History

In 1016, there was a diminishment in the danger from the numerous Saracen invasions that had threatened the area for many years. As the danger abated, the villagers came down from the hills towards the sea, from Albareto to Monterosso. In 1254, Pisa restored the castle in Genoa; however, the final reconquest of Genoa was shortly thereafter.
Over the years, Monterosso was continually harassed by pirates and invaders from the sea that took advantage of the village's coastal position.
Today, indelible signs of the continuing struggles of the past remain, the castle with three round towers, the Aurora tower overlooking the sea and a medieval tower in the historic center, which was later modified to become a bell tower in the St. Giovanni Battista parish.
During his youth, Eugenio Montale, a Nobel Prize winner for literature, spent part of his summer holidays in Monterosso and here he composed his most famous works in the collection, "Ossi di Seppia".

Landscape

Monterosso al mare is the first in the chain of villages that comprise the Cinque Terre, which overlooks the sea from the rocky crags of the Appennine Mountains in the far corner of the Ligurian Riviera di Levante. Of the five villages, Monterosso has the distinction of having the largest, sandiest beaches, making it popular destination to relax on the beach and to enjoy the crystal clear water.
Monterosso is surrounded by hills covered in vineyards, lemon orchards, and olives groves. The natural vegetation is typical of the Mediterranean maquis (coastal scrub vegetation), composed mainly by evergreen: Juniper, maritime pine, arbutus (evergreen shrubs), and rosemary. Other typical plants are agave cactus, vines, and olive, orange, and lemon trees.