INTRODUCTION

Perched on a steep dark rock promontory, with its small port closed by two rocky boulders, Manarola is the second village of the Cinque Terre. Its origins are even more ancient than those of Riomaggiore as it was founded by the local people of the probably Roman settlement of Volastra. Its name comes from the Latin "Manium arula", which means small temple dedicated to Mani. Its houses seem to form an only block of stone, clinging on to the hill, like a great castle overlooking the sea. In parallel to the main road, which is obtained from the filling of the bed of a stream, there is the so called Via di Mezzo (Middle Road), which was of great importance in the road system of the village before the filling of the stream. Above the houses lies a square in which the religious buildings of the village are located: the church, oratory and bell tower form a unique architectural space which, even today, is the main meeting point of the local people of Manarola. Particularly strange is the cement pyramid, painted in white whose peak can be seen rising from the higher houses and is used as a trigonometric signal for all those at sea.
Behind Manarola, the typical terraces with vines and dry-stone walls can be admired; walking down towards the sea, fascinating scenes and panoramas of extraordinary beauty can be found. Amongst these, the most well-known is the Via dell'Amore (Love Road) that joins Manarola with Riomaggiore. Along this short path, cut in the steep rock overlooking the sea, you can caught on one side, sight of the green hills and on the other, sight of the blue spread of the sky and of sea. On the road between Manarola and Volastra, the Cantina Sociale della Cooperativa Agricoltura (Social Cellar of the Agriculture Coop) of the Cinque Terre can be found. It offers the possibility of assisting the production of the well-known local wines thanks to guided visits (upon booking). This is surely an interesting experience that offers the opportunity of obtaining a good knowledge of one of the most rare and precious products of the area, the opportunity of getting to know more deeply the culture of these villages, of tasting, with a stronger awareness, a wine that will not let you down.