Monterosso

Monterosso is the last and largest of the 5 villages along the Cinque Terre strip. Monterosso is the most visited largely because it has the only sizable sandy beach and the biggest hotels.

The town is divided into two parts: the old town and the new town, also called Fegina. These two halves are connected by a tunnel used by pedestrians and the few cars that enter and exit the town.

In the west, the new village of Fegina with a sandy beach running along the cost line and the old town is characterized by typical narrow medieval streets with multicolor terraced houses.

Monterosso is known for their lemon trees that can be seen throughout Monterosso. It is also renowned for its white wines, grapes, and olives.

The train from Riomaggiore to Monterosso takes around 14 minutes and the distance is about 5 miles.

We are headed to the newer part of town Fegina.

The new area, Fegina, dates from the late 19th and into the 20th century when the train line arrived in the Cinque Terre and brought these sleepy villages into the modern world.

Monterosso beach on the left and lots of stores lining the promenade.

Monterosso's long stretch of beach is the only sandy beach in Cinque Terre.

The beach with colorful umbrellas and lounging chairs for rent.

I can only imagine how busy it is in the summer months.

We are headed toward the end of the town.

A square for people to rest and enjoy the view.

Benches for people to sit and to enjoy the view of the sea.

Boats docking on the beach. We are headed toward the end of the beach.

At the end of the beach is a statue of Il Gigante (the Giant), a stone sculpture located at the end of Fegina Beach, representing Neptune, the god of the sea.

Built from concrete in 1910 and stands 46 foot tall.

During WWII the statue was partially ruined by bombardments and further deteriorated by the rough sea. It is now blending into the rocky landscape without an arm, his trident and the massive seashell it once held.

We are now on Via Fegina, the main street that is parallel with the beach.

Old building with a huge tower.

A Focaccia store, it is very popular in Cinque Terre.

Focaccia is light, lofty hybrid of pizza and bread originated in the Ligurian city of Genoa but it is found all over Italy.

All types of Focaccia that is serve just like pizza.

Proper focaccia is fluffy yet crunchy, salty, and glistening with olive oil. Variations may incorporate rosemary, garlic or onions, or are studded with olives, tomatoes, or other vegetables.

Santa Maria Nasvente-Figina, a very small church on the main street.

On the left is the famous Miky restaurant. We had a reservation for tomorrow but had to cancel at the last minute as we decided to go sunset boating instead.

We are on via Fegina, the main street in the new part of town.

Gorgeous view from this area.

We are now walking from via Fegina to the old town. Huge rock on the beach.

We are toward the San Cristofora hill located at the end of the Fegina town. The beach is behind us.

To get to the Old Town you can either go through the tunnel (left) or go up the Cristofora hill and make a left for a scenic view.

The picture of the left is the town of Fegina (new town) and on the right at the end is the Aurora tower which is the beginning of the Old Town.

On top of the hill is the Aurora tower.

A nice bench over looking the sea

The tower was part of a larger defensive system that included several buildings, of which only three remain today. Probably built in the sixteenth century, today it is in a private house and partly a lounge bar and restaurant.

Iron gate inside the tower looking out into the sea.

A few locks are hanging, perhaps from people wanting to leave a souvenir.

We are now on the San cristofora hill overlooking at the beach.

Gorgeous view from here.

Boat docking near the pier.

NEXT.... Day 6-Old town, Monterosso