Manarola is a hamlet of Riomaggiore, situated on a steep promontory of dark stone, with its small harbor enclosed between two rocky spurs. Here, too, the hamlet is vertically developed, with typical tower-houses that seem to emerge from the rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, and fits harmoniously into the hills behind, where vineyards and olive trees are cultivated. The history of Manarola, founded in the 12th century, is linked to the Fieschi family of Lavagna, who lost control of the village after being defeated by the Republic of Genoa.Manarola's name probably derives from an ancient "magna roea," that is, a large water mill wheel, of which traces remain in the ancient oil mill in the lower part of the village.The heart of Manarola is Piazza Papa Innocenzo IV, where the most important historical monuments are located. The church of San Lorenzo, dating from 1338 and in the Gothic-Ligurian style, has three naves, with a Baroque interior illuminated by a large white marble rose window on the facade. Next to the church is the 14th-century square White Bell Tower, unusually distant from the church, probably because it was used as an ancient watch and defense tower. A few steps away is the 15th-century Oratorio dei Disciplinati and the old Hospital of San Rocco.The town is crisscrossed by a maze of narrow streets and stairways that pass between houses, leading up to the Via del Belvedere or to the small harbor and marina, where it is possible to take a dip among the rocks. Manarola offers breathtaking scenery to visitors' eyes, with its picturesque houses and views of the sea, making it one of the most picturesque and romantic villages in the Cinque Terre. An ideal place to get lost among the alleys and be enchanted by its timeless authenticity and beauty.
