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Manarola is older than Riomaggiore (beginning of the 13th century).
The village is surrounded by vines and is situated
along a stream.
The wine of Manarola is very famous and the
"Via dell’ Amore" starts here: an easy to walk,
paved path a distance of two kilometres, connecting Manarola
to Riomaggiore.
The houses descend right down to the sea, clinging to wave-beaten
rocks. Here as well the main street consists of the covering
of a torrent, from which narrow alleys, paved with stone, depart. The place-name comes from "Manium Arula", a small
temple dedicated to the Manes, built here in Roman times.
It is connected to Riomaggiore, of which it is an outlying
village, by the famous Via dell'Amore.
In the upper side of the village, we suggest to visit the
church of San Lorenzo (1338) with its beautiful rose window
dating back to the 14th century.
At Christmas do not miss the sight of the magnificently lit
crib, consisting of more than three hundred natural-sized
statuettes, placed in the terraced vineyards that overlook
the village.
Since 1997 you can admire in Manarola a giant nativity scene during the Christmas period. It is built on the terraces behind Manarola, and covers more than 4000 square meters. The nativity remains until February 2 (Candlemas). |