Monterosso al Mare
Discovering Monterosso al Mare
Hello everyone! Today we will talk about Monterosso al Mare, a town in Liguria that is part of the famous Cinque Terre. It is the most populous of the five villages and has about 1356 inhabitants.
The physical geography of Monterosso al Mare
The town is located in the center of a small natural gulf, protected by an artificial cliff, to the east of Punta Mesco in the Spezia Riviera. It is considered the westernmost part of the Cinque Terre.
Moving west, we find the village of Fegina, which is characterized by a tourist-beach resort. From here, you can also reach the historic center through a short tunnel. Fegina hosts the Monterosso Station and has larger beaches than other villages in the Cinque Terre.
Monterosso is part of the Cinque Terre National Park and the sea in front of its coast is part of the protected marine area of the Cinque Terre. In addition, the municipality is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto Venere, Cinque Terre and Islands (Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto).
The history of Monterosso al Mare
According to some historical sources, a first human settlement - called Albareto - arose in the immediate hills of the current municipal territory of Monterosso. The village, in which some pre-Roman Ligurian burials have been found, was then destroyed in 643 by the Lombards of King Rotari.
The medieval village of Monterosso dates back to the ninth century, located at the mouth of the Buranco stream, which was probably the extreme limit of the Obertenghi possessions in the Mesco area.
After the victory of the Pisan-Genoese expeditions for Sardinia, the danger posed by Saracen attacks was significantly reduced. Thus began a migration of populations from the hills to the sea and the foundation of the first villages along the coast.
The town is mentioned for the first time in a document dated 1056 in which Guido degli Obertenghi, son of Adalberto II, made some donations in the place called Monte Russo. In the 11th century, with the decline of the Obertenga March, the fief passed to the Fieschi counts and - from the 12th century - to the local lords of Lagneto, antagonists both of the Fieschi counts and the Malaspina.
In 1201, the lords of Lagneto enter into an agreement with the Republic of Genoa and, in 1214, the community of Monterosso erected the first defenses against the Saracen raiders.
The 13th century saw the Monterosso territory, as well as the entire area of the Cinque Terre, become a contested land between Genoa and Pisa for political control and for commercial traffic in this important stretch of the Ligurian east. Soon entering the political orbit of Genoa, the Levantine village was occupied by the Pisans in 1241 and only returned to the Genoese in 1254.
Memory of the past and of the continuous struggles are the castle, with its elongated walls including three cylindrical towers, the Aurora tower overlooking the sea and the medieval tower in the town center in front of the Church of San Giovanni Battista.
What to see in Monterosso al Mare
The old city encloses numerous architectural and natural beauties. Narrow alleys with stone houses and stone arches lead to small and graceful squares where ancient churches overlook.
Inside Monterosso, it is possible to admire the Church of San Giovanni Battista, the Capuchin convent, the Church of San Francesco, and the Church of Madonna del Soccorso.
The beaches of Monterosso al Mare
Monterosso offers many beaches to relax and swim. The largest beach in Fegina comes with various amenities and changing rooms. The sandy beach of the North beaches is the most popular among tourists and offers numerous services. The rest of the surrounding beaches can only be reached by sea or hiking trails.
The hiking trails of Monterosso al Mare
The city of Monterosso is crossed by the Blue Trail, also known as No. 2 of the Cinque Terre, which connects Riomaggiore with Monterosso. The trail winds above the sea in a series of panoramic paths of medium difficulty. Additionally, there are other trails that start from Monterosso and are ideal for trekking enthusiasts.
What to eat in Monterosso al Mare
The Ligurian cuisine offers great pleasures for the palate, and Monterosso is no exception. Here you can taste the typical Ligurian focaccia, crostini with pesto, pasta with walnut sauce, farinata, Cima alla Genovese, and rabbit stew.
Conclusion
Monterosso al Mare is a treasure of Liguria, a medieval city that offers natural and architectural beauties, historic sites, and sandy beaches. It is perfect for trekking enthusiasts, foodies, and beach lovers.
