Corniglia differs from the other villages of the Cinque Terre as it does not directly look upon the sea but raises on the top of a promontory about 100 meters high, surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces and the fourth side descends steeply on the sea. To reach Corniglia, it is necessary to climb the "Lardarina", a long brick flight of steps composed of 33 flights with 377 steps or, otherwise follow a vehicular road that, from the station, leads to the village. The origin of the village dates back to the Roman Age as testified by the name which finds its roots in "Gens Cornelia", the Roman family to whom the land belonged. Even the town planning structure presents original characteristics compared to those of the other villages: the houses are lower set, and only more recently higher, similar to those of the villages of the hinterland. The village stretches along the main road, Fieschi Road, and the houses have one side facing this road and the other facing the sea. Looked at from below, Corniglia resembles a small gem jewel, with narrow roads and a terrace obtained in the rock from which all other four villages, two on one side and two on the other, can be admired. A few documents from 1276-77, mention the existence of a castle of which no remain has been found up to today so that not even the location of the castle has been possible. The only ruin left, belonging to the Genoese fortifications, is a stronghold on a cliff plunging into the sea which dates back to approximately 1556.
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