La Via dell’amore: The Path of Love | Cinque Terre, Italy
Posted on 01. Aug, 2011 by Dany in Destination Tips, Europe, Italy, Italy
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Love ain’t easy
Until the 20th century, there were no roads connecting the villages of Cinque Terre and most people spent their entire lives strolling through the same winding streets, trekking up and down the same steep staircases of their own village, few daring to cross the rugged mountain cliffs that separate them. Only olive farmers or those who tended to the cliff side vineyards were less secluded, but most villagers were destined to experience all of life’s affairs in one small town – including affairs of the heart. Although the Mediterranean diet and physical exertion of living in such a mountainous regions most likely kept villagers fit, even then the selection of preferable partners was very slim.
Then, in the early 1920’s, improved engineering made the construction of a stone path possible along the sheer cliffs between Riomaggiore and Manarola (a feat previously thought impossible) to trade fruits, vegetables and other goods.
While this was beneficial to the farmers, the new passage quickly became a dream come true for the boys of Manarola to meet the girls of Riomaggiore and vice-versa. Inter-village relationships sprung up, and the path connecting the two hamlets quickly became a meeting spot for young lovers. At dusk, as the sun set over the Mediterranean Sea, couples met here to spend romantic time together along the picturesque cliffs.
La Via dell’amore: The Path of Love
Today, the path draws lovers at sunset, sunrise and all times of day, only now the love is shared by couples from around the world, many of whom seal their love with a lock.
Thousands of padlocks line every inch of available space along the chain link fences, railings and posts on the Via, a tradition which has developed over time by couples who flock to the path and seal their love in order to stay together forever.
The passion extends beyond the padlock, with declarations of love written on walls, boulders, benches and even scratched in to the cactus plants which grow out of the cliffs.
Via dell’amore – not just for lovers
The Path of Love is set at the beginning of the chain of five towns of Cinque Terre National Park, which means that not only love-birds flock to this northern Italian destination.
Hikers can trek the exhausting dirt paths which connect all five towns, foodies can hop between villages on the efficient, convenient train to test the many mouth-watering restaurants. There is swimming to be done on the beach, historical sites to be visited, beer to gulped, wine to be tasted.
Of course, if you happen to be there with the one you love, seal it forever by leaving your mark on the Via dell’amore… We did!
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19 Responses to “La Via dell’amore: The Path of Love | Cinque Terre, Italy”
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October 14, 2012
[...] it is lucky in that respect as Genoa is classically Italian unlike the five sea shells along the Via dell’Amore, which were bought and sold for Australian gold a long time ago. Universally beautiful Cinque Terre [...]
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Stephanie - The Travel Chica
02. Aug, 2011
Love all the photos of the padlocks.
Dani
03. Aug, 2011
Thanks Steph! I could’ve taken thousands of pictures there – loved the padlocks, the messages on the rocks and the views over the cliffs!
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista
02. Aug, 2011
Great story! Cinque Terre is somewhere I will definitely get to. Loved all your photos.
Dani
03. Aug, 2011
Thanks Debbie! Try to visit Cinque Terre during the week & in spring or after the summer months – the villages get really crowded. But so beautiful – definitely one of our Italy highlights.
laura
03. Aug, 2011
great photos i think thats a definate one to add to the list!!
Dani
03. Aug, 2011
Laura- yes, definitely put it on the list. The entire hike from Riomaggiore to Monterosso is totally worth it.
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures
03. Aug, 2011
I LOVE (no pun intended) this post!!!
Dani
03. Aug, 2011
Thank you, Andi… when we heard the story of how the path developed & saw all the locks there, we knew we had to write about it
Jodi
03. Aug, 2011
Andi, you typed the words right off my keyboard! This post is so sweet!
Dani
03. Aug, 2011
Thanks Jodi!
Linda Rogerson
29. Aug, 2011
Oh, how I loved my trips to Cinque Terra!!!! I have been several times and am headed that way again Sept of 2012, hopefully to walk the Via with my new husband. It is one of the most special places in all of Italy and I can’t wait to go back! I have thousands of photos of it and will take thousands more! Great website!
Ciao, bellas!
Leenda
Dani
01. Sep, 2011
Linda – make sure to hike the Via, it’s such a fantastic path. And September is a great time, not too hot anymore and not as many tourists as during the summer months.
Dan
11. Sep, 2011
My wife and I will be there in 2 weeks. We will have a rent a car and wanted to know if parking can be found as we are not able to make the longer hikes but do want to experience La Via dell’amore?
Dani
11. Sep, 2011
Hi Dan, we parked our car in Riomaggiore, the first of the villages when driving into Cinque Terre from La Spezia. There’s a big parking garage, but it fills up quickly, so come early, and it’s pretty expensive (20 Euros for the day). From there, you can purchase your Cinque Terre pass (5 Euros) which allows you to take the train all day long between the villages, and also includes the hike. I’d recommend doing the first bit of the path – Riomaggiore to Manarola – it’s only 25 minutes, beautiful scenery, and you’re right at the train station in Manarola. The cheaper option is parking the car in La Spezia near the train station there – the price for the train ticket is the same (5 Euros) and it’s only about 20 minutes by train from La Spezia to Riomaggiore. Enjoy Cinque Terre!
Pierpaolo Paradisi
07. Dec, 2012
The next time don’t forget to visit us: http://www.theheartofcinqueterre.yolasite.com/
;o)
Dani
08. Dec, 2012
Pierpaolo – thanks for letting us know about your place, we’d love to stay with you next time we’re in Cinque Terre. We are hoping to return soon
Pierpaolo Paradisi
06. Feb, 2013
We wait you! ;o)
Dani
07. Feb, 2013
Ciao Pierpaolo – we can’t wait to return to Cinque Terre! We’ll let you know when we are coming back