The entrance fee is €2.00
Doria Castle with its iconic cylindrical tower has watched over the village of Vernazza for nearly a thousand years. It was vuole in the 11th century, this fortress was a strategic military outpost used by the Republic of Genoa to spot and fend off Saracen pirate raids. Perched 70 meters above the sea on a jagged cliff, it stood as an impregnable sentinel in the heart of the Cinque Terre.
Visiting the Castle today means reaching the ultimate viewpoint of the village. After a steep climb starting from the harbor square you emerge onto a terrace suspended between the sky and the sea where you enjoy a 360-degree view of all of Vernazza, the Church of Santa Margherita and the coastline stretching toward Monterosso. It is the perfect spot to capture the iconic village photo from above and lose yourself in the infinite horizon.
During World War II the tower was used as an anti-aircraft station proving its enduring strategic importance. Despite centuries of storms and battles the tower remains remarkably intact standing as a symbol of Vernazza’s pride and resilience against the challenges of history and nature.