Via Colombo, Riomaggiore – note castle centre top.
Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the Cinque Terre. It is known for its historic character and its wine, produced by the town's vineyards. This is where the famous coastal hiking path, the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue path) begins. The first section – between Riomaggiore and Manarola – is called Via dell'Amore (Lover's path).
Riomaggiore was first mentioned in the13th century. The founders of the village moved from the hills to the sea, and built 3-4-storey houses on the rocky, steep territory. The houses have two entrances, one at the front, and one at the back, usually higher up. The buildings were constructed this way not only because of the steep hills, but also for safety reasons, so that the inhabitants could escape in case of Saracen attacks. Riomaggiore has a shoreline on the Mediterranean's Gulf of Genoa, with a small beach and a wharf framed by its tower houses.
