Students for Cinque Terre

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…

Save Vernazza, Busabout and TreadRight Foundation have contributed to the project to build five dry stonewalls and restore the surrounding land in the Chiappa Valley (above the train station) which was completely destroyed by flooding and landslides. This project creates security for the town since the finished walls minimize the threat of additional landslides. Local…

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

In July 2012, Save Vernazza built two stonewalls with Cantina Cheo, Vernazza’s sole commercial wine producer.  These two walls are critical to maintaining the stability of the hillside, its agricultural viability and the safety of the town of Vernazza below. Stonewalls that create the terracing throughout the Cinque Terre were a key factor in UNESCO’s…

In 2014, Save Vernazza launched “Wine & Food Discovery” to give travelers the opportunity to “TASTE OUR TERRITORY” and highlight the importance of winemaking to landscape preservation.   With a glass of wine in hand, on Gianni Franzi’s Deck in Vernazza, surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and an amazing landscape, local wine producers shared their…

In 2014, Save Vernazza responded to the request by the Town of Vernazza to fund the Executive Project for the Restoration of the historical medieval tower and walls that are located above the Town Hall of Vernazza.  We are hopeful that this project will be funded and these important historical monuments will be restored.