As the first seaside village you encounter coming from the Ligurian town of La Spezia, Riomaggiore is the eastern gateway to the world-famous, Unesco-inscribed Cinque Terre. Founded in the 8th century by a group of Greek refugees according to legend, Riomaggiore extends from the coast of the Ligurian Sea to the Apennine mountains just behind, along two valleys. Mount Verugola’s three peaks represent the town’s emblem.

After the year 1000, protected by the powerful Genoa Republic, the local inhabitants began to leave their primitive settlements to move closer to the coast, forming the first nucleus of Riomaggiore, which now corresponds to the Marina district. Throughout the Middle Ages, the village was under the influence of the Republic of Genoa.