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The breathtaking San Giovanni Battista of Cervo

If you are looking to go off the beaten track around Cinque Terre, consider visiting the small town of Cervo. This gorgeous colored village on the Ligurian coast, is particularly famous because of the breathtaking San Giovanni Battista dei Corallini (Church of San Giovanni). 

San Giovanni Battista dei Corallini

This church is the central attraction of this town and gorgeous inside out. The construction of this grand church started in 1686 by Marvaldi from Conio. He, along with his son Giacomo Filippo, completed the church by 1778. However, in 1887, the church was damaged in a devastating earthquake that rocked most of the area and Southern France. It left over 2000 people dead and the church in a mess!!

You can imagine how difficult it was to restore it. It took over 50-60 years to restore parts of the church along with the bell tower!!

The picture above shows San Giovanni Battista glistening from the sea.

The town of Cervo looks strikingly beautiful because of the facade of this church which is detailed and beautiful.

I especially loved the dull pastel shades that are soothing and feminine. The inside of the church is breathtaking. It is marbled and part baroque style interiors along with a pulpit from the 16th century. There are also several rich wooden carvings and exquisite altars.

But of course nothing beats the view from outside the church!!

San Giovanni Battista dei Corallini, Cervo

Cervo: The View from San Giovanni Battista

The church of San Giovanni is really a sight to sore eyes. It makes you go WHOA!! Then all you want to do is keep looking at it 😉

My friend Adriana Oberto lives only half a kilometer from the church and has some amazing shots from her home:

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CERVO!! I am literally dying to post a pic of my beloved Cervo! So here it is: wintery and kind of dull-coloured, but even in the winter time I believe it's charming. We had  lot of fun together together with @italophilia, and we visited so much! #adrianaobertophotography #cervoligure #ig_liguria_  #vivo_italia #ig_italy #ig_italia #igersitalia #ig_europa #igworldclub #italiainunoscatto  #top_italia_photo #igworldclub_geo #ig_countryside #volgoliguria #perlestradedellaliguria #vivoliguria #italy_hidden_gem  #yallersitalia #vivosavona  #tagtheflagitaly #phototag_it #loves_liguria #loves_mediterraneo #volgosavona #borghitalia #yallersborghi #loves_united_borghi #pixphotos_ #igramethical

A post shared by Adriana Oberto Photography (@adrianaobertophotography) on

Related Reading:

5 Gorgeous Small towns in Italy

10 Reasons why you should visit Liguria

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