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AREA:
11 sq km.
POPULATION:
1,659 HEIGHT
FROM SEA LEVEL (m): 12 WEB
SITE:
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The
founders of Monterosso came from Albareto in the Val di Vara. At the time
of the invasion of Rotari they founded the Sanctuary of Soviore, which
lies on the Cinque Terre itinerary of sanctuaries. In the eleventh century
they moved down to the coast and founded the town in the shelter of "Mons
Rubens". During the Saracen invasions, they had to move back upland
on a number of occasions: the incursions led to very hurried flights and
to the eventual construction of adequate defences. The fortification on
the hill of San Cristoforo, where the earliest settlement was made, was
built by the Obertenghi family, the first feudal lords. After 1276, the
Genoese added a watchtower, which later became the bell-tower of the
church of San Giovanni Battista, a fine specimen of Ligurian Gothic
architecture. On the same hill stands the seventeenth-century Capuchin
monastery, which holds some works by Genoese artists (Cambiaso and Strozzi)
and a crucifix from the school of Van Dyck. Eugenio Montale, the 1975
Nobel prize-winner for poetry, spent his childhood holidays here: the
Literary Park that is dedicated to him takes you to the places and scenery
which inspired some of the poet's earliest and most celebrated works.
Then there is the Cinque Terre Marine Park. The seabed is very varied and
at times quite spectacular, for example below Punta Mesco (the promontory
at the far western end of the Cinque Terre). You are only allowed to go
diving in certain areas and only if accompanied by a guide. This area is
also a favourite seaside resort: holiday makers can enjoy sand and pebble
beaches and rocky areas and can also practise canoeing and sailing. There
is an efficient motorboat service connecting you with other parts of the
Riviera.
"Monterossina" is a sweet speciality made with cream, jam and
chocolate; "sweet focaccia" (a mid-summer speciality) contains
candied fruit, raisins and pine kernels; the "canestrelli"
biscuits available on Palm Sunday are flavoured with fennel. The white
wines and grappa of the Cinque Terre are very well known, although not so
famous as "Sciacchetrà", a white liquor-like wine made with
raisins.
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