The town's name probably derives from the Roman Gens Cornelia, family to which the land belonged. In the province of La Spezia, Corniglia is part of the county of Vernazza. The two towns are united by a trail. It is located on top of a hill covered with terraced vineyards, overlooking the sea, at the exact center of the other towns of the Ligurian Riviera, which are all part of the Cinque Terre.
It offers beaches for all tastes: sandy, with pebbles and rocks, all reachable only by steep staircases. The only access to the beach of Guvano, in direction Vernazza, is provided by an old, now abandoned, railway tunnel. Besides the logistic difficulties, the efforts, however, are always generously rewarded and the village features a small marina for a few boats, enclosed in a small dock on one side and the promontory with three crosses on display on the other.
The origins are Roman, as documented by finds of the time. During the Middle Ages, Vernazza was subjected to the dominion of the Counts of Lavagna, then the lords of Carena and Luni. The town was sold in 1254 by Pope Innocent IV to Nicolò Fieschi and in 1276, it was under the control of Genoa .

TO VISIT:

The lookout terrace of the Santa Maria, about 90 m above sea level, from which it is possible to admire a breathtaking panorama.
The Oratory of Santa Caterina.
The tower, dated 1556, only ruins remain of these Genoese fortifications.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Grace of San Bernardino.
The Church of San Pietro, in Gothic style, dating from the XIV century which preserves inside, behind the altar, two colorful stained glass works of Trevigliese artist Trento Longaretti.