Manarola is a small town, a frazione of the comune (municipality) of Riomaggiore, in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It is the second smallest of the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists.

The large wheel which can be at the origine of the name of the village.

Manarola may be the oldest of the towns in the Cinque Terre, with the cornerstone of the church, San Lorenzo, dating from 1338. The local dialect is Manarolese, which is marginally different from the dialects in the nearby area.

The name "Manarola" is probably a dialectical evolution of the Latin, "magna rota". In the Manarolese dialect this was changed to "magna roea" which means "large wheel", in reference to the mill wheel in the town.

Manarola's primary industries have traditionally been fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called Sciacchetrà, is especially renowned; references from Roman writings mention the high quality of the wine produced in the region. In recent years, Manarola and its neighboring towns have become popular tourist destinations, particularly in the summer months.

Tourist attractions in the region include a famous walking trail between Manarola and Riomaggiore (called Via dell'Amore, "Love's Trail") and hiking trails in the hills and vineyards above the town. Manarola is one of the five villages of the Cinque Terre.

Mostly all of the houses are bright and colourful. Manarola was celebrated in paintings by Antonio Discovolo (1874-1956).

Manarola (CinqueTerre, Liguria, Italy)

CinqueTerre, Liguria (Italy)

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5 Charming Towns of the Italian Coast: Manarola and the world's largest manger.

Manarola is a small town, a frazione of the comune (municipality) of Riomaggiore, in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy. It ...

5 Charming Towns of the Italian Coast: Manarola and the world's largest manger.

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Tuscany houses many museums with masterpieces by the greatest artists of all time, from Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to Botticelli, Giotto and Donatello. 

Depending on your interests in history, art or sculpture - Tuscany has it all, spanning across time, styles and periods.

See reviews and photos of art museums in Tuscany

Below, a list of the top museums in Tuscany that you should not miss!

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

The Uffizi is one of the world's top museums, with some of the most important works from the Renaissance inside. Admire magnificent works of art and sculpture, from Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Spring to the only example of Michelangelo's painting on panel to splendid works by Raphael and Titian.

Civic Museums in San Gimignano.
Must-sees during your visit to San Gimignano are the Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca and Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in the city from which you can enjoy a unique 360° view over all of San Gimignano. If you have time, also visit the Archeological Museum where the second floor houses the Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery, a mix of the ancient past and more relatively recent past.

The Accademia in Florence.
The Accademia Gallery museum houses the David, Michelangelo's most famous sculpture. Gaze in admiration but don't forget to admire the other works by Michelangelo and other artists in the famous museum, including works by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Allori.

Siena's Cathedral - The Duomo in Siena.
Siena's Gothic cathedral is full of treasures, including its marble pavement, Piccolomini library frescoes and incredibly ornate interiors. We highly recommend a visit into this wonder of Siena's past!

Read also: Getting to Tuscany by train.

Duomo of San Gimignano.
No matter how short your visit in San Gimignano might be, you must visit the cathedral to admire the marvelous cycle of frescoes that recount stories from the New and Old Testaments painted by illustrious artists of the 14th-century Sienese school and the extraordinary Renaissance jewel, the Chapel of Santa Fina. Then head to the Museum of Sacred Art next door to admire the exquisite "Madonna of the Rose"

The Bargello Museum.
Primarily a sculpture museum, you'll be treated to early Michelangelo marbles and Giambolognabronzes and Cellini works then on to a room full of famous works by Donatello, considered by many the greatest sculptor since antiquity. The museum houses more than sculpture, it is definitely a museum worth exploring!

Pitti Palace & Boboli Gardens.
The Pitti Palace houses important collections of paintings and sculpture, works of art, porcelain, silver and period costumes. The rooms contain works by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio and many others. The beautiful Boboli Gardens, grand example of Italian Renaissance gardens, are on the hill behind the palace.

First Sunday of the Month is a day of Art & Culture.
Get your fix of art, culture and history for free on the first Sunday of the month, when Italian State museums open their doors to everyone! Here's the list of State museums across all of Tuscany, to be used on those first Sundays as well as the rest of the month (with opening hours).

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Top Museums to visit across Tuscany.

Tuscany houses many museums with masterpieces by the greatest artists of all time, from Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, to Botticelli, G...

Top Museums to visit across Tuscany.

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