After leaving Vernaza, we took the train to Corniglia which was the fourth town  in Cinque Terre that we visited.  Unlike the other towns in Cinque Terre,  Corniglia is not directly adjacent to the sea.  Instead it is on the top of a promontory about 100 metres high, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces.  The fourth side descends steeply to the sea.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0019 To reach Corniglia it is necessary to climb the Lardarina, a long brick flight of steps composed of 32 flights with 382 steps.  There was a vehicular road that we could have taken from the station if we had wanted to wait for the bus.  Of course there was no way we were going to wimp out and take a bus!   I should add that  we had no idea that we had such a long hike ahead of us to get to town.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0001 A view of the train station as we got further away.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0001 Along the walking trail as we were walking through vineyards, there were many stops with picturesque views.  This was a view of Manarola, the next town to the south.  

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This was the view from the other side as we approached town.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0001 We walked around this small town for a while.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0001 The  Church of San Pietro was built in 1334 on a pre-existing XI  century building.  It has a Baroque stele, with some Gothic and Ligurian elements.  The XIV century facade is adorned by a 1351 Carrara white marble rose window. 

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I liked this colourful building I saw.

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One of the many, colourful narrow streets in town.

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A view of the vineyards surrounding the  town.

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My laundry shot of the afternoon.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0004 Some old doors I came across in my travels.

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20130530_2013_may_italy_0001 A colourful restaurant in the main square.

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20130530_2013_may_italy_0005  The origin of the village dates back to the Roman Age and is named after the Roman family who owned the land.  In the Middle Ages it was possessed by the counts of Lavagna, the lords of Carpena and of Luni.  In 1254 Pope Innocent IV gave it to Nicolo Fieschi who held it until 1276 when the village was acquired by the Republic of Genoa.  

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20130530_2013_may_italy_0007 A view of part of the town from one of higher vantage points in the village.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0001 It turned out to be a pretty cloudy afternoon with not a lot of sunlight on the sea.  Great clouds though.

20130530_2013_may_italy_0008  While waiting for our train to get back to Monterosso  I took a few pictures.  This was a train that speeding by.  

20130530_2013_may_italy_0021 No seats while waiting for the trains.

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Cell phones helped pass the time while waiting for the trains.