Hiking to Soviore

We hike up from Monterosso al Mare to  Il Santuario di Nostra Signora di Soviore (The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore) overlooking the city and the sea.  The sanctuary is the oldest Marian sanctuary in Ligura, with the first small building erected around the 7th century, followed by construction of the current church around 1300 and a compete renovation in the 18th century.  The interior includes a famous 14th century wooden statue of the Madonna holding on to the knees of the body of the dead Christ, an Agati organ from 1834, and a barrel vault fresco dating from 1872.

We head up the path from Monterosso, starting at the end of Via Roma by the [relatively] new parking garage.

Heading up

Starting at the edge of the city

This way to Soviore

Continuing up

Better views as we ascend

We reach Soviore and briefly visit the chapel.  Not much is happening today, although on other visits services are being held or the organist has been practicing and the sound in the small chapel is magnificent.

Inside the chapel

We wander the grounds of the hotel alongside the chapel, take in the views of Monterosso and Levanto, and start back down to Monterosso.

Descending

Monterosso growing closer

Passing through olive groves on the way down

Final descent to the city

Arriving back at Monterosso

Soviore is a short, but fun and scenic. hike from Monterosso and we sometimes make this trip several times in a one or two-week visit to Cinque Terre.  On reaching Soviore, sometimes we return to Monterosso (as we did today) and other times we continue on to Levanto, Vernazza, or higher up into the hills.

Hiking to Vernazza

Our first hike to another town in Cinque Terre takes us to Vernazza, the first town south of Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost of the five towns.  We start at the beach and walk up the street to the trail, passing the sign on the steps to the beach:  "Remember that the sea heals your soul."

Passing the beach

We walk along the edge of the harbor and then turn south and up into the hills.

Around the harbor

Up into  the hills

With glimpses back

The trail is busy today with hikers who are staying in the Cinque Terre towns and others who came in for the day from cruise ships or towns just outside Cinque Terre (hiking in from Levanto or taking the short train ride).

Along the trail

Looking both ways

We follow the ridge along the water, occasionally passing through forest and reemerging to more great views of the Ligurian Sea and the ferries passing between the towns.

Along the sea

Along the trail

Last views back at Monterosso

We pass workers restoring a stone wall along the trail.  Stonework is a real art and skilled people still practice it here.

Wall repair

Soon we round a corner and the views of the sea are all south in the direction of Vernazza.  The city grows closer as we descend, reaching the city streets and continuing toward the harbor, full of restaurants, boats, and tourists.

Looking south

Vernazza growing closer

Descending into the city

Reaching the harbor

Vernazza harbor sights

We stop for lunch at Ananasso Bar at one end of the harbor near Chiesa di Santa Margherita di Antiochia, sit outside near the water, and share mixed bruschetta and tagliata pizza (white with spicy sausage and gorgonzola).

Lunch

Walking back through Vernazza toward the the train station to return to Monterosso, we pass through the market on Via Roma.  Market day is Tuesday in Vernazza and our timing is perfect.

Market day in Vernazza

After a little shopping, we hop on the train for the four minute ride back to Monterosso, our base for trips to Cinque Terre.