Corniglia

Corniglia (; locally ) is a ''frazione'' ("hamlet") within the comune of Vernazza in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy, with a population of about 150 (in 2016). Unlike the other localities of the 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. To reach Corniglia, it is necessary to climb the ''Lardarina'', a long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 383 steps or, otherwise follow a vehicular road that, from the station, leads to the village. Sometimes a small bus runs.

The village stretches along the main road, Fieschi Road, and the houses have one side facing this road and the other facing the sea. Corniglia is characterised by narrow roads. There is a terrace in the rock from which all other four Cinque Terre villages can be seen, two on one side and two on the other. The town planning structure presents original characteristics compared to those of the other villages: the houses are lower set, and only more recently higher, similar to those of the villages of the hinterland.

Corniglia is mentioned in a famous novella of Giovanni Boccaccio's ''Decameron'' and in the novel ''The Invisible Circus'' by Jennifer Egan.

History

The origin of the village dates back to the Roman Age as testified by the name, which finds its roots in '' Gens Cornelia'', the Roman family to whom the land belonged. In the Middle Ages it was a possession of the counts of Lavagna, the lords of Carpena and of Luni. In 1254 Pope Innocent IV gave it to Nicolò Fieschi, who held it until 1276, when the village was acquired by the Republic of Genoa.

Main sights

Documents dating from 1276 to 1277 mention the existence of a castle. However, remains of the castle have yet to be discovered and the location of the castle grounds is unknown. The only ruins in Corniglia belong to Genoese fortifications, a stronghold on a cliff plunging into the sea, which dates back to approximately 1556.

The parish church, Chiesa San Pietro, was built between 1334-1351 using local stone. The interior has three naves in the Baroque style. The baptismal font dates from the 12th century. In 2016, a 17th-century painting by the Corniglia painter Prospero Luxardi was installed next to the altar. This large oil painting on canvas depicts the mysteries of the Rosary and the Judgment. The rose window is made of white Carrara marble. The courtyard is paved with polychrome cobblestones.

Popular culture

The 2021 animated film ''Luca'' was inspired by the Cinque Terre towns. While the fictional Portorosso town in the film is set on a coast, the Pixar animation team was particular interested in Corniglia for its more remote and less tourist heavy nature. The word “CORNIGLIA” in a stylish font is even shown on the map that the two fishermen (Giacomo and Tommaso) have on the boat in the opening scene of the movie, ESE of the fictional town (yet more inland since the label is shown on land, not along the coast as it is for “PORTOROSSO” in the same font) and NNE of the fictional Isola del Mare (“Island of the Sea”) where Alberto Scorfano lives. The location shown is approximately correct.

Gallery

File:Corniglia FB02.JPG, Corniglia's Marina
File:Corniglia02.jpg, View from the northwest
File:Corniglia coastal view.jpg, View of Corniglia
File:Corniglia FB04.JPG, Church of S.Pietro from the carrugio
File:Corniglia FB05.JPG, The oratory of S.Caterina over Largo Taragio
File:Mural Ceiling Oratorio Disciplinati Corniglia Sep23 A7C 07052.jpg, Fresco in the Oratory
File:Railway Station Building Corniglia Sep23 A7C 07061.jpg, Railway station building

References

External links

Corniglia
@ Cinque Terre Tourist Association

Cinque Terre Pics
Cinque Terre Slideshow - 50 Pictures

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Coastal towns in Liguria
Frazioni of the Province of La Spezia
Italian Riviera
World Heritage Sites in Italy
Cinque Terre