The beauty of God’s gorgeous earth usually falls within one of two categories: natural or man-made. Italy’s Cinque Terre (or five towns) is a breathtaking mixture of the two, weaving the God-created with the man-created in a seamless masterpiece. God’s radiant hues throughout the day blend with the bright splotches of paint canvassed by many men throughout the years.
If you arrive via an early morning train as I did, the first snapshot that greets you is that of God’s glorious sunrise, displayed over endless blue waters, peaking shyly around the rocky cliffs and rugged terrain that characterizes this portion of the world. As you make your way down to the magnificent Mediterranean, you’ve moved by the crystal clear waters that gently pour onto the stony beaches. And with monikers like Riomaggiore, Monterosso and Vernazza, these towns leave a rich taste in your mouth as you confidently proclaim their luscious names to your travel companions.
Greater, though, than staring down toward the coast, is the view from the beach itself: looking back toward the towns, a rainbow of color paints itself into your memory. Each house a different hue: red, orange, teal, yellow; all stacked gracefully on top of one another, staggering their way to the pointed peaks, yet nestled into the cove like a well-kept secret. The roads are steep, but the store owners greet you with smiles and warm buongiornos. The pasta and seafood are fresh, as evidenced by the rich aromas pouring out from each quaint storefront.
You can’t help but feel as if you’ve stepped into a magical fairytale as you gaze upon these beautiful towns: the houses enchant you as the waves knocking against the shore quietly lull you into the most peaceful slumber. And when you awake, the myriad of color greets you with a sweet kiss as the train whistles a drifting arrivederci!
Cinque Terre is a town so beautiful it feels like a dream, and visiting makes you wish you never had to leave. Fortunately, these vivid Italian gems will forever live in the hallows of your mind, just as the vibrant homes will forever reside perched high above the waves of the faithful Mediterranean.
Is it as historically significant as Rome? No. Is it as crucial to the arts as Florence? No. Is it a place you should visit should you ever get the chance? Absolutely! For it is the epitome of God’s handiwork, and it will make you thank Him for years to come.
