Corniglia is the smallest and highest village of all the "Cinque Terre". It is situated on a rocky promontory, 100m above sea level, forming the spur of the mountainous chain that runs almost parallel to the coast.

This ancient village is easily reachable by train, coach or even by car.
From the train station the village can also be reached by going up 377 windy steps (!). Fortunately, a local minibus is ready and waiting at the arrival of every train to transport the lazier ones to the village.

The origins of Corniglia are probably Roman, whose name may come from a Roman farmer Cornelius, owner of a valuable, productive estate and therefore the renown wine. Indeed, wine amphoras with the name Cornelia enscribed, were found during the excavations of Pompei.

Virtual tour

In the 14th century the Italian poet Francesco Petrarca spoke of the Corneglian wine: "Solis vineta oculo lustrata benigno." ("Vineyards made famous by the kind eye of the sun") and "Palmite late inclita mellifluo" ("Greatly famous for their sweetness"). The high level of sunshine together with the saltiness from the sea gives the Corneglian wine as well as the other wines from the "Cinque Terre" their high sugar content as well as their characteristic flavour.

In 1254 the village passed from Pope Innicenzo IV's rule to that of Nicolo' Fieschi, who renounced the Corneglian men's right to that of Genova.
Corniglia, out of all the "Cinque Terre", is perhaps the most original and different, probably owing this to its position. The two villages that lie to the north are first Vernazza and then Monterosso. Those to the south are Manarola, always on the coast, and at a walking distance of about 15min. (passing the Via dell'Amore, an incredible beautiful path, high above the sea), and Riomaggiore, all forming the aforesaid famous "Cinque Terre".
Its character is influenced by agriculture, being more tied up to the territory than to the sea, and the type of town planning, different from those from the valley, make this village classified as rural.

Due to the steep incline of the ground, the houses are tightly packed one above the other, and usually have a double access. Painters, professional or not, love the originality of the place and are always an attraction to the passers-by.

The square, of a modest size, is the meeting point of the village and it is here that the community's life takes place. For the background of this Website we used the original antique map of Corniglia and the surrounding districts publicised by Matteo Vinzoni in 1773.

St Peter's church, which is set back from the village, was erected from 1334 to 1351. Besides this church there is St Catherine's oratory, St Mary's chapel and the small church of St Bernardo.
St Peter's church has a sober façade, which is built in local sandstone and is definitely the most interesting part of the building as it has maintained the 1300's style, decorated with the fabulous rose-window and entrance. The roof edge is stylised like "saw teeth", held up by small hanging arches, sometimes surmounted by statues of small animal heads.
The rose-window, built in 1351 in white Carrara marble, has been made with excellent workmanship and it has been conceived with elegance of forms. It has a very rich appearance with several different designs. In the central forum there is the figure of a deer - Corniglia's emblem.

Map of Corniglia