italia.it
Italia.it is the official website for tourism in Italy, sponsored by the Italian Government. Its principal objective is that of being a knowledge source on the places, attractions and services relevant to Italian tourism.
Italian culture and history: Caserta, the Royal Palace and Park
The Royal Palace at Caserta and its park, inserted as one of the 49 Italian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1997, are treasures of truly incomparable splendor. Commissioned by Charles III of Bourbon in the 1700s, Luigi Vanvitelli planned this palace, a triumph of the Italian Baroque and one of the most famous and important works by the Neapolitan ar...
Italian land and nature: The Italian Riviera of Ponente
Jagged-edge coasts, enormous cliffs that go on for miles, enchanting, characteristic sea villages: each one is different from the other, yet each one is a reflection of the setting that is the Italian Riviera (also known as the Ligurian Riviera). The Riviera is subdivided into the Riviera di Ponente (Coast of the Setting Sun) and the Riviera di Lev...
Italian culture and history: Barumini: The Nuraghi
The Nuragic complex of Barumini rises in an area known as the Marmilla, located in south-central Sardinia (in the Province of Medio Campidano). The complex at Barumini is one of the 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites that can be found in Italy. According to UNESCO, this extremely valuable and important archaeological site is exemplary for being the mo...
Italian land and nature: Siena Province and its Terme
Marvelous Medieval borgoes, lush nature that transforms into a dreamlike landscape, with hot springs immersed in the Tuscan countryside – these are the typical traits of the Province of Siena. Nature, art, relaxation, beauty and wellness combine to create the magic formula that has long attracted innumerable tourists to the most exclusive spots in ...
Italian culture and history: The Catacombs of Naples
The Catacombs of Naples, in Campania, make for a millenary monument to Neapolitan religiosity. Of these, the Catacombs of San Gennaro cover approximately 60,278 sq ft within tuff excavations on the Capodimonte Hill, and host around 2,000 burial recesses, along with 500 sarcophagi dug into wall niches. The Catacombs of San Gennaro The San Gennaro Ca...
Italian land and nature: Traveling Barbagia
When one thinks of Sardinia, summer, the sea, celebrations and dream destinations oft-frequented by the international jet-set come to mind. But if we try to abandon this narrow image for just a moment, we can discover what the rest of Sardinia is truly about. The largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily, it is much more than just the Emera...
Italian land and nature: The Lakes of Trentino Alto Adige
Known for its rosè-hued mountain faces, the autonomous Region of Trentino Alto Adige is a natural paradise and itinerary must, particularly for those moved and swayed by what is lacustrine. The area’s approximately three-hundred bodies of water, of varying size and dimension, and even altitude, are but glimmering jewels set within this mountainous,...
Italian culture and history: Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno is a beautiful Medieval city in Italy’s Marche Region: its skyline is punctured by domes, spires and bell towers and filled with the golden hue of its travertine architecture. The city is surrounded on three sides by the courses of two Rivers, the Tronto and Castellano. The Middle Ages are the focal point of the Marches's history, and...
Italian culture and history: The Scrovegni Chapel in Padua
Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel is, without a doubt, an artistic masterpiece. Built on the dime and ambition of a powerful usurer, Enrico Scrovegni, the Chapel was adorned with the frescoes of Giotto, who dedicated himself to the project for 855 days between the years 1302 and 1305. Purposed as the Scrovegni Family’s personal chapel and to be annexed to i...
Italian land and nature: The Lagoon of Orbetello
The Lagoon of Orbetello, in Tuscany, is a natural paradise that draws numerous travelers in the know all year long. In the lower Maremma, it is protected by the World Environment Fund since 1971, allowing for its ecosystem – comprising many species of migratory birds – to thrive. This splendid zone, overlooked by the 2,083-ft. Monte Argentario, is...
Italian culture and history: The Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs, sacredness and beauty
Located behind Farnese Palace, right next to the 14th-century St Paul's Church, the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs in Campli (Teramo) attracts thousands of faithful followers every year, who flock to discover places of worship with an evocative tradition and a fascinating history. Traditionally, you climb the 28 hard oak steps, in a magica...
Italian land and nature: Capalbio and the Maremma
Crystal clear waters and coasts that are still partly wild inviting countryside for those looking for relaxation away from the busy pace of the city villages nestled on ancient castles and a rich cuisine where you can find, unchanged, traditional, local food and wine. These are the things that make the Maremma so dear to Italian and foreign visitor...