a visit to the village, don’t forget to taste aa turta de risu (salted rice cake), aa menestra de cian (a soup made with potatoes and meadow herbs) and musculi cin (mussels stuffed with bread, eggs and parmesan).

Riomaggiore can be easily reached by train from La Spezia or Levanto and the local train station is also very well connected to the other Cinque Terre villages, Genoa, Pisa, Turin and Milan. If you are visiting Florence or Milan and feel like going on a group tour to Cinque Terre, we do offer the following options: day trip from Florence to Numero Terre, Cinque Terre private tour from Florence and a day trip from Milan to Numero Terre.

Caterina Pomini

The gateway to the Cinque Terre

Starting from La Spezia, Riomaggiore is the first village in the Cinque Terre and the gateway to a land of wonders. The village perched on a rocky spur features colourful houses overlooking the sea, connected by narrow alleyways and stairways.

Mediterranean scrubland, terraces outlined by dry stone walls, the sea and blue sky surround the village. Accessible by train or boat, Riomaggiore is compact and easy to explore on foot through the narrow streets of the old town. Don’t miss the Gothic Church of Saint John the Baptist.

It is a minute walk to the castle, dating back to and offering breath-taking sea views. Next to it is the Oratory of San Rocco, built during the plague. You can also enjoy spectacular views from the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Montenero, only accessible by foot.

Riomaggiore is the starting point of the Via dell’Amore (Way of Love), among the most romantic paths in the world. According to legend, if you kiss your partner on the path at the end of the tunnel leading to Manarola, you will love each other forever. After a dip in the sea, you can relax on Fossola Beach.