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Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Chiesa di San Lorenzo
4
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles338 reviews
Excellent
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164
Average
55
Poor
3
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Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,643 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
A lot of people don’t venture far from the very scenic harbour in Manarola. However if you some extra time to explore the small town, then this 14th century, Gothic church is one of the sights you will see.
The church is a short but steep walk uphill through the main town. It is about 10 minutes from the harbour and forms part of a nice looped walk mostly along Via Antonio Discovolo.
Built in 1338, the church is dedicated to San Lorenzo (St Lawrence), patron saint of Manarola.
An early Christian martyr, he was tied to an iron grill and was slowly roasted alive over an open fire. He was not easily dispirited and famously told his torturers that they weren’t cooking him properly, advising them to turn him over because he was already done on one side.
When we were there, the church was being restored and the facade was completely covered, head to foot, in scaffolding. There was nothing much to see and at first, we didn't realise that you could still go inside. It looks closed, but it's not.
The interior is a simple, humble affair. The main feature is the altar with a 15th century triptych of the Virgin Mary surrounded by saints. St Lorenzo (Lawrence) is the one on the right-hand panel, next to St Catherine.
We were also intrigued by the artificial dome. Above the altar, an artificial or fake dome has been cleverly created with a 3D painting. If you stand in the right position, it looks quite real. The colours have dulled over the years but it is a clever trick of the eye and must have been considerably cheaper than building a real dome.
Interestingly, the bell tower is not where you expect it to be. Instead of being attached to the church, it is free-standing and is opposite the church, on the other side of the square. Apparently it was built in this way because it doubled up as a defensive watch-post in case of pirates.
From this elevated position beside the church tower, you also have a nice view over parts of the town.
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lydia m
89 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2023 • Family
The church and church square is very peaceful. I attended mass on Wednesday, and was very thankful to the people in this small village that unlock the doors each day so that we can go in and pray. The cafes in this area of the village are quieter also and very nice.
Written 9 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rubemperor
Vezzano Ligure, Italy3,582 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
I went to this church with my girlfriend on the occasion of the patron saint's day, August 10th. The building is located in the upper part of the town and can also be reached by shuttle buses that go around the Cinque Terre. The interior is large and adorned in classical religious style. The small square outside, where the bell tower also stands, offers a beautiful view of the sea. The whole surrounding area, especially during the patron saint, is dotted with stalls and stands. The area is always packed with tourists and locals.
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Written 31 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JDZatSF
San Francisco, CA1,950 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021
I stopped into this empty church to gawk for a few minutes while waiting for something else. It's old and nice for what it is, but nothing struck me as exceptional. Across from the church, however, is a lookout stand, where one can get good views of the town.
Written 21 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trek-Always
Alpharetta, GA2,517 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2014 • Friends
I highly recommend that you walk to the top of Manarola where this church is located, and then do the vineyard walk on the way back.

Standing at the church with the bell tower on your left side, head down about 50 yards and find a wooden railing. This is where a wonderful flat walk starts around the high side of town and back to the harbor. There is a steep descent at the end to get from the path to the harbor, but it has switchbacks and steps so it is not difficult.

The entire loop can be done in 30-45 minutes, and then enjoy a drink or beverage at the harbor.

By the way, the small church dates from 1338 and is worth a quick visit when you are at the top.

If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
Written 1 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kyle S
Bridgeton, NJ956 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Couples
Built in 1338, the church contains two altar piece paintings from the unnamed Master of the Cinque Terre. The stone ceiling is painted with he image of St Lawrence who was martyred by being roasted on his grill. There is a bell tower on the left and great views from this vantage point.
Written 13 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

snochasr
Minneapolis, MN928 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2015 • Couples
Manarola, like Riomaggiore, is reached by a long pedestrian tunnel from the train station to the center of town. Turn right to follow the main street, built over the creek that tumbles down the mountainside the town is built on. You can hear and see the water running under it in many places. At the "top," you will find the Church of San Lorenzo (my review follows). There are some nice views from the little Piazza in front of it. Feel free to take the "back streets" on your way back down, since they all go to the same place. If you turn left instead of right at the center of town you'll find a large elevated Piazza, heavily mosaicked (and usually covered by tourist feet) , with a view over the lower town. Helpful hint: notice the nativity scene on the hill above that's there year round. From here you can walk down through the lower town, past the boats, the tourist shops and eateries to the harbor, with some great views of the town stacked up the hill.

Church of San Lorenzo:
Long ago every little town (and the big ones as well) in Italy, it seems, would try to flaunt their wealth and success by building a beautiful church. One of the major attributes of these churches, at least in the smaller towns, was the ability to afford a "rose window." This church has one, but apparently ran out of money because the inside of the church is fairly plain. One of the great cathedrals it is not, but it has a certain elegant simplicity to it.
Written 25 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christina C
Coquitlam, Canada6,336 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
From the train station we walked up the hill. Some parts are quite steep but short. At the top we saw an open court yard. There is and old stone church built in 1338. The interior of the church is simply decorated but serene and tranquil.  Across the church is the bell clock tower. Behind the tower is a beautiful view of part of Manarola. To the right is the vineyards layer by layer covering the hill. I saw the Nativity scene set up there with more than hundreds of figurines, like Mary, the baby Jesus, and Joseph, the shepherds, angels, stars, and various animals set up on the entire hill. I heard this Nativity scene will light up on December 8th. Unfortunately we were there 3 weeks early, but at least we had a glimpse of it.
Happy Travelling!  
Written 19 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mooseonthemove
Hertfordshire, UK32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2019 • Couples
At the head of the village with relatively few visitors, worth the walk up the hill to see the interior of the little church, the views and the various shops and small cafes in the area, have a drink at the Cantina Nessun Dorma and rest awhile before carrying on walking!
Written 28 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

haktus
Zurich, Switzerland1,209 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2019 • Friends
What I found impressive here is the disconnection of the church with its tower forming a place in between where people meet and talk or just walk by. I like the church and the composition as a whole.
Written 5 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Manarola

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