The ancient village of Lemmen in Riomaggiore

At 408 meters above sea level, on the hills overlooking the bay of Canneto, in the territory of the Municipality of Riomaggiore in the heart of the Cinque Terre National Park, stands the ancient farming village of Lemmen, which with its agricultural terraces supported by dry-stones-walls and small stone houses is a magnificent evidence of the outstanding man-work made in this impervious territory.

The settlement can be reached from the hill of Telegrafo, near the homonymous restaurant, along the SVA path that descends through a forest of oaks and heathers, before opening up on this patch of land anciently intensively cultivated mainly with vineyards, but also with maize, which is rather rare given the excessive verticality of the Cinque Terre territory. Sheep-farming was also practiced here, witnessed by a drinking trough, entirely made out of a large sandstone rock by the peasant artists of the time. The houses of the village have all been built with great skill and expertise using only stones and dirt as the church dedicated to San Bernardo.

Currently, private individuals, who fell in love with the place, are trying to recover the agricultural terraces and renovate the existing farmsteads, planting new vineyards combined with fruit trees and horticultural crops, giving back the old splendor to this peasant village.

From Lemmen, continuing on the SVA trail towards Riomaggiore, you reach the Sanctuary of Montenero, a splendid natural balcony with breathtaking views of all the Cinque Terre to Punta Mesco.