The parish church of Santa Margherita d’Antiochia was built in 1318 and is dedicated to the town’s patron saint. Constructed in the Ligurian Gothic style by the Antelami masters, it stands on the cliff overlooking the small harbour of Vernazza.
According to legend, in ancient times a small wooden box containing the bones of one of Saint Margaret’s fingers was found along the village’s coastline. The locals interpreted this event as a sign to build a church dedicated to her, in a neighbourhood known as ‘isolotto’.
However, due to a violent storm, the relic disappeared, only to reappear some time later in the very spot where it had first been found.
For this reason, the inhabitants decided to build the church overlooking the sea where it stands today.
The building has two entrances: one on the main northern façade and the other, more convenient, in one of the apses overlooking the large tree-lined square with a view of the small harbour.