The ancient, original centre of Monterosso lies on the
summit of the hill of San Cristoforo, which separates
the present village into two. During the 12th and 13th century
there was an increase in population and families began to
move down the slope of the hill, setting up house on the banks
of the stream called Branco (now covered). This part of the
village, known as Monterosso Vecchio (Old Monterosso), has
remained practically intact and exhibits the same 'linear'
characteristic as the other villages of the Cinque Terre.
A large part of it is made up of the remains of the 'castrum'
Obertengo, with the beautiful parish of San
Giovanni Battista at the crossroads of the main streets. A
modern residential quarter meanders along the sea view walk
in the nearby small bay of Fegina, which gives its name to
the area. Monterosso's beach is the longest of the Cinque
Terre coast and this, along with the housing development of
the new quarter, has determined the wealth of tourism enjoyed
by the village. Monterosso in fact boasts the greatest number
of hotels and rooms for rent of the Cinque Terre and of the
Eastern Riviera of La Spezia.
A tourist's perspective:
Monterosso's main features are the beach and the seaside;
more than the others it's a small touristic resort with some
nightlife. This different feel complements the quietness of
Manarola and Corniglia. Very suggestive the 'carruggi' (small
streets) of Monterosso Vecchio; wide spaces and some car trafic
in Fegina and on the seaside.
In Monterosso al Mare we found the following touristic services: