INTRODUCTION

Vernazza is the village of the Cinque Terre that more than others has maintained the look of sea village, thanks to its easily accessible and safe natural sea port and to a maritime tradition known since ancient times. Its name comes from "Gens Vulnetia", an ancient Roman family to which the slaves belonged and that once freed, founded the village. During the centuries, Vernazza had a strong political and economical importance which is witnessed by the style of its houses and streets, decorated with loggias and refined arcades. Even nowadays, in fact, it appears as a noble and elegant village, located on a steep cliff. It stretches along the Vernazzola stream (now covered) to reach the rocky surfaces of a cliff that hides the view of the houses to those coming from the sea. Very steep and narrow paths descend towards the main road that leads to a small square facing the small port. The houses of Vernazza, of the same type as the house-towers of Riomaggiore, Manarola and Monterosso, covered by a dense system of narrow alleys called "carruggi" and

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located on various levels, offer always new corners and views, such as Porticato Palace that is located in the vicinity of the sea and accessible from a narrow passage. Other architectural elements that characterise the village include the complex defence system that the Genoese organised to protect Vernazza from the Saracens, from the barbaric invasions, from all their enemies. Making the most of the natural inlet of the gulf lead to the construction of the port for the galleys. This port was the only one in the Cinque Terre to be useful in the battle against the people of Pisa. The numerous fortifications, erected before the eleventh century, were repeatedly enlarged in the following ages. Of these today, a few interesting proofs remain amongst which the Castle of the Doria, the watch-towers, the Torrione and parts of wall barriers.