Italy in Photos

Via Renato Birolli

Via Renato Birolli is the main street of Manarola, one of the five villages that make up the famous Cinque Terre in Liguria, Italy. More than just a road, it is the lively backbone of the town, stretching from the upper part of the village down to the small harbour where fishing boats rest on the slipway. Lined with colourful houses, shops, wine bars, and restaurants, Via Renato Birolli embodies the charm of Manarola and provides visitors with an authentic introduction to daily life in this coastal settlement. Its name honours Renato Birolli, an Italian painter from Verona who became associated with Ligurian landscapes and was part of the 20th-century artistic avant-garde. Naming this central street after him underlines the strong link between art, culture, and the natural beauty of Manarola.

The street is not very long, but it is always full of activity. Visitors arriving from the train station or the upper vineyards naturally find themselves walking along Via Renato Birolli as they descend toward the sea. Along the way, the atmosphere is vibrant and inviting: family-run shops sell local products such as olive oil, handmade pasta, and souvenirs, while small wine bars offer the region’s celebrated Sciacchetrà, a sweet wine unique to the Cinque Terre. Cafés spill onto the street with outdoor seating, creating a welcoming place to pause and watch the flow of people. This combination of commerce, hospitality, and tradition makes Via Renato Birolli both a marketplace and a meeting point.

At the same time, the street reflects Manarola’s layered history. On either side, the tall narrow houses, painted in pastel shades of pink, yellow, and orange, rise above the ground floor shops, giving a sense of the village’s medieval structure. The gentle slope of Via Renato Birolli follows the natural shape of the valley carved by the Groppo stream, which once flowed openly through the centre of town. Today it is covered, but the street preserves the sense of connection between the upper village, where terraced vineyards climb the hills, and the sea below. Walking along it is therefore not only a practical route but also a journey through Manarola’s identity as a fishing and wine-making community.

For visitors, Via Renato Birolli is often the first real encounter with the spirit of Manarola. It invites exploration, encourages lingering, and offers countless opportunities to taste, shop, and experience local culture. More than just a street, it is the heart of the village, where tradition meets modern hospitality, and where every journey through Manarola naturally begins and ends.