Intern Huan Song

In September 2012, Save Vernazza organized a student volunteer weekend with students from Syracuse University studying abroad in Florence. Save Vernazza founder Michele Lilley led the students on a guided hike from Corniglia to Vernazza. The walk explained the importance of maintaining the territory (with terraced hillsides and stonewalls necessary for agriculture) to preserve Vernazza’s…

We started offering Walking Tours for selected Rick Steves travel groups following our initial tour with Rick Steves in April 2012. We led 28 tours from April to October 2012 and many travelers told us that it was the highlight of their trip. As American women who have been living in Vernazza for 15+ years,…

In October 2012, Save Vernazza funded the technical costs for the reconstruction of a bridge over the canal in the most damaged area of Vernazza known as “Fontanavecchia” to help residents return home.  Thanks to high school student Madison Galati who organized three fundraising dinners to help build this bridge. Before After

Save Vernazza ran a Benefit Art Auction on eBay with art donated by 22 local artists.

Yana Pietras worked with Save Vernazza to found Students for Cinque Terre S5T, a US student organization, at the University of Minnesota.

In July 2012, Save Vernazza, in partnership with the Unione Parmense degli Industriali, restored the Chapel of Santa Marta in Vernazza, including building a new roof. The chapel, an important place for residents to gather and worship, was completely buried in mud and debris on October 25, 2011. We now refer to it as “the…