Native call ...

Exactly so, the lure of our origins is a feeling that occasionally feel a bit 'all. Return means remembering, and discover unique places of our beautiful Italy. A historical and artistic wealth that we often underestimate.

I refer, in this case, Two Friuli city that has long wanted to visit: Aquileia and Palmanova.

If Aquileia captivates with its precious and ancient mosaics present the entire floor of its Basilica, Palmanova strikes the perfect star shape. The first archaeological site of the most important of the north of Italy, the second fortified city. Recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, They are located a short distance from each other. A must for those who like me feel the call of their origins, but especially, for history buffs and typicality of the territory. One, because after trying my beautiful route, I recommend the sweet taste of a traditional Friulian: il Presnitz.

Aquileia

Did you happen to stay out of breath before a work of art? To me the last time it happened at the Basilica of Aquileia. The floor of his views, the largest early Christian mosaics in the western world, He has captivated my eye (photo in the header). I would be 760 square meters dating back to the fourth century unearthed by archaeologists between 1909 and the 1912. A human being's magnificence that can be seen walking on long elevated glass walkways.

Palmanova

They have come to Palmanova (Palma in Friulian) in a rainy day. Despite this, the air that I breathed immediately was full of historical references and suggestions. A city-fortress-shaped geometrically perfect star. Nine bastions, seven kilometers thick walls and six linear roads, radiating from the central square hexagon: Piazza Grande. A military architecture founded in 1593 Venetians to defend the borders of the Serenissima from the Turks. Only in 1866, after the Habsburg rule, it became part of the Kingdom of Italy. Walking through its streets, It was not difficult to perceive the calls of an important past, in that 1960, He led the president to proclaim “National Monument”.

Il Presnitz

And once again… country go find tradition. Just to say that once completed my itinerary, I was given a taste break in a typical pastry of the area. That's how I discovered a sweet Friulian – in particular Trieste – that prepares all year: il Presnitz. A roll of puff pastry snail-shaped with inside nuts, hazelnuts, Pine nuts, raisin, rum, honey and various spices. In realtà, I had the impression that the pastry chef who told me his story did not reveal to me all the ingredients… And to, every shop has its malice!

aquileia.net         www.palmanova.it

Siena opens its heart to you… "Siena opens up a bigger heart ' (the door you're going through).

An inscription on the arch outside this ancient Porta Camollia, which gives a sense of welcome to this historic city among the most beautiful in Italy, It offers to those lucky enough to visit. A place to live with the right timing, that allowed me to understand how much wealth of art can focus a city. A knowledge to do a walk in the alleys of the old town – UNESCO heritage – enjoying the beauty of the buildings and craft shops, until you get in her heart-shaped shell: the beautiful Piazza del Campo.

Sit on the floor to admire it is almost a rite, which facilitates the view and that allows you to enjoy its magnificence 360 degrees.

Piazza del Campo

Walking through Siena

Assumption Cathedral

Assumption Cathedral – Interior

Piccolomini Library

Siena, an ensemble of masterpieces!

I visited walking on foot between his seventeen contrade. historical reality that the 1729 trace a territory and represent a community based on voluntary, with an identity and traditions that unlike elsewhere does not fade, rather, over the years are strengthened. Seventeen democratic, independent institutions with statutes, baptisms and lay with its own church, whose highest representative is the Prior. Around him, supporting, many other charges including the Vicar (Deputy Priore), Chancellor (secretary), the Camerlengo (treasurer), the Rocker (accountant), l’Economo (curator of the heritage), the Archivist (guardian historic), the Corrector (spiritual head of Contrada), and… In short, very serious organization based on solidarity and passion, I knew by listening to tales of the Contrada that guided me to visit the 'Museum Contrada della Civetta'.

Museum Contrada della Civetta

In this regard carry a thought of the great Federico Fellini.

"You have this precious thing in Siena, and it is remarkable how in the Contradas conflict there is your union. The whole world falls apart and you are here with the vividness of these rites and the loyalty of centuries. I think it is the only example in Italy. There is a kind of mysterious cord between you and the people of Siena from all eras. It's nice, very beautiful!”

I will not dwell on the Palio, a race of conduct horses jockeys mercenaries, it's just to centuries-old tradition, warms the atmosphere every year to the point of creating excesses and sometimes accidents, for all beings involved, humans and animals.

Museum Contrada della Civetta

Museum Contrada della Civetta

Museum Contrada della Civetta

Siena, a masterpiece after another ... This time I mean the Ribollita. A typical dish that can be sampled in one of the many historic taverns of the city. A peasant soup made from cabbage, black cabbage, beans, potatoes, tomatoes ... to cook on low fire and to enjoy with stale bread. The whole, obviously, accompanied by a good local red wine glass. One of my Sienese gourmet breaks, which it ended with the taste of a great Moscadello di Montalcino late harvest, and a 'gem liqueur' that I recommend: l 'Elisir di Santa Caterina. An herbal liqueur produced following the dictates of an old recipe of mysterious origins. For some, its production started in the past in a distillery in a convent in Siena, Today continues to care Distillery Deta Barberino Val d'Elsa.  

Ribollita

Moscadello di Montalcino

Elisir di Santa Caterina

Siena, a city full of legends, Art and history, which again I led me to think about how beautiful Italy!

She looks at Siena,
I always look
from its remote offshore
or that of memory –
as a castaway? –
come deserter?
He gives me meeting
the race
of the hills,
He unleashes the wind in the chest,
intersects with the time –
my sore
that rushes to the sides
from deep childhood
and that of my dead
and the other of all newly
memorable existence ...
We still are
I and she, she and I
just, deserts.
For a more extreme love? Some.

Mario Luzi

Piazza del Campo in the evening

Terre di Siena  www.terredisiena.it