Location

Corniglia (Curnigia in the local dialect) is a fraction in the small village of Vernazza, in the town of La Spezia. It belongs to the Five Lands, one of the most attractive places of the Italian Riviera for tourists.

Corniglia is situated in the middle of the other Five Lands. It is different from the others, because it is the unique small village doesn’t overlook the sea directly, but it is situated on the top of a headland about 100 metres high, enclosed by vineyards which are typical terracings with a band structure apart from the side overlooks the sea. To reach Corniglia it is necessary to climb a long staircase called Lardarina. It has 33 flights and 380 steps. If you want you can walk down the street that is connected to the railway.

The origins of the small village date back to the Roman period. Its name probably derives from Gens Cornelia, a family who was landowner. It is interesting to remember that during the excavations of Pompeii, some wine amphoras were found on which there was written the name of “Cornelia”. During the Middle Ages, like in the near small villages, Corniglia was subjected to the domination of the lords of Lavagna, Carpena and Luni. In 1254, the pope Innocenzo IV made over the possession of it to Nicolò Fieschi until Genoa took power on it in 1276.

The whole village covers a guiding principle of the main street, via Fieschi, that goes from St Peter’s to the belvedere of St. Mary’s terrace. Right beneath the church square there are some ruins of a medieval architectures and some small sculpture on the front of a house. On the way there is the carriage road that forms the small Ciapara square (ciapà in the local dialect) and crossing it, you go into the “caruggio” , a narrow road goes until to the main square of the village, Largo Taragio (er Taragiu in the local dialect). In the middle of it there is the War Memorial. The square is dominated by the Oratory of St Catherine. Behind this small church there is a long and steep staircase, after which you arrive in a small square called “fosso” (ditch) from which you can see the tower, the unique ruin of the Genoese fortifications dated back about 1556. On its top you can have a wonderful view of the sea and of the coast toward Manarola.

It is possible to admire another wonderful view of the whole coast of the Five Lands from St. Mary’s terrace (about 90 metres above sea level) accessible from Largo Taragio continuing on via Fieschi. In the corner of the panorama terrace, which looks towards Vernazza, stood a small church fallen overboard in the half of the 19th century. From the same side it is possible to catch sight of the small gulf that forms the seashore of Corniglia. Further it is possible to see the sanctuary of Nostra Signora delle Grazie of St. Bernardino on the mountains.

From Largo Taragio, in front of the War Memorial, also starts a staircase (via della Marina) that goes down until to Corniglia’s seashore. The small and delightful gulf is characterized by a small harbour with a few berths for the local people, enclosed on the left by a small quay that reached out towards the sea and on the right by the imposing promontory called of the three crosses, because of the presence of the three Crosses in memory of Christ on the Cross. On the opposite side of this promontory towards Vernazza, you reach the seaside of Gùvano. It is situated under the ruins of the wall of the railway (which now runs into the mountain, completely in a tunnel). You can reach Gùvano by sea or go through the disused tunnel of the railway. This stretch of coast is maybe one of the most beautiful of the whole coast of the Five Lands, often destination of many boats and naturists during the summer.

Among monuments of great importance, there is St. Peter’s, an example of the gothic-Ligurian monument of the XIV century, built on the ruins of a chapel of the XI century. After reworking it has indoors baroque overlaps. Behind the high altar, it is possible to admire two stained-glass windows, a work of the artist Trento Longaretti from Treviso. There is also a building, which has gothic arches made of black stone, situated under the church square, that is maybe part of the ancient post house belonged to the famous Ligurian family of Fieschis. On the 29th June celebrates the patron saint St. Peter. During the religious celebrations there is the typical procession down the streets of the village from St. Peter’s until to the terrace of St. Mary. The typical gastronomic specialities of the patron saint’s day is the backed rice pie made of rice, cheese and eggs. It is also typical the distribution of the pie of Fieschi to everyone who is at the festival. Like in many other Italian village, during the night of Good Friday there is the typical procession with the statue of Dead Christ down the main street of the village.

To reach Corniglia.
By Car.
For those who decide to get in the car, Corniglia is reachable from LA SPEZIA, along From the A12 Genoa-Livorno and Parma A15-LaSpezia exiting the gate 'La Spezia' follow the signs for "Cinqueterre" (SS370 Litoranea Cinqueterre).
Recommend refuel: the Cinque Terre do not have distributors.

By Train.
The and most convenient way to reach recommended Corniglia is the train, the railway station is at sea level and to reach the country can use the buses of the National Park of 5 Terre performing the service throughout the day until 20.00.
The railway line that serves Corniglia is one of the main Italy GENOVA ROMA and long-distance trains are in the station of La Spezia stop ideal where you can take the convoys local serving the Cinqueterre about every train is also 45 minutes.
The system ideal for visiting the 5 TERRE Whereas the average duration of the race between a village and the other is about 5 minutes.