Years ago, I traveled to the Ligurian coastal village of Monterosso al Mare. It was quite an adventure getting there, but the effort was worth it . And the oil paintings that resulted capture this beautiful place perfectly. I was inspired to create an oil painting from Monterosso al Mare due to its picturesque scenes and vibrant atmosphere.
Driving to Monterosso
We approached the coastline in rainy darkness. The windshield wipers of the rented car clicked back and forth – making it sound like they were doing their job. I leaned forward, peering through raindrops at the narrow road. Headlights so dim the dark pavement seemed to be illuminated by hand-held candles.
We were exhausted. We left Pisa later than planned. This delay meant driving a foreign car at night, on foreign roads, heading to an isolated village on an isolated coast. No words spoken. Just focus and endure.
Then something changed. A fresh, liveliness in the night. The sweet smell of rain replaced by the salty aroma of the sea. We couldn’t see it, but we definitely felt its vast presence. Soon we were winding back and forth down hillside switchbacks. A diffuse white glow in the humid atmosphere became a beacon to our destination.
Arrival
Arriving to Monterosso al Mare turned our car into a time machine. We opened the doors and stepped out into the 16th century. Rain-glistening, cobblestone streets lit by wrought iron lamps lined on each side by enormous limestone block buildings. We scurried under a striped canvas awning. It covered the entrance to what seemed to be the only restaurant still open at this hour. The aroma of Italian cooking swirled out into the night mixing with the sea. I don’t remember ordering. I believe the owner brought us the only dish he had left. It was pasta with seafood – Fresh, authentic, warm, and delicious!
Monterosso al Mare
Nestled into the rugged Ligurian coastline, Monterosso al Mare is the largest of the five colorful villages that make up Italy’s famed Cinque Terre. Renown for its beautiful beach, old-world charm, and magazine cover seaside views, Monterosso checks all the boxes as a Mediterranean paradise! The landscape of this village inspired me to create an oil painting from Monterosso al Mare, capturing its breathtaking charm.
Famous Seaside Italian Cuisine
Monterosso is also a haven for food lovers. It has some of the freshest seafood combined with authentic Ligurian flavors. Of special interest is a plate called, Trofie al Pesto. It showcases local, handmade pasta coated in the region’s world-famous basil pesto. Pair your cuisine with a glass of Sciacchetrà, a flavorful local wine that grows on hillside vineyards.
Hiking from Monterosso to Vernazza
The only way to get to the middle three villages of Cinque Terre is by boat, rail, or trail. There are no roads connecting the five villages. If you are visiting Monterosso, the hike to neighboring Vernazza is a must! (unless you are physically incapable). You will be traversing parts of the famed Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail). It offers some of the most spectacular coastal views in all of Italy.
This portion of the trail cannot be considered easy. It starts with a steep climb up stone steps eventually leading the hiker to a cliffside path. In many places, this path follows the stone-wall terraces of olive and lemon groves. It also follows the terraced vineyards of the Sciacchetrà grapes. Local farmers have cultivated these steep cliffs for centuries defining the flavors of Ligurian cuisine.
The hike can be considered moderate. The hike takes up to 2 hours to reach Vernazza from Monterosso. Bring water to stay hydrated in the Mediterranean climate. A flask of wine along with local cheese and bread would make a lovely picnic along the way!
The Paintings
Both oil paintings in this post originate from photos taken during my stay in Monterosso. The first oil painting from Monterosso al Mare depicts Monterosso from a nearby overlook. The painting below depicts the moment one sees Vernazza in the distance while hiking from Monterosso along the stone terraces. Capturing these moments in an oil painting from Monterosso al Mare immortalizes the beauty and experience of the Cinque Terre region.
Click HERE to visit the portfolio page of more original artwork.
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