Hiking to Soviore

We hike up from Monterosso al Mare to  Il Santuario di Nostra Signora di Soviore (The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soviore) overlooking the city and the sea.  The sanctuary is the oldest Marian sanctuary in Ligura, with the first small building erected around the 7th century, followed by construction of the current church around 1300 and a compete renovation in the 18th century.  The interior includes a famous 14th century wooden statue of the Madonna holding on to the knees of the body of the dead Christ, an Agati organ from 1834, and a barrel vault fresco dating from 1872.

We head up the path from Monterosso, starting at the end of Via Roma by the [relatively] new parking garage.

Heading up

Starting at the edge of the city

This way to Soviore

Continuing up

Better views as we ascend

We reach Soviore and briefly visit the chapel.  Not much is happening today, although on other visits services are being held or the organist has been practicing and the sound in the small chapel is magnificent.

Inside the chapel

We wander the grounds of the hotel alongside the chapel, take in the views of Monterosso and Levanto, and start back down to Monterosso.

Descending

Monterosso growing closer

Passing through olive groves on the way down

Final descent to the city

Arriving back at Monterosso

Soviore is a short, but fun and scenic. hike from Monterosso and we sometimes make this trip several times in a one or two-week visit to Cinque Terre.  On reaching Soviore, sometimes we return to Monterosso (as we did today) and other times we continue on to Levanto, Vernazza, or higher up into the hills.