Vernazza is a natural harbour founded around the year 1000. Romans, though, used the bay as a starting point for naval forces during the fight against the Saracens.

In the Maritime Republics' period, Vernazza had a great strategic importance for the Genoa Republic. Vernazza was well known for its shipwrights too.

Significant architectonic elements, such as loggias, arcades and portals, demonstrate that once Vernazza had higher standards of living than the other four villages.       

Vernazza and its castle, with the round tower, are certainly worth a visit.

The Santa Margherita d'Antiochia church is on the the square near the beach.