Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• The First Relative Sea Level Rise and Storm Surges Scenarios up to 2150 CE for the Coasts of Monterosso and Vernazza, Cinque Terre National Park (Liguria, Italy)

  By 2150, the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre coast—already threatened by sea-level rise—could see relative sea levels climb between 60 cm and 1.17 m under high-emission scenarios (SSP5-8.5), potentially flooding up to 22,079 m² of Monterosso’s harbor and Vernazza’s pocket beaches. Storm surges in the same scenario could push waves 13.36 m above current levels. Researchers combined high-resolution topography, tide-gauge records, and storm-surge modeling to project coastal hazards under three IPCC pathways (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, SSP5-8.5), revealing that low-lying harbor areas and narrow beaches are the most vulnerable. The findings underscore the need for targeted adaptation—quay elevation, drainage improvements—to protect critical transport and tourism infrastructure in this World Heritage Site.

  Bosman, A., Anzidei, M., Trippanera, D., Greco, M., Raso, E., Vecchio, A., Alberti, T., Carmisciano, C., Georgiadis, C., Chiappini, M., Doumaz, F., Iafolla, L., Muccini, F., Patias, P., & Serpelloni, E. (2026). The First Relative Sea Level Rise and Storm Surges Scenarios up to 2150 CE for the Coasts of Monterosso and Vernazza, Cinque Terre National Park (Liguria, Italy). Remote Sensing, 18(11), 1735. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18111735

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• Storia della Torre di San Giovanni Battista o Torre Scola vicino a Porto Venere, SP (Italia) e applicazione delle nuove tecnologie di rilevamento per la restituzione 3D e lo studio architettonico

  A groundbreaking application of modern surveying techniques, including aerial photogrammetry with drones and artificial intelligence, has enabled the creation of a highly accurate 3D digital twin of the Torre di San Giovanni Battista (Torre Scola), a historic Genoese fortification near Porto Venere, Italy. This approach overcame the challenges posed by the tower's inaccessible maritime location, allowing for detailed architectural analysis and the production of scale replicas via 3D printing. The study also enhanced historical photographs using AI, providing new tools for both academic research and public engagement. Originally built in 1606 to defend the Gulf of La Spezia, the tower was partially destroyed in 1800 but preserved due to its historical significance. Today, it stands as a potential symbol of tourism in Liguria, gaining prominence through social media and drone imagery.

  Frroku, N., Lami, A., & Xeka, M. (2024). Storia della Torre di San Giovanni Battista o Torre Scola vicino a Porto Venere, SP (Italia) e applicazione delle nuove tecnologie di rilevamento per la restituzione 3D e lo studio architettonico. Defensive Architecture of the Mediterranean Vol. XVI (FORTMED2024). https://doi.org/10.4995/fortmed2024.2024.18103

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• What If an Intense Rain Event Should Trigger Diffuse Shallow Landslides in a Small Mediterranean Catchment? Numerical Modeling Through Remote Sensing Techniques

  A high-detail numerical model, developed using remote sensing data from the H2020 RECONECT project, reveals that intense rainfall events in small Mediterranean catchments can trigger widespread shallow landslides and debris flows, particularly from man-made terraces. This research highlights the vulnerability of culturally significant sites like Portovenere and Cinque Terre, where such hazards pose risks to buildings, infrastructure, and tourism. The model successfully simulates triggering areas, transport channels, deposition zones, and their interaction with exposed elements, offering a scalable approach to assess risk in similar regions. The findings underscore the need for nature-based solutions to mitigate these hazards, which are increasingly common due to climate change.

  Paliaga, G., Ward, S. N., Luino, F., Faccini, F., & Turconi, L. (2024). What If an Intense Rain Event Should Trigger Diffuse Shallow Landslides in a Small Mediterranean Catchment? Numerical Modeling Through Remote Sensing Techniques. Remote Sensing, 16(24), 4658. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16244658

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• Terraced landscape preservation and tourism sustainability in Cinque Terre, Liguria

  Cinque Terre's terraced landscape faces significant challenges from mass tourism despite ongoing preservation efforts. The study reveals a conflict between declared sustainability goals and the risks posed by excessive tourist activity. Since its inscription in 1997 and the establishment of the Cinque Terre National Park in 1999, regional laws have aimed to protect this vulnerable cultural landscape. However, analysis of regulatory frameworks, tourism data, and promotional strategies indicates that the site's ecological and structural integrity remains at risk due to unchecked visitor numbers. This research underscores the urgent need for balanced tourism management to preserve the unique harmony between human ingenuity and nature that defines Cinque Terre.

  Acacia, S., Casanova, M., Macchioni, E., Pompejano, F., Repetti, C., & Segantin, F. (2023). Terraced landscape preservation and tourism sustainability in Cinque Terre, Liguria. Ethical and Responsible Tourism, 123–141. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003358688-11

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• Landscape Perception and Public Participation for the Conservation and Valorization of Cultural Landscapes: The Case of the Cinque Terre and Porto Venere UNESCO Site

  Public participation significantly enhances the effectiveness of management plans for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, particularly in addressing threats to cultural landscapes. A study on Porto Venere and Cinque Terre revealed that involving local communities—specifically farmers and residents—helped identify critical issues such as the abandonment of terraced cultivations and secondary forest growth, which pose risks like landslides. This engagement also strengthened community trust in institutional efforts. The research suggests that active public involvement is crucial for conserving fragile, high-quality landscapes and improving decision-making processes.

  Santoro, A., Venturi, M., & Agnoletti, M. (2021). Landscape Perception and Public Participation for the Conservation and Valorization of Cultural Landscapes: The Case of the Cinque Terre and Porto Venere UNESCO Site. Land, 10(2), 93. https://doi.org/10.3390/land10020093

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• Gastronomy tourism experiences: the cooking classes of Cinque Terre

  A study on gastronomy tourism in Cinque Terre, Italy, reveals that cooking classes significantly enhance tourist experiences through four interconnected dimensions: involvement, hedonism, local culture, and knowledge. These dimensions often overlap, creating complex bonds that enrich the overall experience. The research analyzed online reviews from TripAdvisor using an experiential framework to assess how tourists perceive these interactive foodscapes. This finding contributes to the understanding of third-generation gastronomy tourism, emphasizing the role of participation in culinary activities within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

  Kokkranikal, J., & Carabelli, E. (2021). Gastronomy tourism experiences: the cooking classes of Cinque Terre. Tourism Recreation Research, 49(1), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2021.1975213

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• The International Terraced Landscapes Alliance Journal 2021 Volume 2 Number 2

  A mosaic of women-led initiatives across terraced landscapes reveals diverse strategies for heritage revitalization, blending local activism with sustainable transformations. In Arcens, France, a 19th-century garden's rehabilitation united authorities, schools, and associations to restore dry stone wall practices, emphasizing historical and ecological education. Valbrenta, Italy, showcased the 'Adopt a Terrace' initiative as a dynamic process of memory and adaptation, leading to sustainable landscape redesigns. In Peru’s Yauyos region, Andean women’s personal perceptions highlighted the cultural significance of terraces, while Cinque Terre, Italy, demonstrated a grassroots activism model that scales globally without losing local roots. These cases underscore the potential for collaborative, gender-inclusive approaches to preserve and transform terraced landscapes worldwide.

  Editor-In-Chief: Dr. Lucija Ažman Momirski, Deputy Editor-In-Chief: Dr. Timmi Tillmann, & Editorial Assistant: Dr. Tomaž Berčič. (2021). The International Terraced Landscapes Alliance Journal 2021 Volume 2 Number 2. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.8123258

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