It all began around the 9th century. During this time, people living in the inland hills decided to move down toward the coast. Why? The fall of the Roman Empire had made maritime areas dangerous for centuries, but as stable settlements began to form, the Buranco Valley became the beating heart of what we now call "Monterosso Vecchia" (the Old Town).
The name itself is said to derive from the hair color of the noble family that once ruled the area, the Lords of Monterosso, who reportedly had strikingly red hair (Monte-rosso meaning "Red Mountain").
A Fortified Village:
In the Middle Ages, living by the sea meant living in fear of Saracen pirates. This is why the old town is a maze of narrow, winding alleys (called carruggi), designed to confuse invaders and make it easier to defend the town from above.
The symbol of this resistance is the Fieschi Castle, whose ruins still dominate the San Cristoforo promontory. At one time, Monterosso was protected by no fewer than 13 watchtowers. Today, only three remain, including the majestic Aurora Tower and the church bell tower, which originally served as a defensive lookout.
Spiritual Soul and Gothic Beauty:
The heart of the historic center is the Church of San Giovanni Battista (13th century). Looking at its black and white striped facade—typical of the Ligurian Gothic style—you can see the wealth the village achieved through maritime trade and agriculture (especially its famous white wine and lemons, later celebrated by the Nobel Prize-winning poet Eugenio Montale).
Monterosso Today:
Despite the devastation faced over the centuries—including the severe flood of 2011—Old Monterosso has managed to preserve its authentic soul. It is a place where the stone walls tell stories of fishermen, heroic farmers who terraced the steep hills and a community that never stopped looking towards the horizon.