MONTEROSSO AL MARE

The historical origin of the village dates back to 643, when there was the first considerable settlement on the sea by the people living on the hills, in order to escape the barbarian invasions. The place-name probably derives from the red color of the hair of the most important family of that time. Monterosso it is characterized by a medieval historical center, Monterosso Vecchio, and by a modern residential district, which spreads along the beach of Fegina. This allows Monterosso to have the highest tourist accommodation in Cinque Terre. In the past, the prevailing business was fishing, above all tunny fishing, at the beginning of the 17th century. Monterosso has the best beaches of the Cinque Terre villages and the most wine shops, artisan shops, hotels and restaurants. The village is divided into two parts from San Cristoforo hill and the old part of the village, protected by a rock spur, still presents the maritime village. We suggest to visit the The Church of St Francis, from which one can admire a wonderful panorama of the village and the promontories which enclose the Cinque Terre. The church has a painting of the Cambiaso and a "Crucifixion" attributed to Van Dyck.