Italy Shire

Formia today …

2013-02-18T16:47:00.000+01:00

Many scholars link the city of Formia to the legendary city inhabited by the cannibal Lestrigoni population which destroyed Ulysses' fleet in the Iliad, while others believe it was the Spartan colony in which Aeneas stopped on his way to Lavinium. More probably, the city was founded by the Aurunci and then occupied by the Volsci. During Roman times, the ancient town of Formiae was one of the most important cities on the Via Appia between Rome and Capua, and, indeed, its position on the Via Appia, its closeness to the sea, the mildness of its climate, the beauty of its environment and its relative closeness to Rome made it one of the best and most sought after holiday locations for wealthy Romans.

Among the visitors to the area were Mamurra and Maecenas, both of whom built villas in the area, although its most famous visitor was undoubtedly Cicero, who loved to spend long periods of time in the area and even sought refuge there on being forced to escape from Rome. Formia is also believed to be the birth place of Vitruvius. During the reign of Hadrian, Formia was raised to the status of Roman colony and continued to flourish as a city until it was occupied by the Longobards. Evidence of this long period of wellbeing is provided by a number of items found under the church of Saint Erasmus following its destruction by the Saracens. Formia was a diocesan centre until well into the 5th century. Unfortunately, the city was seriously damaged by bombing during the second world war.

Today...
Formia is now an important seaside resort with long sandy beaches as well as a comfortable base for holiday makers wishing to venture into the Aurunci mountains. Its enchanting bay is generally crowded with sailing boats, water skiers and delta-planers.

The island of Ponza

2013-02-17T16:44:00.001+01:00

The island of Ponza has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age, although its villages were only established under the domination of the Volsci.
Used as a trading port by the Phoenicians and a holiday resort by the Romans - of whose villas many traces still remain, the most famous being the 1st century villa located on the hill of the Madonna in the middle ages, Ponza was a flourishing religious and commercial centre.
Subject to numerous incursions by Saracen pirates, the waters of Ponza have been the arena of many battles including the battle in which Ruggero Lauria, Duke of Calabria, defeated Admiral Corrado Doria.
In the 14th century the Aragons drove out the Cistercian monks who inhabited the island with the result that they founded the church of Saint Mary of Ponza in Formia.
In 1542 King Carlos V of Spain ceded the island of Ponza to Pier Luigi Farnese on the premise that he would defend it from pirate incursions.
After a short period of Austrian domination, in 1734 Elisabetta Farnese, the mother of King Charles Bourbon II of Naples, conveyed the whole archipelago to her son who insisted that the islands should become private assets of the crown.
In 1813 Ponza was occupied by the British army and only given back to the Bourbon dynasty two years after the signing of the Treaty of Vienna.
Following the success of Giuseppe Garibaldi, in 1861 Ponza was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.
In 1928 the island was used by the Fascist regime as a prison for its political opponents, while Mussolini was imprisoned on the island in 1943.
Today...
Ponza offers both unspoiled nature and fashionable resorts.
One of its most famous attractions is the Chiaia di Luna beach which takes its name from the lunar colour of the 200 metre high cliffs which make it one of the most enchanting spots on the island.

Latina, the history

2012-11-17T17:45:00.000+01:00

Yesteryear...
Founded in 1932 under the Fascism regime and originally named Littoria, the city was built on the site of a small village which had developed during the reclamation of the Pontine marshes. The building project was led by Valentino Orsoline Cancelli, Government Commissioner for the Reclamation of the Pontine Marshes. The reclamation work was widely exploited by Fascist propagandists and indeed they are many famous images of Mussolini working in fields where there was once nothing but marshland. The city changed its name from Littoria to Latina with the fall of Fascism and, despite having been seriously damaged during the second world war, experienced great economic development in the 1960s and 1070s as a result of its inclusion in the Cassa del Mezzogiorno.

Today...
Latina is now the second most highly populated city in Lazio and an important agricultural and industrial centre. It also has a military airport. Developed according to a plan based on the fundamental principles of urban design and architectural rationalism, Latina is a fine example of a modern Italian city whose geometrically inspired streets and squares are typical of minimalist architecture.

Terracina: the history

2012-11-16T17:41:00.000+01:00

Yesteryear...
Supposedly founded by a group of Spartans who fled their city in order to escape the reforms of Lycurgus, the city of Terracina was conquered by the Volsci before becoming a Roman colony in 329.
Enlarged and renovated during the reign of Sulla, the city soon became one of the most flourishing centres in Lazio.
In the 4th century Bc, it was the birthplace of the Emperor Galba and throughout the imperial age it was the favourite holiday resort of the Roman nobility.
Both Trajan and Antoninus Pius improved the city's ancient port, while Trajan also improved the surface of the Via Appia.
Appointed a diocesan centre in the 4th century, the city suffered serious moments of decline as a result of barbarian invasions and Saracen attacks.
In 882, the city was incorporated into the estate of the church of Saint Peter, although it was nevertheless granted considerable autonomy.
Defended against the Frangipane family by the papal authorities, in 1088 the city was chosen as the location of the first conclave to be held outside Rome during which Pope Urban II was elected.
Although the progressive swamping of the Pontine plain caused the city to fall into decline, in the 18th century its fortunes revived following drainage of the surrounding area by Pope Pius Vi, who also extended the city.
Unfortunately much of the medieval city was destroyed by bombing during the second world war, although some early 13th - late 14th century Gothic style buildings still survive.

Today...
Its enviable geographical position, beautiful medieval city centre and marvellous promontory make Terracina one of the most delightful cities in the region of Lazio.
On clear days the view from the city extends as far as the island of Ischia and Mount Vesuvius.

San Felice Circeo: the history

2012-11-15T17:39:00.001+01:00

Possibility inhabited as early as the 1st century bc and then occupied by the Volsci, San Felice Circeo became a Roman colony in 393 bc following the construction of a port-canal by the Emperor Nero.
Devastated by the Visigoths, the city was subsequently conquered by Totila, the King of the Ostrogoths, only to be destroyed by the Saracens.
The castle was built in 1118 by the Terracinesi family and occupied by the Frangipane family until 1203 when Pope Innocence III ordered that it should be consigned to Pietro Annibaldo.
Having returned to the estate of the Terracinesi family, in 1250 the castle was ceded to the Knights Templar before being sold to the Pironti family (the lords of Terracina), the Annibaldeschi family and finally, in 1301, to Pietro Castani, the grandson of Pope Boniface Viii, in whose family it remained, with the exception of a few brief interruptions, for approximately four centuries.
In 1441 the village of San Felice Circeo was destroyed by Alfonso of Aragon and the inhabitants were forced to seek shelter in Terracina until the estate was given back to the Castani family by Pope Pius II.
Subsequently re-acquired by Pope Alexander VI for his daughter Lucrezia Borgia, in 1500 the city was devastated by the army of King Frederick of Naples.
Passing into the hands of the Ruspoli and Orsini families, the city was then sold to the Apostolic Camera which was soon forced to sell the estate to Prince Stanislao Poniatowski for 86 thousand scudi in order to meet the expense of supporting the French army.
Prince Poniatowski was nevertheless obliged to return the city to the Apostolic Camera in 1822.
Today...
San Felice Circeo is one of the smartest seaside resorts in Lazio.
In addition to a collection of elegant boutiques, top class restaurants and delightful hotels, the town also offers spectacular views over the Pontine plain towards Latina, over Terracina, over Ponza and as far as the Lepini and Musoni mountains.
The National Park of Circeo encloses over 10 kilometres a sandy dunes.

European Heritage Days 24th and 25th September in Italy

2011-09-13T12:57:00.001+02:00

Italy is taking part, together with other 49 European States in the 2011 European Heritage Days that will take place in our country on 24th and 25th September, with the wellestablished slogan "Italy – Treasure of Europe". Since its founding in 1954, this event has been widely followed and much appreciated by the public as it has provided an opportunity to become acquainted with the extraordinary European cultural heritage. Over the years, the event has become of such importance that in 1999 the European Council and the European Commission made it a mutual undertaking, with the intent to strengthen and favour dialogue and cultural exchange with the objective of increasing public awareness with respect to the great wealth that cultural diversity generates within Europe. It is therefore necessary to reaffirm, together with the European countries, common cultural and historical roots, fundamental for the development of common strategies and projects for the protection and safeguarding and for the acquiring and passing on to future generations, even in moments of crisis, of the knowledge of the great cultural heritage of our country and that of the whole of Europe. The recent inscription of two new Italian sites to UNESCO's World Heritage List - "Longobards in Italy - Places of the power"and "Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps", enters into the spirit of the European Days. The series of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt house) settlements in and around the Alps, comprising 111 villages, extending into the territory of 7 countries: Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Germany and Slovenia, testifies the existence of a strong common link between old continent traditions. MiBAC will be participating in this grand European festival with both its central and territorial institutions which, as well as organising events for the occasion, will open free of charge to the public, all State heritage sites including those of archaeological, artistic, historical, architectural, archival, cinematographic, theatrical and musical interest. In synergy with MiBAC, the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with the Italian Cultural Institutions Abroad, the autonomous Regions and Provinces and public and private Communal and Cultural Institutions, will take part in the event giving added value to the initiative by opening art sites free of charge and organising events. With the free entry to art sites and the organisation of numerous events, the public will be able to freely discover or rediscover both known and less well-known museums, monuments or archaeological sites, offering the opportunity to reflect on the foundations of our history. It is necessary, however, to reinforce communications so that this becomes an opportunity for the citizens of each European State to find out about the cultural heritage of other European countries, appreciate differences, embrace similarities and understand in this way, the sense of a common Europe which cannot exist as such without the awareness of common ideas, values and sentiments. During these "Days" the entire European artistic and cultural heritage will be open to the World.

Umbria Film Festival 2011

2011-07-03T09:00:00.001+02:00

Fifteen Umbria Film Festivals. This event has reached an artistic and organizational maturity that make it one of the main cultural events of our region. This has been made possible only thanks to the constant and tireless work of the Associazione Umbria Film Festival, its President Marisa Berna, the artistic director Vanessa Strizzi and all those members, i cannot name them all, who with passion and enthusiasm have continued to work to create and organize this event. To all of them goes my personal and heart-felt tank, for the passion and tenacity with which over so many years they have worked for this event. Even if it does not show, there have been and there are difficulties and obstacles that we have had to deal with in order to organize such an important event, however they have always been overcome and forgotten when on the big screen we see the images created by some many extraordinary artists who have been and will be at our Festival. My heart-felt thanks are also due to the institutions, namely the Regional Government of Umbria and of the Province of Perugia, as well as to all those companies that support us even in this moment of general extreme economic difficulties. i always hope in a time when Italy will become seriously aware of the fact that our real country does not belong to the powdered, haughty and hugely costly image that appears on television, but to the thousands of local realities in which culture represents a fundamental element in the construction of people-oriented quality of life and in the fulfilment of the rights of citizenship for those who live in these places. Nonetheless, the Festival is still here ready to give us emotions and to make us think, to make us defend even in out open-minded Region the need for a relativistic-based cultural approach in order to make us able to fight against the germs of both ideological infections and the critical anaemia that characterize our current society. a special mention is due to our friend and cocitizen Terry Gilliam. His appreciation for our Festival, for Montone and its inhabitants, that he never fails to express whenever he has the chance, makes us deeply proud and honoured of such consideration. Thank you Terry!

Mayor of Montone Mariano Tirimagni

Meal times in Italy - the importance of wine

2010-12-08T07:36:00.000+01:00

In Italy wine exists primarily to turn everyday meals and family get togethers into pleasurable social occasions.
Wine is part of the cultural fabric of Italian life. It goes on the table along with the salt, pepper and olive oil and is made to be drunk with food. This means that the flavours of Italian wine are often both more subtle and more demanding than those of wines from countries where the link between food and wine is less strong.
Just as there is hardly any such thing as ‘Italian' cooking, the wines of Italy are intensely regional. Vine growing echoes the North / South divide, though largely for climatic reasons. Wines from a delimited region are designated Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC). Most Doc wine, which accounts for about one in every eight bottles produced in Italy is produced north of Rome.
As one travels south the grape varieties and the tastes become increasingly exotic. Italy grows more grape varieties and makes more wine (nearly a fifth of the world's total) than any other country. Not all of it good, but much of it exciting.

The Cinque Terra region of Italy

2010-11-18T07:35:00.000+01:00

The Cinque Terra refers to a strand of five delightful Mediterranean seaside villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore) cascading along a five mile stretch of the northwestern Italian coast like glistening, glittering little gems.

Monterosso al Mare
Vernazza
Corniglia
Manarolo
Riomaggiore

We will fly into Genoa, take the train or ferry* toward La Spezia to Monterosso and then we can either walk between the towns, take the train, or ferry* (*the ferry does not dock at Corniglia due to the lack of harbor). Cars are out of the question here, as it should be. The some 600 residents of Vernazza banded together and stopped a road from built through their town. Bless their souls.
Thankfully, there are no Super 8s, but there are several nice hotels and Bed & Breakfasts, we can also rent rooms from the locals or stay in a hostel. Here is a link to the Baranin B&B whose AMAZING site has more information about the Cinque Terra than their own B&B! Strangely, it seem to imitate and replicate THIS SITE.
I don't expect we will go hungry, especially if you like pasta, pesto, focaccia or farinata, fish, wine, olives and grapes as this region is quite famous for all of those delicacies. Mmmm, farinata.
We will be spending our days working up our appetites by hiking the trails, diving, swimming, sunning on the beach, fishing and boating, attending a festival or two if we time our trip right - we just missed the Lemon Festival in May, we will also be spending some time in the Cinque Terra National Park and Marine Reserve, as well as exploring the five five castles and the five sanctuaries of each of the unique Cinque Terra towns, but mostly we are going to literally absorb peace and quiet while we reflect and relax.
If you want to learn more, visit, my favorite - the 5terra website, the Cinque Terra Consortium, Cinque Terra online, the dreaded wiki page, and I also found this helpful site put together by a past visitor to the Cinque Terra.
If sightseeing pictorials are more your taste, please visit the TerraGalleria gallery and the picturescolourlibrary gallery.

Fare Night-Perugia Estate 2010

2010-07-22T18:22:00.001+02:00

In times of crisis, the possibilities that are generally considered are two: give in to the inevitable or proudly resist. We have identified a third: re-launch. Thanks to the extraordinary response from cultural operators and private companies, various associations and citizens who are simply passionate about sounds, words and colours, we have created a summer programme packed with events linked to the great collective project "Perugia Assisi European Capitals of Culture".

A new package, "Fare Night-Perugia Estate 2010", has replaced the glorious "Tenera è la Notte", with the aim of discovering a different part of Europe every year beginning with the Balkans. We will encounter this extraordinary treasure and contradiction of our continent in a series of initiatives developed around the charismatic figure of Goran Bregovic, who is in concert in Piazza IV Novembre, on the 10th August for the "Notte delle Stelle". Moreover, music, theatre and literature are being performed as part of the project "Voci ‘e Notti - Attori improbabili in cerca di pubblico" on the terrace of Cinema Lilli, an event that can be coupled to the more traditional programme of " Palazzo della Penna presenta..." The events on offer in the Monteluce neighbourhood are new, with open-air cinema evenings and the grand finale of "Sogno in una notte di fine estate" which with art, live shows and gastronomy will conclude a summer celebration to be enjoyed as a sign of collaboration, conviviality and the pleasure of being together.

Hence, FareNight Perugia Estate 2010 kicks off the new cultural offer for the city of Perugia, which will continue on September 25th, with the inauguration of the great exhibition "Teatro del Sogno - da Chagall a Fellini" (Theatre of Dreams - from Chagall to Fellini) at the National Gallery of Umbria.

Wladimiro Boccali Mayor of the Municipality of Perugia
Andrea Cernicchi Councillor for Cultural and Social Policies
Giovedì 22 Luglio 2010

Did you know The Mamuthones?

2010-01-30T13:32:00.000+01:00

The Mamuthones is one of the most interesting archaic carnivals in the whole of Europe, which takes place on Shrove Tuesday in the old town centre of . Apart from the floats and various other entertainments, all recent additions to the carnival, the heart of the event is centred on two closed groups of masked men: the 12 Mamuthones and the 8 Issoahodores.
They are dressed in their costumes according to a precise order which is centuries old, and which takes a very long time. The Mamuthones carry a heavy bunch of handbells and their faces are hidden behind fearsome masks: their terrifying appearance is offset to some extent by the contrast with the colourful costumes of the Issoahodores.
During the day the protagonists have no contact with the public but perform a mysterious dance, with slow solemn paces, that is drawn out until midnight. The masked figures radiate a solemn aura that is extremely moving.

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Specchia and the pilgrims’ road as known as Cammino Leucadense

2009-12-18T22:19:00.000+01:00

The pilgrims’ road

Time has stood still here in Specchia, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Just a few kilometres outside the town you can still find traces of the ancient Via dei Pellegrini, also known as the “Cammino Leucadense”, the route used by pilgrims to reach the Madonna di Finibus Terrae sanctuary at Leuca. From the year 1300, the first Holy Year, it was also used as a route to Rome.

According to tradition, in 1220, Saint Francis of Assisi also used this road on his return from the Holy Land, a fact backed by the presence of the Black Franciscan church and monastery.
Along the Via dei Pellegrini there is still evidence of its past that was rich in events that deeply influenced the life and culture of the local people; this penitential route touched the edge of Specchia, continued on to the small church of S. Angelo, now reduced to just a few ruins, then continued on to the Serra dei Peccatori and Serra dei Cianci.
The main road connected numerous crypts, sanctuaries, votive chapels and places of worship scattered along the mountain ranges. It is still possible to go along the secondary branch of the road leading to the abbeys and churches that offered refreshment to the body and the spirit and which became halting places for the pilgrims.

The Specchia’s area

Specchia, situated in the hills of the Salentina peninsula and surrounded by olive groves and Mediterranean maquis, also offers a splendid view of much of Capo di Leuca, a panorama lit by the blazing sun and the reflection from the white-washed walls of the houses.
The village offers peace and solitude as well as the opportunity of admiring its Catalan and Baroque portals, cornices in Leccese stone, ornate corbels on the balconies, wrought iron railings, arches, friezes and votive niches.
Conservation of this ancient hamlet is an objective, and you will note the absence of cables on the outside of the houses. The narrow lanes, interrupted by flights of steps and closed to traffic, enclose this hamlet which is the result of spontaneous architecture dating from the 16th century.

Useful information

Town Hall via San Giovanni Bosco 1 tel. 0833536293 fax 0833539769 www.comune. specchia.lecce.it segreteria@comune. specchia.lecce.it

Visualizzazione ingrandita della mappa

Valesio (Torchiarolo) in Puglia

2009-12-09T22:08:00.000+01:00

Valesio (Torchiarolo)

In ancient times, Valesio was known as Valisu and it was an ancient Messapic settlement that was later occupied by the Greeks and then the Romans. The oldest ceramic finds made in the area are from the 8th century BC. In the 4th century, the settlement really became an expansive urban area, covering about 72 km2 (90 ha, according to various ongoing studies).
At the beginning of the Imperial era, the Greek geographer Strabo baptised the town Aletia, while the best known Latin writers called it Valetium or Balesium. In the 4th century, in the Tabula Peutingeriana it was named as Balentium, and then Valentium. The ancient town was on the Via Appia running from Traiana to Càlabra. It was also crossed by a stream and, during the reign of Constantine I the Great (280-337) is became a station for the Imperial post service. Since it was halfway between Brindisi and Lecce, it also was a staging post (that is, a place where horses and mules could be changed) and offered other services, including a spa complex. Historians generally agree that Valesio was abandoned towards the end of the Roman period, although some claim it was destroyed by William the Bad in 1147.
As yet, there is no archaeological evidence to support the latter theory. The Valesio archaeological area covers about 90 ha in the north of the Torchiarolo municipality, about 5 km from the town. It includes the remnants of the settlement that existed from the 8th century BC to the late Roman age and the ring of walls (4/3C BC) with a double curtain wall filled with stones.
The latter structure is about 3 km long, 4 m high and is still clearly visible in many parts. Behind the Via Traiana-Càlabra, you can see the structures from a late Roman spa. Indeed, visiting this part really makes it possible to learn how the baths worked and how the water was heated using a complex system of hot air. Various objects have been found at the site, including precious vases, weapons, a range of gold and silver objects, Messapic, Greek and Roman coins and a number of inscriptions. These finds are now on display in the provincial museum. The quantity and variety coins from a number of the major cities of those times indicate the importance of Valesio as a trading centre. It is likely that it even had its own mint producing silver coins. It is also worth visiting the Parish church, a restored 18th-century building.

Riserva Statale delle Cesine

2009-12-05T22:07:00.000+01:00

Riserva Statale delle Cesine

The Cesine wetland lies 5 km from San Cataldo, which was the old Porto Adriano that served Lecce. The wetland covers 620 ha, with 348 in the Riserva Statale delle Cesine, created in 1977. The area is managed by the WWF and, since 1980, it has been the Riserva Naturale di Popolamento Animale. It is both beautiful and varied, with rich vegetation and a range of animals, some of which live in the park and others that are migratory. Moreover, this is one of the last stretches of the coastal marshes that stretched from Brindisi to Otranto.
Although this is predominantly a wetland, it does cover a number of environments and, particular, various sections of transitional vegetation. There are large expanses of reed-beds (among the reeds, you might see the colourful yellow iris or purple orchid), numerous water channels, stretches of swamp, fens and two ponds (Pantano Grande and Salapi). These are separated from the sea by a barrier of sand dunes colonised by European searocket, salsola, sea bindweed, Phoenician juniper, sea holly and the lily.
The other areas of the reserve are the pine groves, Mediterranean scrubland, holm oak wood and the cultivated zones. Since the reserve lies on one of the main Mediterranean migratory routes, it is a stopover point for numerous birds, such as mallards, northern pintails, wigeons, sheldrakes, mergansers, ferruginous ducks, grey and purple herons, great egrets, little egrets, spoonbills, marsh harriers, terns, little bitterns and black-winged stilts. The Riserva Statale delle Cesine is open all year round and also offers various guided tours, environmental summer camps and adventure camps for children. The ‘Le Cesine’ grange has been turned into accommodation and a Visitors’ Centre. It is also the hub of a series of trails that explore the pine groves and Mediterranean scrubland before reaching the hides where you can watch the marshes. One of these trails is suitable for wheelchairs.

How to get there
Riserve delle Cesine: from Lecce take the SS543 to San Cataldo and then the Salento coast road for 5 km going south.

Useful addresses
Riserva statale delle Cesine visits and information: Coop. OASI, tel. 0832892264.

Oasi Naturalistica di Torre Guaceto

2009-12-03T22:06:00.000+01:00

Oasi Naturalistica di Torre Guaceto

The Oasi Naturalistica di Torre Guaceto lies about 15 km north of Brindisi and consists of a marine protected area and a state nature reserve. These areas cover, respectively, about 600 ha of sea and 1,200 ha of land, and are managed by the WWF. The reserve protects a freshwater wetland surrounded by Mediterranean scrubland and separated from the sea by sand dunes. The sea section runs from
Penna Grossa to the Apani rocks, covering about 5 miles. The outer barrier is the point where the sea reaches a depth of 50 m, about a mile off the coast. The pools of water in the wetland, filled with vast reed-beds of Phragmites australis, are fed by freshwater springs that drain here from inland zones (‘guaceto’ literally means ‘place of freshwater’).
The dunes, rising 10 m and extending for about 800 m, are the result of thousands of years of the movement of the sea and wind. They are also the realm of pioneer plants. The scrubland, especially common in the northern reaches of the reserve, has holm oak, Aleppo pine, juniper, mastic, various forms of cistus, myrtle, thyme and squill, a geophyte that can survive fires because it has an underground bulb that is rich in nutrients.
Finally, the rocks are home to Aglium commutatum, known locally as sea garlic. In terms of animals, it is worth listing the badger, which digs visible dens in the dunes, the weasel and the fox.
The wetlands also provide a nesting area for a large number of migratory birds, like the grey heron, little egret, moorhen and marsh harrier. The sea is rich in animal life and you might see dolphins and the loggerhead turtle. Sometimes, quite far off-shore, you can see rorqual whales.
The protected area, open all year, also has various guided activities led by experts: cycle-trekking, walking and, only in the summer, sea-watching, which is done using a mask and fins.

How to get there
Oasi di Torre Guaceto: take the SS379 Bari-Brindisi road and exit at Serranova going towards Punta Penna Grossa.

Useful addresses
Riserva naturale dello Stato e Area marina protetta di Torre Guaceto visits and information: Consorzio di gestione di Torre Guaceto contrada Serranova 26 Carovigno tel. 0831989885.

The Nature in Province of Viterbo

2009-11-26T15:01:00.000+01:00

Due to an industrial development limited to very few areas, the province of Viterbo is of great environmental interest with vast uncontaminated regions.

We begin at the Cimino hills, or better still, from the NATURE RESERVE OF VICO LAKE. This area, envelopped in an extraordinary frame of mountains, stretches for approximately 3.OOO hectares and is covered for two-thirds by giants beeches, chestnut and age-long cerris; the remaining partis dedicated to the valuable cultivation of hazelnuts.The flora is particularly luxuriant among other flowers we can find orchids, violets, scyllas, snowdrops and the lilies of Saint John. Also the fauna life is extremely rich: buzzards, lanners, kites, pilgrim hawks, woodpeckers, tawny owls and little owls not forgetting acquatic species such as the herons, the ducks and the limicoulous.
As for mammals along the nature trails we encounter foxes, porcupines, wild boars, badgers and beech martens. As for the lake fauna we find tenches, royal perches, pikes, eels and whitefishes. In addition to the nature trails within the Reserve it is possible to find a parking area and comfortable picnic areas. Remaining at the slopes of the Cimino Hills near SORIANO NEL CIMINO the FAGGETA is well worth a visit. It is a vast area covered with age-longs beeches situated at more than 1.OOO meters above sea-level.
At CORCHIANO we can visit the WWF OASIS, where, inside the 500 hectares of uncontaminated land buzzards and kestrels make nests, living together with royal owls and barn owls. Apart from hawks and nocturnal birds of prey, there are also lapwings, woodpeckers, jays, wood cocks and wood pigeons.
Among the mammals are foxes, porcupines, badgers and extremely rare wild cats. We then move on and reach CALCATA to visit the SUBURBAN PARK VALLE DEL TREJA.
This protected area stretches for approximately 1.000 hectares. The inaccessible gorges hollowed out by the river are inhabited by foxes, porcupines, badgers and weasels, while the sky is dominated by hawks, such as kites, kestrels, buzzards and by nocturnal birds of prey such as owls, tawny owls and barn owls. Possible encounters: jays and woodpeckers.
After a brief visit to MONTEROSI LAKE we move on to oneof the most interesting places: the SUBURBAN PARK MARTURANUM at BARBARANO ROMANO. The area of the Park varies in altitude from the 900 metersof the Cimino Hills to the 600 meters of the Tolfa Mountains. The Park is subject to continous climatic and morphological changes.
The arid and bare hills of the Southern part contrast with the inaccessible gorges and deep vallies covered with luxuriant vegetation in the North. This is where numerous animals species find thier natural habitat. Birds of prey: kites, buzzards, kestrels, pilgrim hawks, tawny owls, owls, scop owls, royal owls. Among the mammals worthy of note is the exceptional presence of the wild cat, not forgetting beech martens, weasels, foxes and wild boars.
Particularly interesting is encountering horses and cows of the Maremma grazingin the wild. From Barbarano Romano we are headed towards the coastto visit the NATURE RESERVE DELLE SALINE at TARQUINIA where there is a safe refuge for numeous birds such as herons, cormorants, hawks, herodias alba and ducks. Following a short strip of the Aurelia we reach VULCI (MONTALTO DI CASTRO) where there is a WWF OASIS. The protected area stretches over 158 hectares alongthe Fiora River. Herons, nocturnal crows, herodias alba, mallards and also the extremely rare otter find refuge here.
Leaving Vulci we reach the LAMONE FOREST in the FARNESE TERRITORY an then on the MEZZANO LAKE at LATERA. The inacceesible undergrowth that stretches up to theborder of Tuscany is mainly made up of cerris and the tipycal mediterranean maquis. In the undergrowth there are the characteristic murce , that is large rocks “mysteriously” joined together.
At ACQUAPENDENTE we can visit the NATURE RESERVE OF MONTE RUFENO.
This area stretches over 3.000 hectares near the river Paglia. Within the reserve there are many species such as deers, badgers, foxes, porcupines, stone martens and wild boars. Birds include scops owls, owls,tawny owls. There are also blooming flowers that can be admired inside the FLOWER MUSEUM and animals can be seen on foot, on horseback or by mountain-bike. Along the Cassia we reach BOLSENA LAKE. With a perimeter of approximately 43 km the basin makes up the biggest Italian volcanic lake.
Last stop is at CASTIGLIONE IN TEVERINA on the VALLE DEL TEVERE a few kilometers away from VALLE DEI CALANCHI at BAGNOREGIO: clayey (furrows) carved by atmospheric agents into fascinating and monumental forms in the environmental context of the VALLE DEL TEVERE

Carfizzi: an Albanian island in the mountains Between Basilicata and Calabria

2009-11-25T15:59:00.000+01:00

An Albanian island in the mountains between Basilicata and Calabria there is an ethnic-linguistic island of Albanian origin that constitutes a cultural melting-pot deeply linked to its roots, to which Carfizzi also belongs.
Arberesh, an ancient Albanian language, is still spoken fluently in Carfizzi, the smallest municipality in the province of Crotone. In the town it is possible to see graffiti decorations around the windows and on the house fronts.
Shawls and linen and woolen covers with Byzantine patterns are still woven using hand looms, and household items, such as straw baskets, are made by hand using century-old traditions.
The goldsmith’s art is also of importance and incorporates Oriental designs such as the jannacche, hollow spheres of gold twisted by hand used in necklaces.
Typical products are red wine, olive oil, and cheese such as ricotta, pecorino and caciocavallo. A typical dish is the furisiscka’, a soup made with courgettes and their flowers dressed with crude olive oil accompanied with hot toasted bread.
The traditional costume is the szocha, a dress of Albanian origins with hand embroidered details that the women wear on special days. In the summer there are various folkloristic events when the girls wear these splendid costumes and the gold jewellery that has been passed down from mother to daughter.
The area Situated in the Presilane hills north of the area of Marchesato, Carfizzi, which stands on a splendid hill isolated by the deep gorges of two streams, was founded in the 15th century by Demetrius Reres, a general invited to Calabria by the Captain-General of Albania to help Ferdinand I of Aragon, King of Naples, after the revolt of the feudatories who had remained loyal to the Angevins.
When the inhabitants of ancient Crisma fled from the Saracens to the mountains, they founded the villages of Carfidi, Trivio and Santa Venera, from which, in around 1530, Carfizzi came into being. The luxuriant greenery of the Montagnella park, founded to protect the Mediterranean maquis, reveals the uncontaminated beauty of the area of Carfizzi.

Foggia’s Wines

2009-11-21T21:56:00.000+01:00

Puglia’s northern wine district is in the province of Foggia. The chain of hills that rise from the Tavoliere plain to gradually blend with the Daunia mountains, with their clay soil, are a good starting point for exploring the area’s wines.
The town of San Severo is the largest wine producing centre in the area, all the wines, reds and whites, under its umbrella have DOC certification and are generally based on white Bombino grapes and Tuscan Trebbiano. This powerhouse has gradually been flanked over the years by the district of Lucera, the historical heart of the local Troia grape growing area, which yields the original red DOC, Cacc’e mmitte. The area also produces the DOC wines Orta Nova and the red , as well as the two IGT wines, Daunia and Puglia.

Some of these wines also use another two typical strains of local red grapes that become ever more prevalent the further south you go in Puglia: primitivo and negroamaro.

Scents and specialities from the Grecanic culture in Calabria

2009-11-13T15:48:00.000+01:00

In pockets of Puglia and Calabria, roughly 16- 17,000 people perpetuate Greek, or Grecanic, culture through their speech and traditions. In the Calabrian peninsular the Grecanic culture areas are in Bovesia and the Sila Greca and above all in Bova, Bova Marina, Roccaforte del Greco and Roghudi, with the two hamlets of Amendolea and Gallicanò, in the province of Reggio Calabria. Experts wonder whether these Greek-speaking areas are directly connected to the Ionic colonies that were part of Magna Graecia 2500 years ago.
Although a more logical explanation is that the origin of these communities goes back to Byzantine times, and the emigration of the Hellenic populations fleeing from Slav, Albanian, Wallachian and Bulgarian advances and the raids of Norman and Arab pirates.
The culture of the founders has been preserved down through the centuries mainly thanks to the Basilian monks, whose fathers went into exile to and who still today hold their rites in Greek.

The Calabrian Greek-speaking area shares a similar climate and an ancient farming and herding economy based on that trio of typical Mediterranean products: the vine, oil and grain with their original homeland.
These fruits of the earth are flanked by herding, mainly sheep and goats, that provide meat, milk and cheese. Inevitably the local cuisine has blended in with that of the countryside around it, although it is still possible to catch a glimpse of the Hellenic tradition in some of the more archaic dishes. One example is ‘lestopitta’, a quickly made pizza mix of flour and water that is fried and used instead of bread.
The same area also produces ‘cordelle’, made from a mixture of rye flour and served simply with oil, cheese and pepper. Closer to Calabria’s own traditions are ‘maccaruni’, spun around a spindle and served with a tomato or simple meat sauce often based on goats’ meat.

The Lombard Abbey in San Vincenzo al Volturno

2009-11-06T14:21:00.000+01:00

San Vincenzo al Volturno is one of Molise’s most important medieval centres, with its monastery founded towards the end of the 7th century under the aegis of the Lombard Gisulfo I, Duke of Benevento. The monastery, connected to Montecassino, reached the height of its influence in the 9th century, when under its abbot, Giosuè, it had over 300 monks, eight churches and possessions in the regions of Abruzzo, Lazio, Campania and Puglia.
It maintained its primacy during the reign of Charlemagne by dint of privileges and donations, but entered a period of crisis in 848 after an earthquake, followed in 882 by a sack by the Arabs.
Around the year 1000 the monastery was rebuilt on the other side of the river, in a more easily defended position. Today it is still rich in relics of the past and sacred works of art, while its original abandoned site is an archaeological dig.

Isernia and the tempting trails in medieval Molise

2009-11-04T14:19:00.000+01:00

Isernia is an ancient town which still bears the signs of medieval life, although little is left of its original medieval architecture after the numerous times the city was razed to the ground over the centuries and the damage done by the heavy bombing it suffered in 1943, during the air raids of the Second World War.
One of the few remaining traces is the Fontana della Fraterna (Fraternity fountain), dating back to the 13th-14th centuries, near the cathedral. In Romanesque style, it rests on a stone plinth, centrally decorated with dolphins and a floral motif. In the centre is a small loggia supported by richly decorated columns.
The church of San Francesco still conserves its original 13th-century Romanesque portal, although the rest of the building is largely the result of the 18th-century reconstruction. The interior houses a precious, 14th century, wooden statue of the Madonna della Provvidenza. The S. Maria delle Monache convent complex, which today does duty as the town library, houses an important heritage of manuscripts, documents and old books going back to the 14th century.
There are several places to visit around Isernia for those interested in medieval history. Fornelli has a medieval centre with a baronial castle, a fortified residence dating back to the 5th century with its living quarters protected by towers, walls and a sentry walkway. The ancient village that has clustered around the castle has always been under the protection of the powerful San Vincenzo al Volturno abbey.
A few kilometres away, at Cerro al Volturno, is an imposing castle built on an isolated rocky spur in a dominant position during the 15th century, with a village huddling in its shadow. The stronghold was built on the ruins of older fortifications going back to the Lombard conquest, in a virtually inaccessible position.

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Oasi Le Mortine between Molise and Campania

2009-11-02T14:17:00.000+01:00

Historically, the Volturno valley is the northern border of the Torcino and Mastrati Royal Hunting Reserve, owned by the Bourbons. This wild zone is inhabited by wolves and goats, and is an important part of the natural heritage. The Oasi Le Mortine lies on the brief stretch of river that forms the border between Molise and Campania. It occupies an artificial oxbow lake that was formed following the building of a barrage to create a reservoir to produce hydroelectric power.
Enel owns about 32 ha around the Presa Volturno power station, cre ated in the 1950s. The surrounding land has been entrusted, by Enel, to WWF Italia. This area, together with a 15 ha public island in the river and a small artificial lake, form a 50 ha protected area of great environmental interest. The various water environments are surrounded by hygrophilous plants – that is, plants that live on land but prefer perennially damp conditions, such as willows, poplars and alders.
This is one of the best conserved such woods in Italy, although the trees once covered about 100 ha (before indiscriminate felling changed things). This section, though, has been ‘intact’ for at least the last 50 years. In this area, between the Mainarde and Matese areas, the Volturno runs through a thick wood of water-loving vegetation.
Secondary branches of the river also cut through the trees, creating impenetrable islands with unique features. The river then widens as it nears the Enel dam, causing the water to flow more slowly and thus allowing reed-beds to form near shores of the reservoir. The vegetation that once surrounded the entire course of the river is still well preserved in this segment. You can see typical riparian plants, with some hydrophyte plants (adapted to growing in water) and helophyte ones (adapted to marshes), as well as vegetation that favours pebbly river banks, some scrubland and, especially, the hygrophilous wood.
The reed-bed of Phragmites australis and the reed-mace are found on the steep banks of the Enel reservoir and also on the small bits of land in the basin formed by the Volturno barrage. The ditches and channels that cut through the wood and the temporary pools of water that form and then disappear are home to semi-submerged vegetation: rushes, hooded matweed, nasturtiums and veronica. The willows dig their roots into the pebbly banks, creating islands of vegetation that fight erosion.
Common and purple osier and white willow predominate in the wetland wood along with the white poplar and common alder (in one part of the wood, the alder forms a lovely grove together with blood orange trees, hazel, common privet and hops). The outer, drier reaches have manna- ash, elm, field maple and common oaks.
The latter is a remnant of the old Piana di Venafro plain forest, where trees used to grow amid pools of water created by the branches of the river that formed a network of waterways, wells and springs. The lake and the wood are the ideal habitat for numerous water creatures, especially in winter and during the migratory seasons. Indeed, this area lies on various migratory routes. In spring, mallards and moorhens come to nest here, as do rails, coots and the great crested grebe with its ornate head plumes. Pochards, wigeons, teals, garganeys, tufted ducks and northern pintails come to spend the winter here, as do the grey heron (symbol of the protected area), purple heron, little egret, little bittern and black-winged stilt. The list of birds-of-prey includes the brown kite, buzzard, goshawk and shorteared owl.

The visit

The itinerary starts from the Visitors’ Centre with a video that explains some of the environmental characteristics of the Volturno valley. From this, you head onto the Energy and Nature Trail, which is easy to reach and not very difficult. The first stretch runs next to, on one side, a crystal-clear resurgence of the Volturno, and on the other, a shore of the Enel reservoir. A marked side trail takes you, if you wish, to a hide to watch the water creatures. This detour is recommended because of the splendid view encompassing the rugged riparian vegetation and the delightful backdrop of the Torcino mountains. The main trail then passes through a small clearing with an ‘educational pond’. After this, you head into a thick section of water-loving wood dominated by tall poplars and alders.
The undergrowth has creeper plants that wind up the trunks creating a thick web of vegetation. It is as if the glorious history of this zone is coming back – this was the Bourbons’ Royal Hunting Reserve of Venafro and Torcino – or has been left untouched by time.
If you head towards a branch of the Volturno, which winds its way through the thick bush, you come to the edge of the wood. From here, you can see the extraordinary view to the north, dominated by the wild Mainarde mountains, rising up to the cultivated fields of Piana di Venafro. This is the Molise section of the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise. To return to the start point, you need to head back into the wood through a section of wonderful old trees.
The environs Venafro is a town of pre-Roman origin with an interesting old centre. It is surrounded by old olive groves that spread out toward the upper Volturno valley, covering an area of great natural and landscape beauty that is dotted with fortified hamlets. Capriati a Volturno, a picturesque town on the slopes of Matese, is the entranceway to the Parco Regionale del Matese Campano and is near to various other WWF protected areas, such as the ones of Bosco San Silvestro, Guardiaregia- Campochiaro and the Oasi delle Abetine.

How to get there

The protected area is situated on the border between Campania and Molise, in the municipalities of Capriati al Volturno (CE) and Venafro (IS), not far from the Venafro- Isernia stretch of the SS85 road. Leave the motorway at the San Vittore exit (coming from the north) or Caianello (coming from the south), then continue for Venafro respectively on the SS6 or the SS85 road; near La Madonnella shopping Centre or near Triverno (if you are coming from Campobasso and Pescara) take the SP Piana di Venafro road and follow the signs for the Oasi Le Mortine

Visit

Le Mortine protected area has a well-equipped and well-indicated Nature Trail, a hide for watching the fauna, an educational pond, an orchard with traditional fruit trees, educational beehives and a picnic area. It is open throughout the year and visits can be organised with prior notice by contacting the Cooperativa Croco tel. 0865951009 or the WWF Isernia Section, tel.0865904613.

Useful addresses

Cooperativa Croco via Nazionale 70, Pizzone (IS) tel. 0865951009.
WWF di Isernia tel. 0865411955; visits of the protected area: tel. 0865904613.

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Adriatic coast in Puglia

2009-10-31T22:00:00.000+01:00

The Adriatic coast in the Brindisi area is a realm of Mediterranean scrubland and crystal clear water. It is also the setting for some important natural areas that cross into the Lecce province.
First, there are the Torre Guaceto and Cesine reserves, which have 20,000 different plant species, including 10 of the 25 varieties of oak. Indeed, these figures show that those reserves can truly be said to preserve the botanical heritage of the region. Halfway between these two reserves, a little to the south of Brindisi, lies a third area of environmental importance, the Cerano wood.
This, in turn, is close to another of the treasures in the area, although this time it is of a more historical and cultural nature: the Valesio (Torchiarolo) archaeological site.

Bosco di Cerano

The Cerano wood is relatively large and filled with a number of important types of tree. It lies in the Brindisi and San Pietro Vernotico municipalities. Since 2001, it has been protected as part of a special nature reserve that covers 1,158 ha of coastal forest dotted with Mediterranean scrubland and holm-oak groves. Once, trees covered this entire zone, pushing right up to the edge of the sea. However, over the centuries, human settlement led to the wood becoming ever smaller as farming became more important. After this, the farm land gave way to industrial settlements.

How to get there

Bosco di Cerano: take the SS613 Brindisi-Lecce road and at the junction near the Trullo farmstead, turn towards the coast.

Medieval Itineraries in Puglia

2009-10-29T22:17:00.000+01:00

Brindisi has traces of the presence of the Templars in the church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro (11C), built on the site of an early Christian church and known for its Templar knight portico, which today houses the Provincial Archaeology Museum.
Another important relic from the Middle Ages is the church of S. Benedetto, with its former monastery, founded in 1080. The church of S. Maria del Casale was built three centuries later in Romanesque-Gothic style, with its handsome façade in grey and pink sandstone.
Today the church is near the city airport, but in the past it would have been just outside the walls. Taking the road to Lecce south we come to Santa Maria di Cerrate, with its solitary abbey named in historical records as far back as 1113.
Its church is in pure Romanesque style with a totally plain façade, but there is also a splendid 13th-century portico on its lefthand side.

Traditional Pasta in Molise

2009-10-29T14:28:00.000+01:00

Nowadays the image people have of that Italian product par excellence, pasta, is of the industrial variety. Over the last century in fact many small, local producers have developed to such an extent that they have become industries exporting pasta all over the world. However there are still some small producers who make pasta in the traditional way for their faithful customers, once mainly locals, now joined by ranks of enthusiasts from further afield. In Molise this tradition is very much alive and there are a number of small pasta producers who still make pasta with their ancient bronze draw sheets in the time-honoured fashion. As well as the better-known shapes they also produce some traditional shapes which were in danger of being lost forever.