Hiking in Monterosso – Monterosso to Soviore

Trail number 9

21^st of August 2013

Although it wasn’t the celebrated day of La Madonna da Soviore, I still wanted to embark on the traditional pilgrimage from Monterosso to Santuario di N. S. di Soviore.

The start of the hike can be found right at the top of via Roma, look out for the red and white markings indicating trial number 9. It begins with a series of stairs passing the last few houses of Monterosso and soon opens up onto a sandy path were lizards scurry past you to find shelter in the bushes alongside.

The shrine that exhibits a beautiful Prayer of the Pilgrim

A few steps into the hike I came across a little shrine where I stopped and read the Prayer of the Pilgrim. It is a beautiful prayer that adds a deeper meaning to your hike, as when you read it, the words alter a mere trail into a pilgrimage.

Prayer of the pilgrim

Walk, you are born for the walk

Walk, you have an appointment.

Where? With who?

You still do not know

Maybe with you alone.

 Walk

Your steps are maybe your words

The road, your song

Your fatigue, your prayer

At the end your silence will speak to you.

Walk

Alone, with others

But you exit alone

You create your rivals

You find your company

You imagine your enemies

You make your brothers

Walk

Your mind does not know where

Steps lead to your heart

Walk

You are born to go along the road

That of the pilgrim

Another walk coming towards you

And you search

Because you might find

A sanctuary along your walk

A sanctuary deep in your heart

 He is your peace

He is your joy

Go

God already walks with you

Along the trial you will come across a shrine for Madonna da Soviore and beautiful views of Monterosso with the Sanctuary of Soviore on top of the mountain

The trail ascends into the mountains and at times does seem a little hard going as you are always in ascent. There are not many flat paths offering a break. However, there are numerous spots where you can enjoy the view and catch your breath.  The hike is also mostly in the open sun with only a few sections that pass under the shade of the trees.

At one point you will need to cross the main road to continue the trail. The path continues into the forest of pine and chestnut trees. The Cappella di Santa Maria, an abandoned chapel along the path, offers a lovely surprise as one walks up the mountain.

Cappella di Santa Maria along the trail to the Sanctuary of Soviore

After an hour of hiking up the mountain I reached Santuario di N. S. di Soviore. As I had embarked on this hike at midday I was begging for a fountain but could not find one. Later I found out that the fountain can be found near the bar (note to self!)

The entrance to the Sanctuary of Soviore

Soviore’s name is derived from the Latin word Subvioris, which means ‘under the road’. The name is associated with the road that passes the sanctuary as it is the road that allows one to travel from the inland regions to the sea.

Views from Santuario di N. S. di Soviore

The first document to refer to the sanctuary that was found dates back to 1225. The sanctuary underwent remarkable development in the time of the Black Plague (1348) when it served as a hospital and a refuge for pilgrims.

The frescoes in the church are beautiful to view, not to mention the ceramic chandeliers and carved wooden doors. It is well worth your time to take a few minutes to admire the beautiful intricacies the church St. Maria has to offer.

St. Maria at Soviore

Instead of following the same path back to Monterosso I descended the mountain on the footpath and diverted onto the main road to continue down into the village.

Monterosso as viewed from the main road leading into the town

Although the descent also took me an hour, the extra minutes were well worth it as the Mediterranean views were spectacular.

It will take more time to walk down the main road to Monterosso but the coastal views are worth the extra minutes