Sightseeing in Manarola - what to see. Complete travel guide
A town with a melodic name, Manarola is a beautiful place and one of the settlements in the Italian park of Cinque Terre. Tourists from all over the world arrive in this town to see unusual houses painted in different colors. This fabulous settlement still has many old buildings that peacefully border with new and modern dwellings. Upon arrival in Manarola, many people get a feeling that they are in some old and good fairytale. It feels like everything is possible and magic is alive here. Besides its rich historic heritage and unique look, the town greets its guests with exquisite Italian wine that has become a hit worldwide.
Manarola is a medieval town. According to historical data, the first mentions of this Italian settlement date back to the Roman Empire period. At that time, a settlement called Volastra was on the site of the modern town. Ancient documents state that a small fishing village existed in the area in 1338. Later, this village became bigger and changed its name to Manarola. The name of the town is original, and it is not clearly known why the settlement got this name. There is a theory that Manarola is, perhaps, a form of the Latin “magna rota”, which means “a large wheel”.
What attractions can travelers find in Manarola? Of course, the sea is the first thing that attracts numerous guests to this Italian town. The coastal area is incredibly clean in this region. This is not surprising because Cinque Terre is widely recognized for its high environmental standards. That being said, it would be an exaggeration to say that local beaches are great. As the town is built upon rocks, tourists cannot find any sand beaches here. The coastal area has a rocky terrain. Regardless of this, tourists enjoy relaxing in Manarola. This settlement is like a magnet for all fans of diving. Special stairs are leading down to the water. Tourists need to be extra careful when using them because there is a risk of falling to sharp rocks.
Numerous yachts and motorboats dock in Manarola every day. They offer to make an unforgettable journey and explore the beauty of the region from the sea. There are also boats that take passengers to other settlements in the Cinque Terre Park. Are you a fan of diving? In this case, hurry up and make a sea voyage, during which you will be able to make an underwater excursion and see the local marine life in detail.
Besides various sea-based activities and beach recreation, tourists can spend many pleasant moments in Manarola if they decide to see local attractions. There is a church that honors Saint Lorenzo roughly four hundred meters from the central street of the town. This building is an interesting combination of Gothic and Baroque styles. The church was built in 1338. Local people particularly respect holy martyr Lorenzo, so the image of the saint decorates the façade of the gorgeous church.
It is time to describe another legend of this region – the Path of Love or the Way of Love. This road, which connects the “fairytale” town to the nearby town of Riomaggiore, has made Manarola famous. Why does this road, which looks ordinary at a glance, have such an interesting name? According to local legends, residents of the two nearby settlements were on bad terms. However, despite this hostility, a young man and woman from the different settlements fell in love with each other. Their love was so strong that no tensions and arguments of the residents could make them forget each other.
The lovers tried to hide their relationship from their families as much as they could. Every day, they walked on this path to meet and spend some time together. As their relationship was developing, the girl eventually became pregnant and her parents found out everything. Needless to say, the parents were enraged and demanded to reveal the name of the baby’s father. The girl left her house in a hurry and ran on the path, shouting the name of her lover. The young man heard it and ran towards his love.
When the couple reached the central point of the path between the two villages, they joined hands and jumped off the rock. The sea scattered their dead bodies. The girl’s body reached the alien village, and the young man’s body appeared near the girl’s house. Only when the young lovers were dead, residents of the two villages realized that their hostilities and arguments were a big mistake. The road connecting the two settlements has become the Path of Love since that time. Nowadays, there is a monument that reminds of that tragic love.
It is comfortable to get to Manarola by train. If you are heading from Rome, you will need to make a change in La Spezia. There is a train to the fairytale Italian town from this city. The time in transit is roughly four hours. When traveling from Genoa, the journey time is twice shorter. However, travelers still need to make a change in this case. If you travel in a car, you need route SP370.
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City tours, excursions and tickets in Manarola and surroundings
Reference information
Map of all shopping areas
Shopping streets in Manarola
♥ Shopping area ' Corso Cavour' La Spezia, 6.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Shopping area ' Via Prione' La Spezia, 6.9 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Shopping area ' Via Chiodo' La Spezia, 7.1 km from the center. On the map
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Map of all castles
Survived castles around Manarola
♥ Castle 'Castle' Corniglio, 4.9 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello di San Giorgio' La Spezia, 7 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello di Porto Venere' Porto Venere, 10.4 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Castello Lerici' Lerici, 14.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ Castle 'Fortezza di Sarzanello' Sarzana, 19 km from the center. On the map
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Map of all parks
National and city parks around Manarola
♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale delle Cinque Terre' , 2.5 km from the center. On the map
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♥ National Park 'Parco nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano' , 54 km from the center. On the map
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Sights around Manarola from our guide 'Extreme places on Earth'
Piazza dei Miracoli
From the series “16 Most Fascinating Objects of Unesco in Italy”
Check on the map: Distance from Manarola center - 68.3 km.
Another significant place is the Campo Santo, also known as Camposanto Monumentale. It is a historical edifice at the northern edge of the Cathedral Square in Pisa. Couloir was built in the 1278 year and finished 1464. Today it is a very valuable architecturally building. All these historical buildings around the picturesque square are united in a valuable architectural complex …
Read further Distance from Manarola center - 68.3 km.
Vernazza
From the series “Amazing Cities on the Rocks”
Check on the map: Distance from Manarola center - 5 km.
The Church of St. Margaret of Antioch is the town's main attraction. Its construction began in the 11th century. It was originally a striking example of the Romanesque style. It was completed with original Baroque elements after reconstruction in the mid-18th century. The palace with galleries is located near the temple. It is considered one of the most luxurious buildings in the town. Some of the old fortification walls and towers of the 16th century have been preserved here. A striking monument from the 17th century is located in the immediate vicinity. This is the Church of St. Francis. Fans of historical sites will be able to walk around the grounds of the Doria Castle. It was built in the 11th century. A magnificent view of the surrounding area opens from its territory. …
Read further Distance from Manarola center - 5 km.
Car rental on OrangeSmile.com
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The Hilton Kyoto hotel will be attractive to a wide range of guests. Leisure travelers will appreciate the close proximity to famous attractions such as Heian and Yasaka Temples, the Kyoto Imperial Palace, and the scenic Gion Historical District. In a few minutes, guests can reach the metro stations, the path to the sights of interest will not take much time.
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Search touristic sites on the map of Manarola
All about Manarola, Italy - sightseeings, attractions, touristic spots, architecture, history, culture and cuisine. Prepare your trip together with OrangeSmile.com - find out the 'must see' things in Manarola, which places to visit, which excursions to take, where the breathtaking views are waiting for you. Planning your trip with this travel guide will help your to get the most out of Manarola in few days.
