UNESCO sites in Rome. World Heritage in Italy. Santa Maria del Fiore
The glory of Italy as a country famous throughout the world for its cultural works, artistic and architectural masterpieces, and unique natural beauties also imposes some responsibilities: many of the material and intangible assets require constant attention and special, careful treatment - so that the heritage of the past can serve to future generations.
It is no coincidence that Italy is the country with the largest number of sites under the protection of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). In total, the UNESCO World Heritage List includes 936 sites in 153 countries, of which Italy alone accounts for 47 sites, followed by Spain (43 sites) and China (41 sites)
So, 47 additional reasons to visit Italy, by region, from north to south.
Piedmont
Palaces of the House of Savoy in Turin and surrounding areas. The site was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1997 as a striking and complete example of monumental European architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries. The complex of palaces includes Palazzo Madama, Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Carignano, Valentino, Racconigi castles, Stupinigi hunting castle, Moncalieri castle and others.
Holy Mountains in Piedmont and Lombardy are an ensemble of nine chapels, chapels and other architectural structures built in the 16th-17th centuries and surrounded by a picturesque landscape of forests, lakes and hills. The Holy Mountains were included in the World Heritage List in 2003.
Portovenere, the islands of Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto and the Cinque Terre National Park (Five Lands)- a rugged section of the Ligurian coast in the province of La Spezia, on which five towns are located: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, founded here in the Middle Ages. This natural and cultural complex was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
Via Le Strade Nuove and the Rolli Palaces (Genoa). In 2006, 42 Rolli palaces were included in the UNESCO list, which belonged to the rich and noble families of the city, which during the time of the Genoese Republic were included in special lists (rolli), thus competing for the right to host guests of Genoa.
Lombardy
Rock art in the Val Camonica valley. This is one of the world's largest collections of prehistoric petroglyphs, which are over 8 thousand years old. This site became the first to be recognized by UNESCO in Italy in 1979. More than 140 thousand rock carvings are officially listed in UNESCO catalogues, but the ongoing discoveries of new petroglyphs have now almost doubled their actual number.
Crespi d'Adda (1995) is a working village located in Capriate San Gervasio in the province of Bergamo. The factory village of Crespi was included in the UNESCO list as the best example of an industrial village that has survived to this day. Its houses were built by enlightened entrepreneurs in the 19th and early 20th centuries and remained inhabited until 2003.
Rhaetian Railway. Part of this railway, passing through the territory of Albula and Bernina, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. The railway was built in 1904 and is an outstanding technical and architectural complex, including tunnels, covered galleries, viaducts and bridges.
Mount Monte San Giorgio(jointly with Switzerland) was included in the World Heritage List in 2003 for its unique paleontological finds from the Triassic period. About 240 million years ago there was a sea here, and the fossilized remains of its inhabitants, abundantly preserved in this area, became the subject of close study by researchers.
Mantua and Sabbioneta– these two cities in the Po Valley became part of the World Heritage Site in 2009 as striking examples of urban development, architecture and art of the Renaissance in Italy
Veneto
Verona (2000) is a brilliant example of a city that, starting from the 1st century BC, developed continuously and consistently over two thousand years, adding new artistic elements to each period of history. Thus, a large number of monuments from antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance have been preserved in Verona.
Botanical Garden of Padua (1997)- the most unique botanical garden in the world, reflecting the development of science and the connection between science and culture. This is the world's first botanical garden, founded in Padua in 1545, which still retains its original layout and continues to be a center for scientific research.
Friuli – Venezia Giulia
Patriarchal Basilica and Archaeological Reserve of Aquileia (1998)- a valuable archaeological monument, since Aquileia was one of the largest and richest cities in the early period of the Roman Empire, most of it remains to be excavated. In addition, the Patriarchal Basilica complex with its unique mosaic floors played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in central medieval Europe.
Emilia-Romagna
Early Christian monuments in the city of Ravenna (1996) are of great cultural interest thanks to the unique early Christian mosaics that have been preserved in eight Ravenna monuments of the 5th-6th centuries. These are the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Baptistery of the Orthodox and Arians, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe, the Archbishop's Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Basilica of San Vitale.
Modena: Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande (1997). This 12th-century architectural complex is a striking example of early Romanesque art.
Marche
Historic center of Urbino (1998). Urbino experienced its greatest prosperity in the 15th century, when the most outstanding scientists and artists from all over Italy and beyond worked there. To this day, the historical center of Urbino retains many of the features of the Renaissance.
Tuscany
Historic Center of Florence (1982) contains the most important cultural treasures of Florence, which reached its economic and cultural heyday in the 15th-16th centuries. This is Duomo Square with the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Church of Santa Croce, the Uffizi and Pitti palaces, works by such masters as Giotto, Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Botticelli.
Historic Center of Siena (1985) is a striking example of a medieval city that has preserved its appearance for centuries, which was formed in the 12th-15th centuries and then influenced all European art. Piazza del Campo, the city hall, the Torre del Mangia became the center around which Siena developed, all of which are works of art, and the Siena Cathedral (Duomo) is an example of Italian Gothic architecture.
Historical center of Pienza (1996)- this town in the province of Siena was decided to be included in the UNESCO list as representing the first embodiment of the concept of urban planning of the Renaissance, when in the 15th century Pope Pius II decided to rebuild a small village (the place of his birth) into an ideal city in the Renaissance style. The new urban planning scheme - a group of buildings around a city square - was subsequently adopted by other European architects.
Val d'Orcia (2004)is an agricultural landscape near Siena, which was inhabited and formed in the 14th-15th centuries. The landscapes of the valley are depicted in many works by Renaissance artists, who were inspired by the beauty of the landscape - flat plains and hills with fortified settlements on the tops, farms, monasteries, roads.
Umbria
Assisi: Basilica of St. Francis and Other Franciscan Shrines (2000). Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis and the birthplace of the entire Franciscan order, is famous for such masterpieces of medieval art, like the Basilica of San Francisco with frescoes by Giotto, the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, the Church of Santa Chiara who influenced the development of Italian and European art and architecture.
Lazio
The historical center of Rome and the Vatican domain, including the church of San Paolo fuori le Mura. Inscribed on the UNESCO list in 1980 and then expanded in 1990, this World Heritage Site includes important monuments from the ancient period such as the forums, the Pantheon, the mausoleums of Augustus and Hadrian, the columns of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius, and many religious and public buildings of the papal Rome.
Villa Adriana at 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 2nd century under Emperor Hadrian.
Villa d'Este at Tivoli (2001)- one of the most striking and significant examples of Renaissance culture in 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.
Etruscan necropolises in Cerveteri and Tarquinia (2004) are unique evidence of the ancient Etruscan civilization and reflect burial methods in the 9th-1st centuries BC. The wall paintings of excellent quality that decorate many of the tombs tell of various aspects of Etruscan life.
Campaign
Historical center of Naples, which preserves traces of successive Mediterranean cultures 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 Castel Nuovo castle, Castel dell'Ovo fortress, Santa Chiara church and many others.
Amalfi Coast (1997)- an example of a Mediterranean landscape of exceptional beauty and natural diversity. Coastal cities such as Amalfi and Ravello contain many architectural and artistic treasures.
Archaeological zones - Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (1997). The ruins of the two ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and their surroundings, which perished after the eruption of Vesuvius in 79, were excavated and put on display in the 18th century, giving a comprehensive picture of the society and daily life of the period.
Royal Palace of Caserta with park, Vanvitelli aqueduct and factory village of San Leucio (1997)– this palace complex was created in the 18th century according to the design of Vanvitelli in an attempt to surpass Versailles and the royal palace in Madrid. A magnificent palace surrounded by parks and natural landscape, a silk-spinning factory with houses for workers well reflect the Age of Enlightenment
Cultural landscape of the Cilento area, Vallo di Diano National Park, archaeological sites of Paestum and Elea, Certosa di Padula monastery (1998). Since ancient times, the Cilento region has served as a crossroads important for cultural, political, and trade communications, as reflected in the clusters of settlements and sanctuaries located along three mountain ranges.
Apulia
Castle of Castel del Monte (1996), Built by Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century near Bari, it is a structure of an absolutely regular octagonal shape - a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, combining eastern, classical and northern European elements.
Trulli– traditional residential buildings in the city of Alberobello (1996). These are unique houses with a conical roof, built using ancient dry masonry technology, which is still used in this region.
Basilicata
"I Sassi di Matera"- rock settlements near the city of Matera (1993) - 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 during the Paleolithic period.
Ancient Roman Villa Del Casale (1997) is located near the city of Piazza Armerina and is one of the most luxurious buildings of the 4th century. The rich, well-preserved mosaics that decorate almost every room are the main attraction of the villa.
Aeolian (Aeolian) Islands (2000) provide insight into modern volcanic processes, having been the object of observation by scientists since at least the 18th century and significantly enriching geology and volcanology, in particular with examples of two different types of eruption.
Late Baroque Cities in the Noto Valley (2002). Eight cities in the south-east 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, at times, development methods.
Ancient Syracuse and the rock necropolis of Pantalica (2005). The historical part of Syracuse represents a unique evidence of the development of the Mediterranean over more than three millennia - from Byzantium to the Bourbons. In the Pantalika necropolis you can see more than 5,000 rock tombs, most of which date back to the 13th-7th centuries. BC
Sardinia
Prehistoric towers of Su-Nuraxi at Barumini (1997)- an archaeological complex consisting of nurag 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.
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 surviving remains of prehistoric pile settlements that were built in the Alps from approximately 5000 to 500 BC. e. on the banks of lakes, rivers or in marshy areas.
In addition to the above sites, there are two more sites on the Apennine Peninsula that are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - This is the Vatican State (1984) And State of San Marino (historic center of San Marino and Monte Titano, 2008).
Intangible UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
Sicilian puppet theater "Opera dei Pupi" (2001, 2008)- a puppet theater that appeared in Sicily at the beginning of the 19th century. In their performances, puppeteers, improvising, told sagas and legends about knights, saints and robbers. The two schools of Sicilian puppet theater (Catania and Palermo) differ from each other both in the technique of puppet movements and in the plots of the performances. The secrets of this art were passed strictly from father to son.
Mediterranean diet (2010, jointly with Spain, Greece and Morocco)- a nutritional pattern characteristic of the countries of the Mediterranean basin, interest in which has increased in recent years far beyond Europe.
Italy– one of the few countries with a huge cultural heritage. A rich history has influenced the development of art. The very word “Italy” apparently has a special magic and has fascinated us since childhood, even from school. And as soon as we learn about the existence of Italy, the history and culture of which are closely intertwined with the heritage of the whole world, then there is a desire to see this beautiful, amazing and unique country in its charm, which has managed to inspire the creativity of countless generations humanity.
No information has been preserved about the first migration of people to Italy. However, it is reliably known that its territory was inhabited during the Paleolithic era. The most ancient tribes that inhabited Italy were the Ligurians, Etruscans, Veneti and Iapyges. In particular, the regions of Liguria and Veneto received their name from these tribes. Later, Italy was settled in the Po Valley by the Celts (Gauls). Gradually, the Italic tribes, who came to the peninsula from the north, spread over most of the peninsula. Among them, the Latins had the highest level of development.
In the early days of Rome, it was ruled by kings. But in 509 BC. the last king, Tarquin the Proud, was expelled and a republic was founded. Power was entrusted to the consuls (consul in Latin - comrade), elected in pairs for a term of one year. By the middle of the 3rd century BC. Rome subjugated the entire territory of Italy and became a large state that sought hegemony in the Mediterranean, which led to a clash with another maritime power - Carthage. After three Punic Wars (including the famous Hannibal) in 146 BC. Rome achieved a final victory, and Carthage was razed to the ground. However, the period of the 2nd-1st centuries BC. was marked by other social upheavals and civil wars. So, in 45 BC. In the fight against Pompey, Gaius Julius Caesar won, but a year later he was killed by conspirators led by Brutus and Cassius. The new period of civil wars was completed by the victory of Caesar's adopted son, Octavian, in 27 BC. received the title of Augustus (“Sacred”) from the Senate. From that moment on, Rome became an empire.
In 395 AD. Emperor Theodore divided Rome into Western and Eastern empires. In 476 AD. The last emperor of the Western Roman Empire, the young Romulus Augustus, was deposed by the leader of the German mercenaries, Odoacer. The first barbarian kingdom arose in Italy. The Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) lasted for about a thousand years.
Subsequently, for almost 400 years, Italy was subject to numerous invasions of the barbarians, Byzantium, Lombards and Franks. In 756, the Papal States were formed, marking the final division of the secular and ecclesiastical branches of government. In 774, the Lombard state was conquered by Charlemagne, and a little later - in 781 - the Italian kingdom was formed, which in 962 was included by the German king Otto I in the Holy Roman Empire.
During the Middle Ages, Italy was the subject of and influenced by numerous conflicts between European dynasties and the popes. Italy remained fragmented. After the Italian Wars of 1494 - 1559, the dominance of Spain was consolidated in a significant part of it, and after the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714) - the dominance of Austria. The country was in a state of deep political and economic crisis. The cessation of hostilities in the second half of the 18th century led to some revival and the emergence of a movement for liberation, national independence and the unification of Italy, the so-called “Risorgimento”. At the same time, hopes were placed on the help of revolutionary France. After Napoleon's Italian campaign in 1796-1797, republics were formed in Italy, which after 1804 were turned into kingdoms. At this time, political and economic reforms were carried out in the country. In the War of 1812, Italy took the side of France, sending 27 thousand soldiers to Russia, of which only 333 returned to their homeland. Between 1821 and 1848, several unsuccessful attempts to rebel against the Austrians were made in Italy. However, already in 1859, with the support of Napoleon III, the Italian commander Cavour defeated the Austrians in the region of Lombardy, as a result of which it transferred to the Kingdom of Savoy, which already included such areas as Piedmont, Liguria and Sardinia. The following year, the campaign of the famous Garibaldi Thousand led to the liberation of all of Southern Italy. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was crowned King of Italy. Due to the annexation of the Veneto region in 1866 and the capture of Rome in 1870, which again became the capital of the Italian state, all of Italy was united.
In the years 1900-1914, the development of Italy proceeded at an accelerated pace, and large industry arose. In 1912, as a result of the war, Italy captured Libya. Social tension in Italy was high. Italy was not ready to participate in World War I and declared its neutrality, but under pressure from the Entente, in 1915 it declared war on Austria-Hungary, and in 1916 on Germany.
In 1919, during the economic crisis, a fascist movement took shape, led by Mussolini. In 1922 he became prime minister. In 1936, Mussolini announced the transformation of Italy into an empire. Italy entered World War II on May 10, 1940. On September 8, 1943, most of Italy was occupied by German troops. In June 1944, Anglo-American troops entered Rome, and in April 1945, Northern Italy was liberated during the uprising. By 1948, using funds received from the Marshall Plan, Italy had reached pre-war levels of development. Italy joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC in 1957.
Many great masters worked in Italy: artists, sculptors, scientists, poets and writers, composers and architects and many others. Among them are our compatriots. Many great Russian people lived and worked in Italy.
At the end of the 17th century, Russian craftsmen increasingly came to Italy to study shipping and ship construction. For example, in 1696, Peter sent “50 sleeping bags and stolniks” for this purpose, and in May of the following year several dozen noblemen arrived in Italy to study “various sciences.” Since the 19th century, representatives of the Russian aristocracy could be found everywhere in Italy.
Russian seasons in San Remo were opened by Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of Alexander II. She spent the winter of 1874-1875 here and, as a token of gratitude, donated palm trees to the city for a new boulevard. This boulevard was named in honor of the Russian Empress. City officials called it “Empress Boulevard.” At the same time, the famous Russian writer A.K. spent his last winter in his life at the empress’s court. Tolstoy.
Following the empress, the Russian nobility, including members of the Romanov dynasty, began to gather for the winter seasons. So, in 1895, another Grand Duke Alexei Mikhailovich was unsuccessfully treated here and died of tuberculosis.
Many aristocrats had winter cottages here. Some tuberculosis patients chose San Remo as their permanent place of residence. A Russian bathhouse, a pharmacy, and a bakery began to appear in the city. And in 1913, thanks to the help of Emperor Nicholas II, a Russian church was built.
But not only the resort of San Remo is associated with the Russians. An entire era of Tuscan cities is associated with the name of the descendants of the Ural mining owners the Demidovs. The name “Demidoff” has been preserved in many places in Florence and Tuscany - in the names of hotels, bars, garages, streets. Prince Pavel Demidov bought in Pratolino, near Florence, the estate of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Ferdinand III, preserved and restored Renaissance buildings from the time of Maria de Medici. At the same time, the estate became noticeably Russified.
In the center of the park, the prince erected a beautiful monument to his father, philanthropist Nikolai Demidov. Numerous works by Russian masters appeared in the interiors. Today there is a street here, which is called “Via della Villa Demidoff”.
Prince Pavel, who died in 1885, was buried here, in the estate church. Later, his ashes were transported to Russia, but his daughter, Princess Maria, lay down near the walls of the church in 1955. The generous princess supported many organizations: “Russian Assembly”, “Russian Red Cross”, “Russian Colony in Tuscany”.
In the 20s of the last century, the Russian colony in Italy, initially one of the most prosperous, began to quickly lose its importance. Its composition has changed greatly - instead of aristocrats and wealthy holidaymakers, unsettled emigrants who fled Russia after the October Revolution began to come here. With the emergence in Russia in the second half of the 17th century of a new culture, which flourished in the 18th century - the era of Peter I and Catherine II, Russian-Italian relations acquired a broader character.
The construction of St. Petersburg and the royal palaces near it is carried out with the participation of several generations of Italian architects, among whom were such masters as Rastrelli, Rossi, Trezzini. Russia is no longer mastering only Italian literature and architecture, but also painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and music. Peter I very often acquired works of Italian artists and sculptors, both modern and masters of the past. These purchases were carried out through the mediation of the Russian agent in Venice, Pavel Beklemishev, and Yu. Kologrivov and S. Raguzinsky, who were specially sent to Italy to purchase valuables. It was they, along with other works of art, who bought the famous statue of Venus in Rome. Already under Peter I, young artists, sculptors and architects began to be sent to Italy for training and improvement - so, in 1716, I.N. was sent to Italy to complete his professional education. Nikitin, a future major portrait painter.
In the second half of the 18th century, after the creation of the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, its best graduates were sent abroad as Academy pensioners for several years, usually to France, but most often to Italy.
In his youth, the great Russian architect V.I. visited Italy. Bazhenov. At the age of 28, he returned from there with the title of professor of the Roman Academy and academician of the Florence and Bologna academies. Having received the right to travel abroad, F.I. lived in Paris and Rome for several years. Shubin, one of the largest sculptors of the 18th century.
Russian culture of the 19th - early 20th centuries as a whole, and Russian literature and poetry, was characterized by a spiritual attraction to Italy. Great Russian writers, poets, and artists lived here for a long time, creating their best works.
O.A. Kiprensky, a major portrait painter of the first third of the 19th century, studied classical art in Italy for seven years in his youth and spent the last few years of his life in Italy. For many years the wonderful landscape painter S.F. lived in Naples and Rome. Shchedrin. K.P. spent many years in Italy. Bryullov, creator of the major historical painting “The Last Day of Pompeii”. The life and work of A.A. were closely connected with Italy. Ivanov, whose painting “The Appearance of Christ to the People” was an important stage in the development of Russian painting. Italy has always attracted artists. Artists of different generations come here to study Italian culture and work. V. Polenov, V. Serov, K. Korovin were here. Almost simultaneously, three great Russian artists met Italy - V. Vasnetsov, V. Surikov and M. Vrubel.
N.V. Gogol wrote his famous “Dead Souls” in Rome, F.M. Dostoevsky in Florence - “The Idiot”, I.S. Turgenev began writing “The Noble Nest” in Italy. Having completed his diplomatic career, he comes to Italy and F.I. Tyutchev. In the spring of 1912, Russian poets N.S. Gumilev and A.A. Akhmatova make a “dizzying” trip to Italy, under the impression of which Gumilyov creates a cycle of “Italian” poems.
A.A. Blok has lived for several years in the small town of Settignano, not far from Florence. He dedicates a large cycle of lyrical poems to this country.
M. Gorky spent a large period of his life in Italy. His name is associated with the island of Capri. Here, on an island consisting of rocks, blue-blue sea, burning sun and palm trees, Gorky organizes a party school.
Italy has provided refuge to many cultural figures forced to leave their homeland. Here director Andrei Tarkovsky filmed the film “Nostalgia”. Here the disgraced poet I. Brodsky wrote “Roman Sonnets” and “Venetian Stanzas”.
What attracted all these great people to Italy? The answer to this question is given by the country itself: if you have visited Italy at least once, you will certainly visit it again. One of the reasons for Italy’s popularity among tourists is its rich history, consisting of many stages, riddled with intrigue, behind-the-scenes stories and betrayals, rich in architectural buildings, works of art and literature, distinguished by their development in all spheres of society. Of course, the history of Italy influenced the development of culture and art in this country. It's hard to believe, but more than 50% of the world's cultural heritage is concentrated in Italy. Before visiting the country, only a few people believe this, but if you have the patience to travel around all the cultural centers of the country, you will be convinced of this. Rome with ancient monuments, Florence with the Uffizi Gallery, Pisa with the Square of Miracles, Milan with a magnificent cathedral - this is just the beginning of that huge list, but we must not forget about other cities, less significant, but also having their own architectural monuments.
Italian art occupies one of the leading places in world culture. Having emerged more than two and a half thousand years ago, it went through the path of borrowing and mastering the cultures of neighboring states, reached exceptional heights in its development, died and was reborn, reaching even more unprecedented heights, and had the most significant influence on world art among all countries in the world.
The art of Italy is divided into several sections. It is not possible to cover each of them very deeply, so books have been written about each of them. We will try to briefly characterize them and connect these characteristics with the contribution of each individual section and all of them together to the development of tourism in Italy.
Etruscan art
Starting from the 2nd millennium BC, Italy became a meeting place of peoples. Etruscan, Greek and Latin civilizations flourished together on its territory.
In the middle of the 1st millennium BC. In the territory of Central Italy, the powerful and sophisticated art of the Etruscans reached its peak. Being a primitive art, it acquired its individuality under the influence of the East - primarily Greece - and in the 18th century, when it was discovered, it was considered Greek. The Etruscans were talented artists and excellent craftsmen: they decorated temples with decorative sculpture, painted burial chambers and ceramics, made gold jewelry, and excellently copied Greek products.
Art of Ancient Rome
Ancient Roman art was formed in the 3rd – 4th centuries. The greatest influence on him was the Etruscan culture. This influence is found in surviving paintings and objects of applied art. During this period, the musical culture of Ancient Rome was born: wedding and triumphal songs stood out from the ritual rites. In the 3rd century BC, a folk improvisational comedy - atellana - appeared, which laid the foundation for the theatrical art of Rome.
In the 3rd-2nd centuries BC, monuments of Greek philosophy penetrated through southern Italy to Rome. Thanks to Greek influence, literature developed in Rome. Along with Roman literature, theater also developed. With the development of theatrical performances, music gradually began to develop. Music was an important part of Roman life.
At the same time, intensive urban development was carried out. This period is characterized by the construction of the city between two highways. Houses appeared with an atrium, a typical courtyard characteristic only of Ancient Rome. In parallel with urbanization, the construction of country estates and villas is underway. During these times, the main types of Roman buildings emerged: basilicas, baths, spectacular buildings, arched buildings.
Fine art is dominated by portrait statues and busts. In the 1st century BC, copying of Greek statues became widespread, and the art of mosaics and glyptics developed.
During the heyday of the Roman Empire, the architecture of Rome also experienced a new boom. Massive buildings acquire monumental plasticity, the role of the arch and its derivatives, the vault and the dome, becomes dominant. The main type of official architecture is the triumphal arch. During the same period, the most famous and ancient buildings of Rome were erected - the Colosseum and the Pantheon.
During the period of decline of the empire, the scale of buildings and the luxury of decoration increased, but construction centers moved to the provinces. An example of this is the complex in Baalbek.
Romanesque art (High Middle Ages)
The barbarians who settled in Italy after the fall of the Roman Empire inherited language, writing and law from the Romans. Their leaders settled in the villas of the Roman nobility and found themselves in its cultural and everyday environment. In the 5th – 6th centuries, the polychrome style of polishing items made of precious stones became widespread. Christian themes are developed in the mosaic, and the church exerts its influence here. Medieval literature was also closely connected with religion. These were Christian hymns, legends, chronicles in Latin.
Cities destroyed by barbarians were quickly reborn. In the medieval Italian city, two centers are formed: the market square with the cathedral and the square in front of the palace of the city government. The style of the buildings themselves also changed. Lombardy and Tuscany became centers of new styles.
Gothic and proto-Renaissance
From the middle of the 13th century, Italy began to outstrip the rest of Europe in cultural development. At the end of the century, philosophical poetry appeared, the genre of which was created by the young Dante Alighieri, who became the creator of the Italian literary language.
In painting, Pietro Cavallini for the first time departed from the Byzantine canons and, based on late antique painting, used light and shadow modeling of form. The main reformer of medieval art was Giotto di Bondone, who broke with Byzantine canons and laid the foundations of Renaissance painting.
17th century, baroque
Since 1590, Rome has become a European artistic center. At the turn of the 16th – 17th centuries, Baroque principles emerged in church architecture. Unlike the masters of the Renaissance, the masters of the Baroque did not look for clear logic in their buildings, but for bright expressiveness. Examples of Baroque architecture are the churches of Il Gesa and Santa Susanna. Country residences of the nobility - villas - also belong to Baroque architecture.
In Baroque sculpture, expression dominates. According to the masters of the Baroque, frozen movement should exhaustively express both the situation itself and the psychological state of the hero. The great Italian Lorenzo Bernini excelled in Baroque sculpture. The Baroque style also gave rise to architectural works such as fountains. The best of them belong to Bernini.
In the painting of Italy of the 16th and 17th centuries, there are two directions, academicism, and the opposing movement, led by Caravaggio. New genres of painting appeared: still life, landscape, religious and everyday paintings. The centers of Baroque painting were the cities of Rome, Bologna, and Naples.
At the same time, new types of vocal and instrumental music emerged - opera, oratorio, canzone.
Renaissance (Renaissance)
This period was very important for the development of European culture. The birthplace of the Renaissance is Italy. The first Renaissance ideas arose here and here they were first put into practice.
In Italy, the Renaissance lasted longer than in other countries, more than three centuries. At this time, many great events took place: Great geographical discoveries, the beginning of book printing, the formation of natural science as a science.
The development of philosophy also had its influence. Nicolo Machiavelli formulated the main motivating motive of man, and the great Leonardo da Vinci made a number of very important discoveries, which later became prototypes of objects needed by man. Science has advanced greatly. Galileo Galilei and Giordano Bruno are just the main scientists of this time.
Art during the Renaissance in Italy occupied an important place in public life. Artistic creativity was a necessary need of the Renaissance man. At the same time, only a few cities were centers of Renaissance culture, the main of which was Florence, the capital of Tuscany. The Renaissance is usually divided into three stages.
In less than three hundred years, Italian masters have created a huge number of highly artistic works in a wide variety of fields of creativity. There was not a single area of artistic life that did not experience a rise in those centuries. The unprecedented flowering of literature and fine arts in Renaissance Italy puts forward Italian culture as a third classical culture for other countries, along with Greek and Roman.
In every era of development of Italian culture, changes have occurred for the better. And now the cultural heritage preserved in the country seems to be the richest in the world. And, of course, knowing this, many people choose Italy precisely because of this.
Due to the fact that more than half of the world's cultural heritage is located on the territory of Italy, a huge number of monuments have been preserved in excellent condition, the historical centers of many cities have completely preserved their medieval appearance, it is the cultural factor that is of paramount importance for the development of tourism in Italy. Italy is one of the most attractive countries for tourism.
Italians attach great importance to the protection and restoration of monuments of architecture, art, and painting. Every Italian, from childhood, is taught to love, honor and respect their ancestors and their culture. Many people strive to get to Italy to see with their own eyes everything that they heard about in school lessons on history, literature, physics and MHC. Seeing all this with your own eyes is the ultimate dream of everyone. It takes years to see all the monuments in Italy. Of course, even with several tourist trips it is impossible to see everything. And this is fair, since in Italy there is an inexhaustible supply of “cultural fossils”, representing different eras, different masters, different styles.
Of course, the cultural factor plays a major role in the development and establishment of Italy as a tourist power.
Many historical, cultural, architectural and religious monuments are located in this country. Italian culture has enriched our world due to its amazing originality and uniqueness. Thus, in the famous city of Venice in the north of the country there are no separate architectural attractions; it itself is a unique monument to urban planning. Situated on one hundred and eighteen islands, one of the most beautiful cities in the world has a long history. It has existed since the 5th century. The Venetians sought salvation from the barbarians and ours on the islands. This was followed by centuries of development and formation of Venice. Today it is a cultural center and attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year.
The UNESCO list in Italy also includes the historical center of Rome and the famous Vatican. This separate state inside the Italian capital is not only the center of the Catholic world, but also a place where amazing historical and architectural monuments are concentrated. These are beautiful gardens and cathedrals. Among them, it is worth noting St. Peter's Cathedral, in the creation of which Michelangelo, Raphael and other masters of Italian painting took part. As for the Italian capital, Rome, of course, is famous for its ancient architectural monuments. This includes the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and other objects.
The monastery of Santa Maria della Grazie in Milan is one of the architectural monuments protected by UNESCO in Italy. Outwardly, this is an unremarkable monastery, but if you look inside, you can find a fresco of the “Last Supper” by the great Leonardo da Vinci. It was commissioned from the painter by Duke Lodovico Sforza. It took several years to create the canvas. Due to the technique used for applying paint to a dry wall, the fresco began to crumble during Leonardo’s lifetime. This was followed by wars and bombings during the last world conflict, which did not have the best effect on the safety of the masterpiece. But in the end it was possible to restore it. Today both the 15th-century church and the fresco are included in the World Heritage Site.
What did wonderful Italy give the world? It is the birthplace of a huge number of famous scientists and brilliant artists, it has the most objects in the world that are under UNESCO protection, and the nature of Italy itself is incredibly diverse and beautiful! Rome is filled with historical monuments, Venice exudes romance, the glorious history of Florence, which competed with Milan located to the north - attractions are everywhere in this country.
1. Valley of the Temples of Sicily
In sunny Sicily you can see one of its most beautiful attractions - the Valley of the Temples, located in Agrigento - this is the name of a large area of archaeological excavations. There are many remains 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. Some of the most beautiful places in Italy are included in the UNESCO list - the picturesque terraces of the Cinque Terre. This reserve is called so because it consists of five small towns with simple provincial life, without the eye-catching architecture of modern buildings, and the air here is so clean that it is literally intoxicating. Diluted with vineyards and olive groves, the colorful houses of the Cinque Terre run down to the sea along rocky terraces.
3. Uffizi Gallery
The famous Florentine Uffizi Gallery is crowded with masterpieces of world painting. Listing the names of the authors of the paintings here can make your head spin: da Vinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens, Durer, as well as many other painters and sculptors of world fame. You shouldn’t even try to explore the numerous halls of the gallery in one day; it’s better to live in Florence for a while and savor the masterpieces in a leisurely atmosphere.
Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit Italy can rightfully call this country great, beautiful, unforgettable and different. Probably not in...
4. Colosseum
The Colosseum, located in the center of the Eternal City, is famous throughout the world. Its huge amphitheater has been attracting curious audiences to its terraces for about two thousand years. And always the main “dish” here was some special spectacle: gladiator fights, animal battles, or the persecution of the first Christians by them. In Latin, Colosseum means "large". And this is not an exaggeration, because at one time it could accommodate 50,000 spectators, which is still impressive today.
5. 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 in which ancient artifacts are hidden.
6. Pompeii
By 79, the coast of the Gulf of Naples was quite densely populated, and its inhabitants blithely admired the smoking peak of Vesuvius. But one day, not the most beautiful, came when the mountain exploded, a column of ash rose many kilometers into the sky, and deadly pyroclastic flows rushed down, which killed most of the inhabitants, and the ashes fell asleep and thereby mothballed the city for many centuries.
7. Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast can be called a paradise, from which you simply don’t want to leave. Here the Lattari mountain range approaches 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, its own culture and folklore. To better understand the original Italy, you definitely need to come here.
8. Siena's historic center
Although Siena is inferior to its eternal historical rival Florence in terms of cultural heritage, it also has its own charm. The ancient city center is especially interesting for tourists, where there is a lot to see.
9. Vatican
In the center of Rome there is a unique mini-state of the Vatican, which is a complete attraction. It occupies a fairly large block, surrounded by a high wall and with an entrance from St. Peter's Square and the basilica of the same name. But the Vatican has not only enormous 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 purify their spirit. And inside the Vatican there are countless masterpieces, including the famous Sistine Chapel.
10. St. Mark's Basilica
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, its majestic outline dominates the adjacent 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. Grandiose excavations are still underway on it. If anyone is planning to visit the capital of Italy, then they should definitely visit the heart of the ancient Roman Empire.
12. Blue Grotto on Capri
The island of Capri, located opposite Naples, is remarkable in many ways. One of its amazing natural attractions is the Blue Grotto. When the rays of the sun begin to make their way through the thickness of the sea water into the cave, it is illuminated in neon blue. Observing this phenomenon certainly delights travelers.
13. Venice Grand Canal
While in Venice, you can take a water bus to travel along the Grand Canal. Thanks to this comfortable excursion, the traveler will plunge into the ancient history of the city. 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 architectural masterpieces are located here and there along its banks.
The Eternal City can be imagined as one big attraction. People all over the world are well aware of the most iconic Roman buildings, magnificent pla...
14. Leaning Tower of Pisa
The Leaning Tower of Pisa has been familiar to everyone since school; it is the most recognizable landmark of this city. The architects clearly miscalculated the location of the tower and, of course, did not intend to make it so inclined. When construction reached only the third tier, the foundation of the tower could not stand it, sank, and the tilt of the structure became obvious. Over the centuries it has only increased. For several decades now, various projects have been proposed to save the landmark, aimed at strengthening the foundation and stopping the process of the building falling.
15. Santa Maria del Fiore
Located in Florence, the famous Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands out with its dome and expressive colors. The building dominates the historical center of the city. Several outstanding architects worked on its creation and managed to create an incredibly beautiful architectural masterpiece.
16. Roman Trevi Fountain
Among the labyrinth of ancient streets of Rome hides one of the pearls of the Eternal City - the Trevi Fountain, an outstanding example of elegant baroque architecture. This is one of the most beautiful and world famous fountains. It is very popular among tourists who throw kilograms of coins into its bowl every day.
17. Assisi
In Italian Umbria there is the ancient town of Assisi, where St. Francis founded his order and the first monastery. Nowadays, up to 5 million tourists come here annually, which is many times more than the local population. They come to see the monastery complex, which includes the Church of San Francesco, built in the 13th century, 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. Here is also the equally ancient church of Santa Chiara, near which is the tomb of St. Clare of Assisi, as well as the even more ancient cathedral (12th century) of San Rufino in the Romanesque style.
Florence is the administrative center of the province of Tuscany and the center of architecture and art of the Renaissance, during which the city was an important...
18. Vesuvius
This, although inactive, but still active volcano in 79 destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum located at its foot. It last erupted in 1944. At the moment its height is 1281 meters. Extreme tourists even try to penetrate its crater. But to feel that the volcano is alive and just sleeping, you only need to rise above a thousand meters to feel the smell of 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 here. For true connoisseurs of natural beauty, this is the best place to relax.
20. Caves of the Frasassi Gorge
If you have a bad day while on holiday in Italy, you can make the most of it by heading to the Frasassi Gorge, where you can take 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 its course there are stairs and convenient passages.
21. Roman Pantheon
The magnificent building of the ancient Roman pantheon became not only an example of high ancient architecture, but also a revolutionary breakthrough in construction technology. It became the touchstone for a string of later buildings in imitation of it. The building, despite its enormous age, is perfectly preserved, so tourists have the opportunity to visit it. It's especially spectacular inside at midday, when a column of sunlight falls almost vertically through the round hole in the center of the giant dome.
22. Villa Adriana in Tivoli
This is the name of a whole complex of imperial apartments located near Rome. We have reached us with a large atrium, a huge vestibule, rooms for slaves, baths, the Canopic Museum, the Temple of Apollo, a Greek theater, and a library with the works of the Greeks and Romans. There was a fish pool in the courtyard, surrounded by a garden.
Almost every Italian city has ancient palaces or temples, and in the narrow streets of the old quarters, paved with cobblestones, time seems completely...
23. San Gimignano
In Tuscany, not far from Florence, there is the town of San Gimignano, which was able to preserve its medieval appearance. Here 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 was the cathedral, which bears the features of the flaming Gothic style. This is the fifth largest Christian temple on the planet, and it looks extremely impressive. It is decorated with about 3 thousand magnificent statues, luxurious interiors, and from the observation deck at the top of the cathedral you can see the whole of Milan.
25. Trulli city Alberobello
Small white “gnome” houses with a conical roof are very reminiscent of fairy tales. Similar houses can be seen on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in the town of Alborobello. It can easily compete with other famous Italian attractions, because it can surprise. There are no such buildings 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. This saved... from paying taxes.