Burgdorf, Switzerland
11th century
Balsthal, Switzerland
12th century
Wildegg, Switzerland
13th century
Bottmingen, Switzerland
13th century
Vufflens-le-Château, Switzerland
1425
Tarasp, Switzerland
11th century
Porrentruy, Switzerland
13th century
Habsburg, Switzerland
1020-1030
Oron-le-Châtel, Switzerland
13th century
Lucens, Switzerland
12th century
Aarburg, Switzerland
c. 1200
Blonay, Switzerland
1175
Champvent, Switzerland
c. 1250
Manarola is a small town, a frazione of the comune of Riomaggiore. It is the second-smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists, with a population of 353.
Manarola may be the oldest of the towns in the Cinque Terre, with the cornerstone of the church, San Lorenzo, dating from 1338. The local dialect is Manarolese, which is marginally different from the dialects in the nearby area. The name 'Manarola' is probably a dialectical evolution of the Latin, 'magna rota'. In the Manarolese dialect this was changed to 'magna roea' which means 'large wheel', in reference to the mill wheel in the town.
Manarola's primary industries have traditionally been fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called Sciacchetrà, is especially renowned; references from Roman writings mention the high quality of the wine produced in the region.