Corniglia Cinque Terre - Attractions Corniglia
Cinque Terre Corniglia
Corniglia is located in a central position compared with the other villages of the Cinque Terre.
Corniglia is the only one village of the Cinque Terre which is not located directly on the sea side. Instead, you can find Corniglia on a 90 m high rock with a wonderful panoramic view on the coastline and the sea.
The village Corniglia is one of the most popular attractions in the Cinque Terre National Park.
Corniglia is surrounded by vineyards on characteristic terraces, with exception of the side which faces the sea.
In fact to reach Corniglia from the beach or train station, it is necessary to climb the long stairs "Lardarina", consisting of 33 ramps with 382 steps - which requires good legs and a lot of breath.
Alternatively you can reach Corniglia by the Cinque Terre hiking trails or on the road coming up from the Corniglia train station "stazione Corniglia".
Above Corniglia there is another small village called Volastra. There you can visit the Sanctuary of "Nostra Signora della Salute" - more on this you can find in the chapter Manarola.
In the past the inhabitants of Corniglia lived from vineyards on the steep hills. Today, in addition to the wine growing, tourism has become the main income source of Corniglia.
Corniglia Italy: history
The origin of Corniglia dates back to the Roman time. The name probably derives from Gens Cornelia, the family who owned the land.
It is interesting that during the excavations of Pompeii were found wine amphorae on which appeared the name "Cornelia".
During the Middle Ages the supremacy changed like in the other neighboring villages to the Count of Lavagna, the lords of Carpena from Luni.
The first documentary evidence of Corniglia goes back to 1211.
In 1254 Pope Innocent IV has transferred the property to Nicolò Fieschi and later in 1276 to the Republic of Genoa.
For protection from pirate attacks was built the fortress and the city wall - today some remnants of the fortress are still visible.
Corniglia train station
The train station of Corniglia "stazione Corniglia" is located below the village.
To reach the city centre, it is necessary to climb up the "Lardarina", a long stair formed by 382 steps.
The Corniglia train station can be reached by car on the street "Via Stazione".
Alternatively there is a bus connecting the center of Corniglia with a connection to the station „stazione Corniglia”.
You can reach Corniglia by train from Genoa, Sestri Levante, Levanto and Pisa.
By train you can move quick and economically between the 5 villages of Cinque Terre.
Here you will find more information about the Cinque Terre train
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Corniglia beach
The beach of Corniglia is not advisable for a holiday at the seaside.
Since the village is located on a rock, the sea can only be reached by the long stair.
The Bay of Corniglia is so small that only a few fishing boats and a mini-beach can find space.
If you are looking for a beach in the Cinque Terre, then we can recommend Levanto or Monterosso al Mare.
In the category Liguria beaches you can find more insider tips to find the most beautiful beaches of Liguria.
Cinque Terre hiking: Vernazza to Corniglia, Corniglia to Manarola
The famous blue trail "sentiero azzurro" connects the five villages of the Cinque Terre.
From Corniglia you can take the footpath along the coast to the neighboring village Manarola (east of Corniglia) or to Vernazza (west of Corniglia).
Here you can find our recommendations and photos of the Cinque Terre hiking tours:
- Footpath Corniglia to Manarola
- Footpath Vernazza to Corniglia
Corniglia attractions - things to do in Corniglia
What to do in Corniglia ? Here you can find the most popular attractions of Corniglia, which you should see during your visit:
Corniglia Cinque Terre: tour and panorama
viewpoint "Santa Maria"
The whole village has developed along the main street "Via Fieschi", which starts at the parish church "Parrocchia di San Pietro" and ends at the panorama view terrace “Santa Maria”.
The parish church dedicated to San Pietro is a beautiful example of the peculiar Gothic style of the region.
If you follow the „Via Fieschi“ you will pass at a war memorial and the Oratory of Santa Caterina "Oratorio dei Disciplinati di Santa Caterina" from the 18th century.
You can see a breathtaking panorama view on the entire Cinque Terre coast from the Santa Maria Terrace (about 90 meters above sea level), at the end of the street Via Fieschi.
In the corner of the panorama terrace in direction Vernazza there was a chapel which in the 8th century has fallen in the sea. On the same position you can see the small Gulf "Marina di Corniglia". From the same position, towards the mountains, you can see the Sanctuary: "Sanctuary of Nostra Signora delle Grazie di San Bernardino"
Corniglia Italy: Parish “Parrocchia di San Pietro”
One of the main attractions of Corniglia is the parish church of San Pietro from the year 1334.
The "Chiesa di San Pietro parrocchiale" is a typical example of a Ligurian Gothic monument from the XIV century which was built on the ruins of a chapel of the XI century.
Inside the church you can find also Baroque elements. The facade was made of white and pink Carrara marble.
Behind the main altar you can admire two stained glass windows from the artist Trento Longaretti.
Every year on 29 June in Corniglia is a festival in honor of the patron saint San Pietro.
San Bernardino: Sanctuary of “Nostra Signora delle Grazie”
The Sanctuary "Santuario di Nostra Signora delle Grazie di San Bernardino" is located on the hill between Vernazza and Corniglia.
It can be seen very well from the Cinque Terre footpath Vernazza Corniglia.
The church "Signora delle Grazie" is the result of the reconstruction work of the former chapel of the nineteenth century, probably of late medieval origin.
The church is located in San Bernardino, which is called "Paese di vino" (wine village). Here hardly get tourists and you have a wonderful view above Corniglia.
The adored image is a painting of the Madonna with Child, placed above the altar.
Corniglia Hotels
Porto Roca Monterosso
In our opinion one of the most beautiful hotels in the Cinque Terre is the Porto Roca Monterosso which is located directly on the coast and offers a wonderful panoramic terrace overlooking the sea.
From the hotel you can reach Monterosso beach by a short walk.
In front of the Hotel Porto Roca Monterosso passes the blue hiking trail Monterosso Vernazza.
Thus, this hotel is the perfect starting point for a Cinque Terre hiking tour.
Moreover you can find here many other Cinque Terre Hotels selected by us, where the location, service and price will match:
Cinque Terre attractions
Here you can find many other information about the Cinque Terre attractions: