The grandeurs of Rome, Florence and Venice – there’s more to Italy. From the artists it has given the world to the country’s under-explored places, the wonders of Italy are vast and distinctive.
Celebrating Leonardo da Vinci
Photo: © Paolo Woods And Gabriele Galimberti | NatGeo
As we approach the 500th anniversary of his death (2 may 1519), Leonardo da Vinci’s genius continues to amaze. His brilliance, creativity and foresight not only in the arts, but equally expansive in science and engineering, garnered him the title of the original Renaissance man.
While many only know da Vinci for his popular paintings, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, his contributions in other disciplines are immense. From anatomical drawings and cartography to his studies on bird flight and flying machines to his engineering breakthroughs for domes and bridges, his breadth of interest and knowledge is astonishing.
Highlights from the notebooks of da Vinci can be seen here. His complete technical notebooks have been digitized and are available for viewing with Turning the Pages, or in the beautifully designed and printed book, Leonardo's Notebooks, edited by H. Anna Suh.
The Village That Must Not Be Named
© BBC Travel website
In the Province of Matera in the region of Basilicata lies the ancient, agricultural village of Colobraro. If you mention the name of "that village" as it is known, bad luck will befall you.
The origin of the superstition of the un-namable southern Italian village dates back to the 1940s. The story is said to have originated by a lawyer who, when arguing a case, exclaimed: "If what I say is false, may this chandelier come down." The chandelier did indeed come down, leaving a hex upon the town’s history.
The locals also point to other reasons that compound the unmentionable. “Colobraro” means snake – long considered an evil presence to Italians. And by the 1950s, many a sorceress who practiced spells and curses called Colobraro home.
Should you find yourself in the Basilicata region, take care to mind local lore … or else.
Places Less-Traveled
Photo: © Berthold Werner under Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0
From the wonders of the northern Italian Alps to the tasty gastronomy and baroque charms of southeastern Sicily, many lesser-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites are ripe for exploration.
Explore a Renaissance town: Urbino, located between the Apennine Mountains and Adriatic Sea, boasts a historical legacy of Renaissance culture. Because of its remarkable preservation, it was added to UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1998.
Visit a magical municipality: Alberobello, in the southeastern coastal region of Puglia, was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 for its limestone dwellings capped with conical roofs called trulli. These whitewashed structures led to the town’s nickname, La Città Bianca (the White City).
Experience the quiet splendor: Val di Noto region, composed of eight towns in the southeast corner of the island of Sicily, was given UNESCO World Heritage site status in 2002. The region is the culmination of Baroque art and innovative city-planning.
The Colors of Burano
Photo: © Saffron Blaze under Creative Commons license CC BY-SA 3.0
On one of my two trips to Venice many years ago, I discovered a most colorful village a short boat ride from the main island. A perfect day trip away from the throngs of tourists, Burano is mainly known for its intricate lace making. But the village is also one of the brightest places I’ve ever visited.
The story goes that its inhabitants chose to differentiate their homes from the neighbors with bright, colorful facades and decor. The color-coding of the houses follows a specific system. If a homeowner wants to paint their home, a request must be made to the government, which in turn will indicate which colors are permitted. Since Burano is also a fishing village, the highly visible landscape made it easier for fisherman to orient their boats.
A casual stroll around the island and a fresh, delicious fish supper made my visit memorable.
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Illustration: © 2019 Janet Giampietro.
