Vernazza, Coastal fishing village in Cinque Terre, Italy
Vernazza is a coastal village in the Province of La Spezia, Liguria, Italy. The village extends from its natural harbor up the rocky slope, with narrow lanes and tall houses in shades of pink, yellow, and orange.
The village was founded in 1080 and developed as a maritime base, protected by a castle on the rocky promontory above the harbor. The fortifications served to defend against sea raids and pirate attacks during the Middle Ages.
The Church of Santa Margherita d'Antiochia stands by the sea, displaying Gothic-Ligurian architecture with an octagonal bell tower from 1318. Fishermen pull in their nets at the small harbor in the early morning, while locals gather on the tiny piazza facing the water.
Visitors can reach the village by regional trains connecting La Spezia to Genoa, or by hiking trails from neighboring Cinque Terre villages. The steep lanes and uneven cobblestones require sturdy footwear and make access with strollers or wheelchairs difficult.
The village maintains its status as the sole natural port in Cinque Terre, where fishing boats still dock in the small protected harbor. After the severe flood of 2011, residents rebuilt much of the historic center through volunteer work.
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