Corniglia

Corniglia is the smallest village in Cinque Terre with a population of less than 200 people. The town is located on the top of a promontory about 328 ft. high and surrounded by vineyard and terraces.

Founded by a wealthy Roman landowner, Corniglia was famous for its wine, which was sold at least as far away as Pompeii, on the southern Italian peninsula. Little is known about Corniglia after the fall of Rome, but in the 13th century, it became part of the Republic of Genoa. Today, Corniglia is still famous for its wine but it is the least visited because of the hike up the town.

Map of the 5 villages in Cinque Terre. Corniglia is in the middle of Cinque Terre.

We took the train from Manorala to Corniglia and the travel is about 2 minutes.

The train line runs along the coast and the village is up above.

Long Pathway from the train station connecting to the way up to Corniglia.

The only way to get to the village is to climb up a staircase called the Lardarian that zigzags up to top of the hill.

There are 380 steps to reach the top and this is the only way up. There is no road so everyone living in the village will have to take the stairs.

In this picture you can see the train railway way at the bottom.

Fortunately the stairs are wide and there are plenty of places to stop and catch your breath.

Corniglia is surrounded by vineyards.

Farmers carved the rocky and steep hillside to make it productive. The grapes are grown on terraced fields which are called “fasce” in the local dialect. Their specialties include the white wine of Vernaccia di Corniglia which was known as far back as the 1300's

Houses on a steep hill.

View from the top of the stairs.

Train tracks below and you can also see Riomaggiore from here.

View of Riomaggiore from Corniglia.

The main square in Corniglia.

Terrace from the main square overlooking the sea.

Small streets leading to the center of the higher part of the village.

This parish church, dedicated to St. Peter, the patron saint of Corniglia, is the first landmark you'll reach after you reached the top. The church dates to the 1300s and is noteworthy for its Baroque interior and a rose window formed of white Carrara marble.

The facade built with local grey stone in Gothic-Genovese style was built on the remaining of a previous building.

The main nave is supported by a Baroque barrel vault and retains a baptismal font from the 12th century and a polyptych on the altar at the end of the right aisle.