La Spezia...Here I am...
La Spezia.. A bit Intro..
Although best known as a naval base La Spezia is a surprisingly elegant city best seen on foot. Exotic palm-studded gardens line the sea front before giving way to the magnificent nineteenth-century gardens and the airy shaded arcades of the Via Chiodo. The classical architecture, wide avenues and arcades in turn give way to the old town centre. Today the centre of the town is a pedestrian area. The bustling Via del Prone is lined with small shops and stalls whilst the elegance of the Piazza Sant' Agostino speaks of an earlier time.
The site was inhabited in Roman times, but little is known of its history before 1276, when it was sold to Genoa by the Fieschi family. It became a maritime prefecture in the French Empire and then part of the Duchy of Genoa in the Kingdom of Sardinia. After the transfer of the military fleet from Genoa in 1857, it became a naval headquarters, and in 1923 it became the provincial capital. It was severely damaged by bombing in World War II. Notable landmarks include the medieval Castel S. Giorgio, the 15th-century cathedral (rebuilt since 1945), and the naval arsenal (1861–69, rebuilt since 1945), with the adjacent naval museum. The archaeological museum has a collection of menhirs (prehistoric monoliths) cut in the form of human figures and of Roman artifacts from the nearby ancient city of Luni.
For all its history and elegance La Spezia is also a modern city. As well as museums and libraries housing works of art from 4,000 BC to the present day, there are contemporary buildings including the new Kennedy shopping centre on the edge of town.
This same mix of ancient and modern can be seen in the secular and religious festivals held every year from the Festival of San Giuseppe, Patron Saint of the city, to the Festival Internationale del Jazz.
La Spezia is also very convenient for access to The Cinque Terre either by boat or train.
Events:
San Giuseppe, Patron Saint of the city (19th March)
Palio del Golfo - boat race (1st Sunday in August)
San Venerio, Patron Saint of the Gulf (13th September)
Festival Internationale del Jazz
Biennale Golfo dei Poeti, International art exhibition
New Year's Eve celebrations in the city
(More pics will be uploaded)
Welcome to Seina, Italy
Siena is one of the most appealing towns in Tuscany, one of Italy's most appealing regions. The well-conserved medieval streets and piazzas are home to the annual festival of the Palio, a neck-or-nothing horserace which takes place in Siena's main square, the Campo. The town can be reached as a daytrip from Florence or Rome, but it's also a good place to stay for several days, soak up the atmosphere, and visit the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The town is still sometimes known by its alternative English spelling of Sienna.
Historical Siena is arranged around three radiating ridges of high ground, with green valleys enclosed within the old city walls. The town is divided into terzi, or thirds, and within each of these there are a number of the districts known as contrade (more about the contrade below). It's easy to walk around the historic centre of Siena on foot, exploring as you go, but if you're the organised type you may find it helpful to take the terzi one at a time.The Tourist Information Offices and museums supply leaflet guides to each one. The Terzo di Camollia, for example, contains the gigantic and shadowy Basilica di San Francesco, dating from the late 13th century; the rival Dominican church, the Basilica of San Domenico; the Sanctuary of St Catherine of Siena; the former Medici Fortress, which is now a pleasant and panoramic public park.
Early in its history, Siena was a Roman colony, and the later town retained pride in its past, with many statues and reminders of Romulus, Remus and the legendary she-wolf. In subsequent centuries, Siena became a prosperous and important medieval town, a rival to nearby Florence (which it famously defeated in battle in 1270). But the Black Death in 1348, and a decline in the town's banking business changed Siena's fortunes. A large proportion of the population died, and Siena's star fell. Major building work on the vast cathedral extension was stopped, never to be restarted. Medieval Siena is so well-preserved because after the middle ages there was little development or industrialisation.
Perhaps because of its cultural and ecomonic stagnancy, perhaps because of a consequent need to maintain its own internal traditions, Siena has kept alive unusual and renowned traditions. In what is though to date back to a historic tribal system, the town is divided into 17 contrade, or districts. Each contrada has its own animal emblem (a caterpillar, a giraffe, a goose etc.) and its own strong identity. The rivalry between contrade is expressed twice every year in Siena's biggest tourist attraction, the Palio. Horses representing the contrade (and blessed in their local churches) are raced perilously around the perimeter of Piazza del Campo; the whole event surrounded by an orgy of historical pageantry, flagwaving and cheering. The Palio takes place on 2nd July and 16th August; if you're planning to visit then, it's best to book your hotel well in advance.
The view from the tower
The first stop for tourists in Siena is Piazza del Campo (otherwise known simply as il Campo). This is the secular heart of Siena, a sloping amphitheatre of a square, lined with cafe tables and thronged with tourists, school parties and locals. The Campo is the dramatic setting for the Palio horserace. The piazza's focal point is the Palazzo Pubblico, the public palace, which dates back to 1250 and is still the seat of the Municipality.
The Palazzo is also home to some fine frescoes, and makes a good beginning to your sightseeing tour. At the ticket office in the internal courtyard you can buy a range of tickets. These give access to differing numbers of Siena's attractions, and some are valid for several days - a good way to save money, if you're planning a longer stay. A combined ticket for €9.50 gives you access to the Museo Civico inside the Palazzo, and also to the tall belltower, the Torre del Mangia. The tower is an excellent way to view Siena, the views over the town and countryside are breathtaking and help the visitor understand the geography of the town. Be warned though, that the climb is also breathtaking. A limited number of people are allowed up at a time, and you'll understand why when you see how narrow and poky the stairs are. The final climb up to the highest bell on its lofty framework is a nervewracking ladder - don't even think of making the climb if you have a poor head for heights or are very unfit.
The Geography of Italy - Map and Resources
Italy, Land Area: 116,305 sq mi (301,230 sq km), including the islands Sardinia and Sicily, just slightly larger than the U.S. state of Arizona.
Italy, Population: Just over 58 million people.
Italy Capital: Rome, population around 2.5 million within city limits--Italy's largest city.
Mountain Ranges: There are two major mountain ranges in Italy, the Alps and the Appennino or Apennines. The Alps, divided into regions called, from west to east the Occidentali, the Centrali, and the Orientali, border with France, Austria and Switzerland. The backbone of Italy is formed by the north-south trending Appennino chain. You may hear of the Dolomites, which are really part of the Alps, located in the regions of South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno The highest point in Italy is Mont Blanc, in the alps at 15,770 feet.
Volcanoes: Vesuvius, near Naples, is the only active volcano on the European mainland. Mount Etna, on the island of Sicily, is one of the world's largest volcanoes.
Major Rivers: These correspond to major tourist destinations in Italy. The Po, which starts in the Alps and flows eastward from Turin to the Adriatic through the very fertile Po Valley. The Arno, which flows from the north-central Apennines through Florence and empties into the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the Tiber, which flows from the Apennines then south through Rome, emptying into the Tyrrhenian Sea
Italian hand gestures
When it comes to speaking with their hands, the Italians are masters. Many gestures are just meant to emphasize normal conversations. Some others belong to the category of Parolacce (bad words). This video summarizes some of the most popular hand gestures that you may happen to witness in your next trip to Italy.Beware, you may end up learning more than what you wished.
Perugia..a wonderful city
Perugia
Perugia is a very cosmopolitan city and home to two universities. It hosts a world-famous jazz festival in the summer and its University for Foreigners is a great place to learn Italian. It's a walled city on a hilltop with great views over the valley and has several important monuments and a good central square. Its history goes back to the ninth century BC. Perugia is in the center of Italy and is the capital of the region of Umbria.
The city view before reaching the top
Bird view of Perugia.
