MANAROLA, Church Of San Lorenzo - Ai Voice

The Church of San Lorenzo, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, is the main church of the village and holds more than seven centuries of history. Its construction dates back to 1338, a time when Manarola was growing thanks to its terraced vineyards and maritime trade. It’s no surprise, then, that the inhabitants wanted to build such a solemn structure, destined to become the center of the community’s religious and social life.

The façade, typical of Ligurian Gothic style, is both simple and imposing. The stone portal with its pointed arch is topped by a lunette depicting the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence, to whom the church is dedicated. The most striking feature, however, is the large rose window made of Carrara marble, added in 1375 — a masterpiece of sculpture, with twelve slender columns and a frame adorned with human and lion motifs.

Next to the church stands the bell tower, separate from the main structure and built on a base that once served as a watchtower.

Crossing the threshold, visitors are greeted by a space that surprises with its breadth and harmony. The layout features three naves: the central one, higher and more majestic, draws the eye toward the main altar. The interior was renovated during the Baroque period, with barrel vaults softening the original Gothic lines, but recent restorations have revealed parts of the medieval structure, creating a fascinating dialogue between different eras.

Among the works preserved inside are two triptychs attributed to the so-called “Master of the Cinque Terre,” an anonymous painter active in the early 16th century. The main altar houses a Madonna and Child between Saint Lawrence and Saint Catherine; in the left aisle, another triptych depicts Saint Lawrence together with Saint Anthony the Abbot and Saint Bernard. Other valuable pieces include a 15th-century wooden crucifix, a Renaissance tabernacle, and, at the entrance, a marble baptismal font beside an ancient public grain measure, used to regulate the cereal trade. It bears the coat of arms of the Republic of Genoa and the inscription Comunitas Manarolae.

An interesting fact: Every year on August 10th, the feast day of Saint Lawrence, Manarola celebrates its patron saint with processions and moments of devotion. The date coincides with the night of the “tears of Saint Lawrence,” when, according to tradition, people look to the sky to watch a shower of shooting stars light up the summer night.