Rio Maggiore is the southern-most of the 5 Terre. During the day
you can hear bell towers chiming and at night the frogs are in frenetic
chatter as small boats go night fishing for anchovies and other fish
using lights to attract the fish. Riomaggiore also has an ancient stone
castello, about which little has been written. An information sign
outside explains that first mention of the castello appeared in a
document from the mid-500s, which already described it as “ancient”.
Its quadrangular walls with two circular towers were built to protect
the citizens in case of an attack from the sea. In 800, the castello
became a cemetery, and parts were destroyed to adapt it to its new
function. Nowadays it is one of the monuments of the Parco Nazionale
delle Cinque Terre. Most of the action in Riomaggiore is on the main
street, Via Colombo, where there is an assortment of cafes, bars,
restaurants, and of course, gelaterie. There are also alimentari shops
selling the typical yummy Italian fare: fresh fruit (strawberries,
cherries, and nespole), an assortment of salumi (salami, mortadella and
the like), cheeses, olives, etc. These are good places to stock up for
the hikes into the hills, although all of them are not very far from a
town. Bar & Vini, perched on the side of the mountain above
the sea, is excellent place for a summer night. The place had the usual
mix of tourists and local families with their kids, even well into the
night.
