Vernazza, one of the five cities that make up the Cinque Terre, is a place rich with history, culture and beautiful landscapes. However, several factors have put the town in danger. On the morning of October 25, 2011, a storm rolled in and brought torrential rains to Vernazza. The water level on the streets rose quickly, trapping numerous store owners and patrons in their shops or homes. The flood continued to worsen, and the water and debris careened through the town without mercy. There were a total of 100 landslides caused by the flooding, and over 100 million euros worth of damage was caused. Three people were killed during the disaster.
A main reason why the flood was so devastating was the destruction of the historic landscape that is so distinctive of the region. According to Huan Song, author of "Paradise Lost: A Vulnerability Analysis of Vernazza, Italy After the 2011 Natural Disaster," the five Chinque Terre towns were constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries along the hillsides of the coastal Legurian region. Practicing agriculture on the steep hillsides was made possible by stone wall terracing.
We had the unique experience of helping to restore part of a dry stone wall that makes up the terraced hillsides so distinctive to the region. Just by looking at the terracing, one may not understand the significance. But we learned that there is so much more to the walls than aesthetics: without them, the agricultural industry that Vernazza was built upon would not be possible. The vineyard we were at would probably cease to exist if the walls were not maintained because of rain and erosion.
Except for traveling by boat, the only way to move between cities during the early centuries was by using the various hiking trails along the coast. To an uninformed visitor, the trails may just seem like ordinary scenic hiking trails. However, when we hiked from Levanto to Monterosso and finally back to Vernazza, it was hard to believe that those trails were once the only way to get around. It was by no means an easy hike; steep climbs and numerous stairs left us huffing and puffing, but the view was indeed spectacular and well worth it. If early traders did not have access to a boat, I'm sure carrying goods by hand throughout those trails was quite physically taxing and time consuming.
In his thesis paper, Song examines the differences in the value placed on the landscape by the local residents versus the visitors of the Cinque Terre, specifically in Vernazza. According to Song, growth in the tourism industry during the 1960s has caused a dangerous shift in the focus and priorities within Vernazza.
As a result of tourism becoming the main economic driver, locals have generally become less dependent on agriculture and more dependent on tourism revenue. Our tour guide, Ruth Manfredi of the Save Vernazza foundation, informed us that during peak tourism season, the population of Vernazza jumps from about 500 residents to over 2,000. According to Manfredi, this is concerning because it may mean that people will start to forget about the cultural importance of the landscape because of the tourism spike.
It was very meaningful to hear Manfredi's point of view as an American living in Italy. Even she finds herself getting frustrated by tourists who have no desire to learn about the culture and meaning of the landscape; many seem to solely come to view the beautiful scenery. We certainly enjoyed the beautiful landscape, but with an informed point of view.
A main reason why the flood was so devastating was the destruction of the historic landscape that is so distinctive of the region. According to Huan Song, author of "Paradise Lost: A Vulnerability Analysis of Vernazza, Italy After the 2011 Natural Disaster," the five Chinque Terre towns were constructed in the 11th and 12th centuries along the hillsides of the coastal Legurian region. Practicing agriculture on the steep hillsides was made possible by stone wall terracing.
We had the unique experience of helping to restore part of a dry stone wall that makes up the terraced hillsides so distinctive to the region. Just by looking at the terracing, one may not understand the significance. But we learned that there is so much more to the walls than aesthetics: without them, the agricultural industry that Vernazza was built upon would not be possible. The vineyard we were at would probably cease to exist if the walls were not maintained because of rain and erosion.
Except for traveling by boat, the only way to move between cities during the early centuries was by using the various hiking trails along the coast. To an uninformed visitor, the trails may just seem like ordinary scenic hiking trails. However, when we hiked from Levanto to Monterosso and finally back to Vernazza, it was hard to believe that those trails were once the only way to get around. It was by no means an easy hike; steep climbs and numerous stairs left us huffing and puffing, but the view was indeed spectacular and well worth it. If early traders did not have access to a boat, I'm sure carrying goods by hand throughout those trails was quite physically taxing and time consuming.
In his thesis paper, Song examines the differences in the value placed on the landscape by the local residents versus the visitors of the Cinque Terre, specifically in Vernazza. According to Song, growth in the tourism industry during the 1960s has caused a dangerous shift in the focus and priorities within Vernazza.
As a result of tourism becoming the main economic driver, locals have generally become less dependent on agriculture and more dependent on tourism revenue. Our tour guide, Ruth Manfredi of the Save Vernazza foundation, informed us that during peak tourism season, the population of Vernazza jumps from about 500 residents to over 2,000. According to Manfredi, this is concerning because it may mean that people will start to forget about the cultural importance of the landscape because of the tourism spike.
It was very meaningful to hear Manfredi's point of view as an American living in Italy. Even she finds herself getting frustrated by tourists who have no desire to learn about the culture and meaning of the landscape; many seem to solely come to view the beautiful scenery. We certainly enjoyed the beautiful landscape, but with an informed point of view.
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