Riomaggiore.
Riomaggiore is a city founded in the 13th century by Greeks fleeing oppression, one can hardly call it a city. The Italians themselves call it a commune, and the population there is only 2.000 people. Geographically, Riomaggiore belongs to the Italian Riviera of Flowers, protected by UNESCO, and is part of the Cinque Terre park. The rocks are adorned with vineyards and olive trees. Windows and patios - with flowers. Houses - multi-colored paint. This is the first tourist point to enjoy the Cinqueterre by sea from La Spezia. The commune is connected to the neighboring village of Manarola by the scenic Road of Love. According to legend, the local Romeo and Juliet, who lived in the warring Riomaggiore and Manarola, are connected with this path. The source of drinking water was only near one settlement, and the inhabitants of another collected water secretly. The young people met near the spring, fell in love and began to go on dates in the rocks between the settlements. The girl became pregnant, her relatives decided to kill the seductive stranger. The lovers, fleeing the persecution of relatives, met on the rocks and accidentally slipped into the depths of the sea. The saddened relatives reconciled with the neighbors, and together they laid a convenient hiking trail through the coastal cliffs.
At the time of our tour, the road was in a state of repair and we were not allowed on it. But this prevented us from enjoying the beauty of the town and its not so colorful in reality. The houses are not as bright as on the maps, the stones are even grayer and scarier when the sea is rough.
BUT - this city cannot fail to impress. He is the first and he has a great responsibility. My advice: drink a glass of local dry wine "Cinque Terre" and a local dish - Ligurian fish. I tried the sweet liqueur Skiaketra made in Riomaggiore. The technology for the production of wine and liquor is a great secret and has been passed down only to members of the family of winemakers for centuries.
There is nowhere to swim here, in the town there are only a couple of small rocky beaches and another one is located in a neighboring village. But they are visible in the photo, but up close, I would not dare to call it a beach - rocky stones, pebbles and large stones. In my photo, the beach is also visible, to the right above sea level : -) But this town is worth more attention : -) There are really amazing views of the Ligurian Sea and absolutely clean air. I want to take a deep breath and bring it home : -) well, or in a jar : -)
