The Château de Mirabeau is a medieval castle overlooking the village of Mirabeau. Its origins date back to the 12th century, when it was first mentioned as a fortified structure. Initially owned by the Abbey of Saint-André, the castle underwent various changes over the centuries. The castle played a crucial role in the local economy, especially during the late Middle Ages, by controlling a key river crossing.
The current structure, likely built in the late 16th to early 17th century, features a quadrilateral layout with four circular towers. It has been remodeled and expanded, particularly in the 18th century, and includes a chapel and various living quarters.
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.