Monterosso al Mare
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| Comune di Monterosso al Mare | |
|---|---|
 Municipal coat of arms |
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Liguria |
| Province | Province of La Spezia (SP) |
| Mayor | Angelo Maria Betta since June 14, 2004) |
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Area | 11 km² (4 sq mi) |
| Population (as of 2001) | |
| - Total | 1,563 |
| - Density | 142/km² (368/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | |
| Dialing code | 0187 |
| Postal code | 19016 |
Monterosso al Mare is a town and commune in the province of La Spezia, part of the region of Liguria (northern Italy). It is one of the five villages in Cinque Terre. The town is divided into two distinct parts: the old town and the new town. The two areas are divided by a single tunnel that caters to pedestrians and the very few cars in the town.
The beach at Monterosso runs along most of the coast line and is well used by tourists and locals. The beach is the only extensive sand beach in the Cinque Terre. Monterosso is a small town that in the summer months is overrun by tourists.
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[edit] Crops
The area is famous for its many lemon trees that can be seen throughout Monterosso. It is also renowned for its white wines, grapes, and olives.
[edit] History
In 1870, the Italian government built a railroad line into the city, which opened it up to the outside world. It is the main way in which people enter the city.
During World War II, many young men from the Cinque Terre fought for the resistance against Hitler and Mussolini.
[edit] Main sights
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- The Castle, partially ruined, built by the Genoese.
- The parish church of St. John the Baptist (1282-1307). Its façade features four small marble columns and a main portal surmounted by a fresco portraying the baptism of Christ. The building is of a basilica-type plan that includes a nave and two aisles. The square medieval bell tower is crowned by merlons.
[edit] Village life
Historically, many of the villages on the Mediterranean were walled to protect against attacks from the sea. This area of the coast was often attacked by Muslim pirates and Vikings. Viking influence can still be seen in the occasional fair-skinned, red-headed children of the native villagers in the region.
Originally, the village was only accessible by sea or by mule paths that connected the villages of the Cinque Terre as well as to Via Roma, the main road that connected all of Italy to Rome. These mule paths have been maintained and used over the centuries and now provide hikers with a more intimate view of the sea-swept Cinque Terre. The area was recently designated as part of the national park system and is considered a protected area, to the effect of limited development and resource usage. The Cinque Terre hiking trails have been taken over by the national park system and there is now a fee to hike on all portions of the trail.
[edit] External links
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