Cultural and natural heritage of italy. World heritage in italy
Tuscany's glorious past is a daily source of inspiration and creativity for new generations. It is loved by artists and intellectuals; many people dream of visiting it at least once in their lives.
Chapel di Vitaleta in the Val d'Orcia © CICERUACCHIO / Flickr.com
Historic center of Florence
The city arose on the site of a Roman fortification. Its center is a real treasure trove of priceless works of art, humanistic culture and architecture.
On Cathedral Square, you can admire the main monuments of the Renaissance: the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore (the structure of the church is an example of Italian Gothic), near which is the bell tower of Giotto. But the basilica is crowned with a majestic dome by Filippo Brunelleschi. This dome has become a real symbol of the Renaissance. Opposite the cathedral is the Baptistery, one of the oldest buildings in Florence, combining elements of early Christian and Romanesque architecture, with the "Paradise Gate" by Lorenzo Ghiberti.
Panoramic view of the city and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore © Shutterstock.com
Then we move on to Palazzo Medici Riccardi: this palace, one of the first examples of Renaissance architecture, was designed by the architect Michelozzo. Nearby is the Basilica of San Lorenzo, created by Brunelleschi for the Medici family. In its interior there are two sacristy (sacristy), Old and New, decorated with works by Donatello and Michelangelo. By the way, if you want to see one of Buonarroti's greatest works, David, you should visit the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery. Not far away, in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, is another magnificent example of Renaissance architecture, Ospedale degli Innocenti (literally “Shelter of the Innocent”, Europe's first orphanage), with its famous vaulted loggia. Other monuments include Palazzo Strozzi and the Church of Santa Maria Novella.
Basilica and Piazza Santa Croce © GTS Productions / Shutterstock.com
Walking along Via dei Calzaiuoli, you will find yourself in Piazza della Signoria, the cultural and political center of the city, overlooking the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, with a unique collection of Renaissance paintings. The Basilica of Santa Croce is nearby.
Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio © Shutterstock.com
Per Ponte Vecchio, or the Old Bridge, is the Oltrarno quarter, where you can still find old artisan shops, still working according to traditional technologies. Florence is not only about architecture, but also a special spirit of the artisan community, which brings to mind the handicraft and highest quality production.
Florence is the heir to a glorious past, carefully preserved for future generations, a unique place with a unique atmosphere.
Historic center of Siena
In the historic center of Siena, each building was designed and built with the overall city plan in mind, resulting in an architectural masterpiece unparalleled in the world. Gothic medieval buildings are surviving proofs of the high technical and artistic level of the architects who worked on the appearance of Siena in the past.
Panoramic view of the city and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta © Botond Horvath / Shutterstock.com
The architectural masterpieces of the Renaissance are literally everywhere and within walking distance, waiting for the next visitors and researchers who want to get acquainted with the history of this city. You can walk along popular places and feel like a Sienese of those times. It is worth starting with the most famous architectural monument - Palazzo Publiko in Piazza del Campo. The palace houses, among other things, the lavishly decorated Conchistoro Hall, on the ceiling of which the artist Domenico Beccafumi created an allegorical cycle of frescoes on the theme of Political Virtues in 1529-1535. It is one of the most enchanting fresco cycles of the era.
The street medieval town© Shutterstock.com
On the nearby Via dei Pellegrini, leading to the Baptistery, the same Beccafumi, commissioned by the landlord Sarcello Agostini, executed a cycle of frescoes on mythological subjects. These frescoes are one of the pinnacles of painting in the Italian Cinquecento. Almost opposite is the Palazzo del Magnifico, once the residence of Pandolfo Petrucci, ruler of Siena. Only the walls remained from it, and the furniture and interiors were divided between city and foreign museums. From its rich fresco decoration, only the composition "The Flight of Aeneas from Troy" by Girolamo Jenga, which is now kept in the Siena National Pinacoteca, one of the richest Tuscan collections of medieval and Renaissance art, has survived.
View of Piazza del Campo © Ventura / Shutterstock.com
Nearby is the Palazzo Piccolomini, built by order of the heirs of Pope Pius II. It is a classic example of Renaissance architecture, probably designed by Bernardo Rossellino, a papal architect. Today it houses the archives of Siena and the Museum delle Bikkerne, dedicated to the painted covers of the books of the finance department of the municipality of Siena, which were commissioned by renowned artists.
Having made general idea about Sienese painting, it is worth moving to the walls of the Palazzo Chigi Saracini on Via di Citta, where the most significant works of artists such as Sano di Pietro, Girolamo del Pacchia, Sodoma and Beccafumi are kept.
Pienza, the "ideal city"
From medieval town to a monumental masterpiece: by the will of Pope Pius II, Pienza became a symbol and an example of the perfect architecture of the Renaissance. An ideal city, with beautiful buildings and squares designed by Alberti in collaboration with Rossellino, is the first attempt to apply the ideas of the philosophy of humanism to urban planning.
History Center Chicks, Pia II Square: in the center - the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, on the left - the Episcopal Palace, on the right - the Piccolomini Palace © Shutterstock.com
Pienza is located in the magnificent Val d'Orcia. The city was founded in 1405 by the will of Pope Pius II (before that there was a little Borgo Corsignano), who wanted to create an ideal city, contrasting with another city, also belonging to his family, Siena. He assembled a team of the best artists and architects and asked them to create a project that takes into account the philosophy of a new, promising era - the Italian Renaissance. In just three years, from 1459 to 1462, Pienza - The Ideal City, the City of Utopia, was built. The city emerged as the fruit of “thoughts of love and dreams of beauty,” as Giovanni Pascoli wrote.
Towers of san gimignano
The towers of San Gimignano still proudly rise above its palaces and churches. This city is an exceptional embodiment of medieval culture, where art, architecture and history fused into an elegant and solemn image that has preserved for us many masterpieces of Italian art from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Panoramic view of the city of San Gimignano © Shutterstock.com
This is a real gem of the Val d'Elsa valley: wherever you are, you will see the ancient towers directed into the sky, giving San Gimignano a unique flavor. Only in this place the appearance of the Tuscan city of the XIII-XIV centuries has been preserved. Walking along these streets, you get the impression that you really ended up in the Middle Ages.
The streets of the city are located on the hillsides covered with greenery. Everything here breathes with the traditions of the past. Walking through the historic center, you will see the preserved 13 tower houses. In the period of their maximum prosperity, there were 72. The towers were a symbol of power, and wealthy families sought to surpass the towers of rivals in the height of their home.
Cathedral Square of San Gimignano © Shutterstock.com
San Gimignano is also famous for its white wine vernaccia, one of the most prestigious in Italy. It has been produced here since the 13th century. Another traditional and ancient product is saffron, which made a significant contribution to the economy of San Gimignano during the Middle Ages.
"Square of Miracles" in Pisa
Piazza dei Miracoli, or Piazza dei Miracoli, is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architectural style, which organically combines classical, early Christian, Lombard and oriental motives. The ensemble of the square includes the Pisa Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Campo Santo cemetery and, of course, the famous Leaning Tower.
Cathedral and Leaning Tower in the Square of Miracles in Pisa © ELEPHOTOS / Shutterstock.com
The construction of the Baptistery began in 1152 and took 200 years to complete. The baptistery chair was made by the great sculptor Nicola Pisano. It is noteworthy that the echo inside the baptistery changes its tone if sounds are made while standing on one side of the baptismal font. Also on the square is the Campo Santo cemetery, which is 130 meters long. It faces the square with 43 blind arches. To the right of Campo Santo stands the Pisa Cathedral, a perfect example of Romanesque architecture. Its construction began in 1063. The huge building is completely tiled with marble. Behind the cathedral is the famous Leaning Tower, which is 56 meters high.
Val d'Orcia cultural landscape: art and landscapes
The edge of the hills, where harmony reigns, - this is how Val d'Orcia appears if you slowly roll along it on a bicycle. These views, with sky-high cypresses and roads winding in unpredictable trajectories, have traditionally inspired poets, writers and artists. At dawn and dusk, the tops of the cypress trees look like brushes that paint the horizon.
Sunrise in the San Quirico d'Orcia Valley © Shaiith / Shutterstock.com
Clay, ravines, white limestones, rolling vineyards, olive groves and fields balance the urban beauty of Pienza and Montalcino. Such architectural masterpieces as the Abbey of Sant'Antimo, the cathedral church of San Quirico, the fortresses of Radicofani and d'Orcia, the medieval baths in Bagno Vignoli and the Ospedaletto farm form an integral image of rare beauty.
Medici villas and gardens
We are talking about 14 villas and gardens belonging to the Medici family, monuments of secular architecture, designed by the best architects in the 15th-18th centuries.
Villa Medici in Poggio a Caiano © Shutterstock.com
The first two villas are located in Trebbio and Cafajolo al Mugello, where the Medici family is from. In Poggio a Caiano is the Villa Medici, built by Giuliano da Sangallo at the end of the 15th century on the site of the former villa of the Strozzi family. It belonged to Lorenzo the Magnificent and has hosted many historical figures, including King Victor Emmanuel II. This villa is distinguished by simple and noble architecture, from the accents there is a strict portico on the terrace on the ground floor level: a two-flight staircase leads to the harmonious central loggia, located on this terrace, built according to the classical canons. The inside of the villa looks like a small museum: its walls are decorated with 16th century frescoes, and from the outside it is surrounded by a magnificent park.
Villa Artimino, also known as "La Ferdinanda" or the Villa of a Hundred Fireplaces, and the surrounding park. Top view © immaginefoto.com
Not far from Comeana is "La Ferdinanda", also known as Villa Artimino, built by the architect Bernardo Buontalenti by order of Ferdinando I Medici at the end of the 16th century.
Villa Medicia di Castella, built in the style of Renaissance architecture, is located in the eponymous locality... It was restored by Vasari and the surrounding garden was designed by Tribolo. Today this villa is the seat of the Accademia della Crusca, an expert council in the field of linguistics and philology of the Italian language.
The Medici Villa in Petraia is considered one of the most beautiful residences in the area. It received its present appearance as a result of the reconstruction according to the Buontalenti project (in the second half of the 16th century), carried out on behalf of Ferdinando I. Another Medici villa is located not far from Fiesole. It is called "Bel canto" or "Palagio di Fiesole". Its construction was ordered by Cosimo the Elder, and the project was developed by Michelozzo (1458-1461).
Villa Medici in Petraia. Top view of the villa and the surrounding garden © footage.framepool.com
Villa Medicea di Carreggi is located on the outskirts of Florence. It was acquired by the Medici family in the first half of the 15th century and rebuilt according to Michelozzi's design. The customer was Cosimo the Elder. The villa is surrounded by a magnificent park and became the favorite residence of Cosimo, where he died in 1464.
Villa Medici in Fiesole. Parterre on the lower terrace of the garden © Cecil Pinset / Wikimedia Commons
"Lorraine" Villa Medici is located in Poggio Imperial, one kilometer from Porta Romana. On one side, it rises over the Ema Valley, and on the other, over all of Florence. It was built in 1427 and belonged to the Baroncelli, Pondolfini and Salviati families until purchased by the Medici family. Its reconstruction was carried out in 1622-1625 under the leadership of the architect Giulio Parigi, and then again at the end of the 18th century by the architect Gaspare Maria Paoletti, who remodeled the summer residence. It acquired its current neoclassical appearance in the 19th century, the author of the project was Pasquale Pochcianti. In 1864, King Victor Emmanuel placed the Collegio Santissima Annunziata women's boarding house in the villa.
Villa Medici "La Maggia di Quarrata" © viaggiointorno.it
Villa Medici "La Maggia di Quarrata" is located on northern slopes mountain range of Montalbano. A massive square-shaped fortification rises above the gentle hills of the foothills. The villa was acquired in 1583 by the Grand Duke Francesco I of Medici, who also began to rebuild it. Probably, the architect Bernardo Buontalenti took part in the project of re-laying the utilities.
Italy is famous for the world's richest cultural traditions. The achievements of Italians in art, architecture, literature, music and science have had a great influence on the development of culture in many other countries.
Long before the emergence of the civilization of Ancient Rome, the cultures of the Etruscans in Tuscany and the Greeks in southern Italy developed. After the fall of the Roman Empire in Italy, culture fell into decay, and only in the 11th century. the first signs of its revival appeared. It reached its new heyday in the 14th century. During the Renaissance, Italians played a leading role in European science and art. Then such outstanding artists and sculptors as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo, writers Dante, Petrarca and Boccaccio worked.
The culture of Italy is, first of all, artists and paintings. It is not scary to repeat myself and say that if you live in Italy, then you live in an "art gallery", Italy has concentrated more cultural heritage than you can imagine. In fact, it will be fair to say that if something was painted, played, eaten, sung, molded or written, then it was done in an uplifting mood, and the result is presented in the highest artistic form. The world has a lot to thank the Italians for.
Writers ranging from Virgil, Ovid, Horak, Livy and Cicero, and ending with Dante, Petrarch. Boccaccio, Ficino, Mirandolo and Vasari were all Italians and all were born in this blessed land. Modern Italian literature emerged in the 13th and 14th centuries, developed from its Latin heritage, written in many of the country's dialects, and the works of Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio, who wrote mainly in the Florentine dialect.
Italian cuisine has absorbed the traditions and tastes of many regions of Italy, while retaining the distinctive characteristics of each area even after undergoing the Pan-Italian influence in the hands of the chefs and developing into a unique cuisine that is known throughout the world. Changes in cuisine can be traced from the rich and creamy dishes of the north to the hot and spicy dishes of the south. Northern Emilia - Romagna, has produced the best known dishes - spaghetti bolognese, lasagne and tortellini, as well as homemade prosciutto and mortadella. Liguria is the home of pesto, the mainstay of all cafes in the world, apart from Hochzeitsauto Dortmund in Germany. Spectacular vegetable dishes and pasta are served with seafood and exotic rissotto frog meat, donkey steak or puddingoi. Desserts - cassata, cannoli, zabaglione, granita and marzipan - come from the Sicilian diet, while Sardinia is known for its mouth-watering roast suckling pig. Coffee, beer and wine are delicious all over the country without exception.
The culture of Italy has a very strong influence on world culture. Cinema would not be what it is now if it were not for the very Italian Marcello Mastroiani, Anna Magnani, Gina Lolobrigida, Sophia Loren and producers Lucino Visconti, Roberto Rossellini, Frederico Fellini, Michelangelo Anthony and Bernardo Bertolucci.
The Italians also brought a lot to the musical culture of Italy, they invented the piano and the modern system of musical notation, as well as Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Bellini and Rossini.
"Italy in Russian" - the largest information portal about ItalyThe glory of Italy as a country famous all over the world for its cultural works, artistic and architectural masterpieces, unique natural beauties, imposes some responsibilities: many of the material and intangible values require constant attention and special, careful attitude - so that the heritage of the past can serve and future generations.
Villa Cafagiolo. Photo it.wikipedia.org
Umbria
Villa Hadrian in Tivoli near Rome (1999) - the best-preserved example of an imperial villa. The villa is a complex of classical buildings (originally there were about 30), built in the II century under the Emperor Hadrian.
Villa d'Este in Tivoli(2001) is one of the most striking and significant examples of Renaissance culture during its heyday. The design of the villa's park in an innovative solution (fountains, swimming pools, small architectural forms) became a model for the subsequent development of gardens and parks throughout Europe.
Villa d'Este. Photo promptguides.com
Etruscan necropolises in Cerveteri and Tarquinia(2004) are unique evidence of the ancient Etruscan civilization and reflect the methods of burial in the 9th-1st centuries BC. The excellent quality wall paintings with which many tombs are painted tell about various aspects of Etruscan life.
Campaign
Historic center of Naples, which has preserved traces of Mediterranean cultures replacing each other over the centuries, was included in the World Heritage List in 1995. One of the most ancient cities in Europe, Naples is famous for such outstanding monuments as the castle of Castel Nuovo, the fortress of Castel del Ovo, the Church of Santa Chiara and many others.
Amalfi coast(1997) is an example of a Mediterranean landscape of exceptional beauty and natural diversity. Coastal cities such as Amalfi and Ravello are home to many architectural and artistic treasures.
Amalfi Coast. Photovisititaly.it
Archaeological Zones - Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata(1997). The ruins of the two ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and their surroundings, which died after the eruption of Vesuvius in 79, were excavated and presented for viewing in the 18th century, giving full presentation about the society and everyday life of that period.
Royal Palace of Caserta with park, Vanvitelli aqueduct and San Leucho factory village(1997) - this palace complex was created in the 18th century by Vanvitelli in an attempt to surpass Versailles and Royal Palace in Madrid. A magnificent palace surrounded by parks and natural landscape, a silk-spinning factory with houses for workers reflect the Age of Enlightenment well.
Palace in Caserta. Photo travelbefore.it
The cultural landscape of the Cilento area, the Vallo di Diano national park, archaeological sites Paestuma and Elea, Monastery of Certosa di Padula (1998). Since ancient times, the Cilento area has served as a crossroads important for cultural, political, trade communications, as reflected by the group of settlements and sanctuaries located along the three mountain ranges.
Puglia
Castel del Monte castle(1996), built by Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century near Bari, is an absolutely regular octagonal structure - a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, combining oriental, classical and northern European elements.
Castel del Monte. Photo whc.unesco.org
Trulli - traditional residential buildings in the town of Alberobello(1996). These are unique houses with conical roofs, built according to the ancient drywall technology, which is still used in this region.
Trulli. Photo filmapia.com
Basilicata
"I-Sassi di Matera" - rock settlements near the town of Matera(1993) is an outstanding and well-preserved example of a cave city. Having managed to perfectly adapt to the conditions of the local landscape, people lived here already in the Paleolithic period.
Sicily
Ancient Roman Villa Del Casale(1997) is located near the town of Piazza Armerina and is one of the most luxurious buildings from the 4th century. The rich, well-preserved mosaics that adorn almost every room are the main attraction of the villa.
Archaeological sites in the city of Agrigento(1997). Founded in 580 BC as a Greek colony, Agrigento reached its peak in the 5th century BC, becoming one of the most major cities the ancient Mediterranean. Remains of temples and other buildings tell about its former greatness, about periods of development, although much remains to be discovered during excavations.
Temple of Agrigento. Photo it.wikipedia.org
Aeolian Islands(2000) provide insight into modern volcanic processes, having been the object of observation by scientists since at least the 18th century and have significantly enriched geology and volcanology, in particular with examples of two different types of eruptions.
Late Baroque towns in the Noto Valley(2002). Eight cities in the southeast of Sicily - Caltagirone, Militello in Val di Catania, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo Acreide, Ragusa, Scicli, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1693 in the same late Baroque style, are characterized by innovative times, building methods.
Antique Syracuse and the rocky necropolis of Pantalica(2005). The historical part of Syracuse is a unique testimony to the development of the Mediterranean over more than three millennia - from Byzantium to the Bourbons. In the necropolis of Pantalica, you can see more than 5,000 rock tombs, most of which date back to the 13th-7th centuries. BC.
Mount Etna(2013) is one of the most representative volcanoes in the world, with activity continuing for at least the last 2,700 years. Etna has the longest documented history of volcanic activity. It is the tallest and most interesting active volcano in Europe.
Mount Etna. Photo flickr.com
Sardinia
Prehistoric towers of Su-Nuraksi in Barumini(1997) - an archaeological complex consisting of Nuraghe towers in the form of truncated cones, which were built as defensive fortifications at the end of the 2nd millennium BC. The Su-Nuraksi complex is the most complete example of Nuragic architecture.
In 2011, two new sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, covering several regions at once:
Longobards in Italy(Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Umbria, Campania, Apulia) - this UNESCO site covers seven groups of buildings (fortresses, churches, monasteries) in Italy, telling about the stay of the Longobards on the Apennine Peninsula in the 6th-8th centuries.
Prehistoric pile dwellings in the vicinity of the Alps(Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino - Alto Adige) - this UNESCO site includes the remnants of prehistoric pile settlements that have come down to us, which were built in the Alps from about 5000 to 500 BC. on the shores of lakes, rivers or in swampy areas.
In addition to the above sites, on the Apennine Peninsula there are two more sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - the Vatican State (1984) and the State of San Marino (the historic center of San Marino and Mount Monte Titano, 2008).
Intangible UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Sicilian Puppet Theater "Opera dei Pupi"(2001, 2008) is a puppet theater that appeared in Sicily at the beginning of the 19th century. In their performances, the puppeteers, improvising, told sagas and legends about knights, saints and robbers. The two schools of the Sicilian puppet theater (Catania and Palermo) differ from each other both in the technique of puppet movements and in the plot of the performances. The secrets of this art were passed down strictly from father to son.
Sicilian Puppet Theater. Photo casavacanzainsicilia.com
Country songs of Sardinia "Canto a Tenore"(2005, 2008) - a special kind of traditional shepherd's choral singing, one of a kind, which was born in the pre-Christian era as an imitation of the sounds of nature and animals.
Mediterranean diet(2010, jointly with Spain, Greece and Morocco) is a dietary pattern characteristic of the Mediterranean basin countries, which has grown in interest in recent years far beyond Europe.
What has wonderful Italy given to the world? It is home to a huge number of famous scientists and brilliant artists, it houses most of all objects in the world that are taken under the protection of UNESCO, and the very nature of Italy is incredibly diverse and beautiful! Rome is overflowing with historical monuments, Venice is full of romance, the glorious history of Florence, which rivaled Milan located to the north - in this country attractions are everywhere.
1. Valley of the Temples of Sicily
In sunny Sicily, you can see one of its most beautiful sights - the Valley of the Temples, located in Agrigento - this is the name of a large archaeological site. There are many remnants of ancient pagan temples dating back to the 5th century BC.
2. Cinque Terre
This National park protected by UNESCO, is one of the purest corners of pristine Italian nature, the pride of Liguria. The UNESCO list includes some of the most beautiful places in Italy - the picturesque terraces of the Cinque Terre. This reserve is so called because it consists of five small towns with a simple provincial life, without the cutting eyes of its architecture of modern buildings, and the air here is so clean that it literally intoxicates. Diluted with vineyards and olive groves, the colorful houses of the Cinque Terre run down to the sea along rocky terraces.
3. Uffizi Gallery
In the famous Florentine Uffizi gallery, it is close to the masterpieces of world painting. The list of the names of the authors of the paintings can make your head spin: da Vinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Durer, as well as many other painters and sculptors of world renown. You shouldn't even try to walk around the numerous halls of the gallery in one day, it is better to live in Florence for a while and savor the masterpieces in a leisurely atmosphere.
Everyone who is lucky enough to visit Italy can rightfully call this country great, beautiful, unforgettable and different. Probably not in ...
4. Colosseum
Centrally located Of the eternal city The Colosseum is famous all over the world. For about two millennia, its huge amphitheater attracts a curious audience to its terraces. And always the main "dish" here was some special spectacle: gladiator fights, the battle of animals or the persecution of the first Christians. Colosseum means "big" in Latin. And this is not an exaggeration, because once it could accommodate 50,000 spectators, which is still impressive today.
5. The cave city of Sassi di Matera
This city is carved into the rocks and scorched by the southern sun. Prehistoric people once lived here, in fact, it is a network of caves located at different levels. The intricate labyrinth contains many caves and underground passages that hide ancient artifacts.
6. Pompeii
By 79, the coast of the Gulf of Naples was quite densely populated, and its inhabitants blithely admired the smoking summit of Vesuvius. But one not the most beautiful day came when the mountain exploded, a column of ash rose to the sky for many kilometers, and deadly pyroclastic flows rushed downward, which killed most of the inhabitants, and the ashes fell asleep and, thereby, preserved the city for many centuries.
7. Amalfi Coast
Paradise can be called the Amalfi Coast, from which you just do not want to leave. Here the Lattari mountain range rises to the sea and forms a winding coastline with typical Mediterranean vegetation and picturesque villages scattered here and there. The city of Amalfi has an ancient history, culture and folklore. To get to know the distinctive Italy better, you definitely need to come here.
8. Historic center of Siena
Although Siena is inferior to its eternal historical rival Florence in terms of cultural heritage, it also has its own charm. Tourists are especially interested in the old city center, where there is something to see.
9. Vatican
In the center of Rome, there is a unique mini-state Vatican, which is a continuous attraction. It occupies a fairly large quarter, surrounded by a high wall and having an entrance from St. Peter's Square and the basilica of the same name. But the Vatican is not only of great cultural value. It is the capital of the Catholic world. Pilgrims from all over the world strive to get to the holy city, believing that here they can find harmony and be purified in spirit. And inside the Vatican there are countless masterpieces, including the famous Sistine Chapel.
10. Basilica of St. Mark
Saint Mark the Evangelist was buried in this basilica, so it turned out to be closely connected with the history of Venice and all of Italy. It is located near the Grand Canal, and its majestic outline dominates the presenting St. Mark's Square. Many artists are inspired by the beauty of this place.
11. Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is located between the Capitoline and Palatine Hills of the Eternal City. There are still grandiose excavations going on there. If someone is going to visit the capital of Italy, then he should definitely visit the heart of the ancient Roman Empire.
12. Blue Grotto in Capri
Opposite Naples, the island of Capri is remarkable in many ways. One of its amazing natural attractions is the Blue Grotto. When the sun's rays begin to penetrate the inside of the cave through the thickness of the sea water, it is illuminated in neon blue. Observing this phenomenon will certainly delight travelers.
13. Venetian Grand Canal
While in Venice, you can take a waterbus to sail along the Grand Canal. Thanks to this comfortable excursion, the traveler will plunge into ancient history cities. The most famous Venetian canal is more than 3.5 kilometers long, it crosses all 6 districts of the historical center of the city, and along its banks there are architectural masterpieces here and there.
The eternal city can be thought of as one big attraction. People around the world are well aware of the most iconic Roman buildings, magnificent plat ...
14. Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is familiar to everyone from school, it is the most recognizable landmark of this city. The architects clearly miscalculated with the construction site of the tower and, of course, were not going to make it so inclined. When the construction reached only the third tier, the foundation of the tower could not stand, sagged, and the slope of the structure became obvious. Over the centuries, it only increased. For several decades, various projects have been proposed to rescue the landmark, aimed at strengthening the foundation and stopping the process of the building falling.
15. Santa Maria del Fiore
The famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, located in Florence, stands out for its dome and expressive flowers. The building dominates the historic city center. Several outstanding architects worked on its creation, who managed to create an incredibly beautiful architectural masterpiece.
16. Roman Fountain of Trevi
Among the labyrinth of ancient streets of Rome, one of the pearls of the Eternal City is hidden - the Trevi Fountain, which is an outstanding example of graceful Baroque architecture. This is one of the most beautiful and famous fountains in the whole world. It is very popular with tourists who throw kilos of coins into its bowl every day.
17. Assisi
In Italian Umbria, there is the ancient town of Assisi, in which St. Francis founded his order and the first monastery. Today, up to 5 million tourists come here annually, which is many times more local population... They come to see the monastery complex, which includes the 13th century church of San Francesco, in the crypt of which a shrine with the relics of St. Francis is kept. The walls of the building are painted with frescoes depicting events from the life of the saint. The same is located here. ancient church Santa Chiara, near which is the tomb of St. Clara of Assisi, as well as the even more ancient cathedral (XII century) of San Rufino in the Romanesque style.
Florence is the administrative center of the province of Tuscany and the center of Renaissance architecture and art, during which the city was important and ...
18. Vesuvius
This, albeit inactive, but still active, the volcano in 79 destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum located at its foot. It last erupted in 1944. On the this moment its height is 1281 meters. Extreme tourists even try to enter its crater. But to feel that the volcano is alive and just sleeping, it is enough to rise above a thousand meters to smell the sulfur and the warmth of the surrounding stones.
19. Valle d'Aosta
This small region of Italy is the most sparsely populated. There are many mountain rivers and flowering alpine meadows. For true connoisseurs of natural beauty, this the best place for relax.
20. Caves of the Frasassi gorge
If a bad day happens during your vacation in Italy, then you can spend it usefully if you go to the Frasassi gorge, where you can make a 75-minute journey "to the center of the earth." The travel route here runs through one of the world's largest karst complexes, along which stairs and convenient passages are equipped.
21. Roman Pantheon
The magnificent building of the ancient Roman pantheon became not only an example of high antique architecture, but also a revolutionary breakthrough in construction technology. He became a touchstone for a string of later buildings to emulate him. The building, despite its enormous age, has been perfectly preserved, so tourists have the opportunity to visit it. It is especially spectacular inside at noon, when a column of sunlight falls almost vertically through a circular hole in the center of the giant dome.
22. Villa Hadrian in Tivoli
This is the name of a whole complex of imperial apartments located near Rome. A large atrium, a huge vestibule, premises for slaves, baths, the Canopic Museum, the Temple of Apollo, the Greek theater, a library with the writings of the Greeks and Romans have reached us. In the courtyard there was a swimming pool with fish, surrounded by a garden.
Almost in any Italian city there are old palaces or temples, and in the narrow streets of the old quarters, paved with cobblestones, the time seems to be all about ...
23. San Gimignano
In Tuscany, near Florence, there is the town of San Gimignano, which was able to preserve medieval view... It is easy to imagine a knight armed with a sword walking along a narrow street. The city has 14 ancient towers and an interesting historical museum.
24. Milan Cathedral (Duomo)
The pearl of Milan has become Cathedral wearing features of the fiery Gothic style. This is the fifth largest christian temple on the planet, and it looks unusually impressive. It is decorated with about 3 thousand magnificent statues, luxurious interiors, and with observation deck at the top of the cathedral, you can view the whole of Milan.
25. City of Trulli Alberobello
Small white "gnomish" houses with a conical roof are very reminiscent of fabulous ones. Similar houses can be seen on the shore Adriatic sea in the town of Alborobello. It is easy for him to compete with other famous Italian sights, because he is able to surprise. There are no such structures as trulli anywhere else in the world. The ancestors of modern residents built these houses using a unique technology - there was a foundation stone in the foundation, after the removal of which the house was completely destroyed. It saved ... from paying taxes.
World heritage project emblem
The Vatican was not ignored either: in 1984 it was included in the World Heritage List in its entirety - both the imposing walls, and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, and the Michelangelo dome of the Basilica of San Pietro and the Basilica itself with all its architectural and artistic contents created by the greats Italian craftsmen - from Bramante to Bernini.
Cave temple of Maria degli Angeli, Matera
Antiquity
Among the pre-Christian monuments, the first positions are occupied by the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but no less valuable are the excavations in Agrigento, the Nuraghe in the Sardinian Barumini, Roman Aquileia, the ancient Roman mosaic Villa del Casale in Sicily and Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, the Etruscan and Cervetian necropolises in Tarquinia, as well as the Sicilian Pantalica. The UNESCO initiative made it possible to literally save some of the sites, whose decline and final destruction were just around the corner. One of the most striking examples is Sassi, a unique rock-cut historic center of Matera, located in the Basilicata region. The passage of this stunning monument ancient architecture from the category "National Shame" straight to the honorary Unesc list brought not only fame and endless streams of visitors to the entire southern region lagging behind in terms of tourism, but also funds to restore the sight and bring it into a divine form.
Seven objects were included in the 2011 year in the Italian List under one common name: Possessions of the Lombards in Italy. These are the Lombard Temple in Cividale del Friuli (Udine), the San Salvatore complex in Santa Giulia (Brescia), the Castelseprio (Varese) castle, another Temple in Clitunno a Campello (Perugia), the San Salvatore Basilica in Spoleto (Perugia), the Church of Santa Sophia (Benevento) and the Sanctuary of San Michele (Foggia).
Crespi d-Adda
Modernity
Separately, it should be noted that more or less modern objects have been added to the World Heritage List. So, in 1995, the picturesque 19th century working village in the Cinque Terre near Sicily, as well as the valley of the Orcia River (Val d "Orcia) in Tuscany, famous for its panoramic views, were awarded this honor - all of them were included in the list World Heritage Site from 1997 to 2004.
Were not bypassed and mountain ranges: in 2009, the "vii" badge, which marks natural phenomena of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance, was awarded to the Dolomites. A year later, the Italian half of Mount San Giorgio "caught up" with its Swiss half, which was included in the World Heritage Site back in 2003, and in 2011 the active volcano Etna, located in Sicily, waited for its turn.
CONCLUSION
I must say that the story does not end there. Any country in the world every five years can submit for consideration a list of attractions located on its territory and worthy, in its opinion, for inclusion in the World Heritage List. So, over the past five years, the number of Italian attractions in the list has increased by seven positions and there is a long list of objects that Italy is going to put up for consideration by the International Committee of the Convention on Culture.