Palaces, churches and monuments are not only tourist attractions, bur real symbols of a place. Some of the major architectural landmarks of Italy are now the emblem of the city where they are located. Most tourists already know Milan Cathedral, the Grand Canal of Venice with its gondolas, the Leaning Tower in Pisa, Brunelleschi’s Dome in Florence, Rome’s Coliseum, Piazza Plebiscito in Naples, and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, even before visiting Italy, because these monuments are famous all over the world.
The symbols of Italian cities are the protagonists of all best postcards and pictures taken by tourists. Majestic monuments, churches with beautiful domes and squares embellished with grandiose fountains have become true emblems of the cities to which they belong. There is no traveller in the world who has never heard of the Coliseum in Rome, the Grand Canal in Venice or Ponte Vecchio in Florence.
From North to South, Italy offers many places to be discovered, not just captured in a picture.
While strolling through the the streets of Milan city centre, you will have the chance to admire the spires and pinnacles of the majestic Cathedral and rest in the shade of the gold plated copper statue of the Virgin Mary who, with her benevolent look, protects the capital of Lombardy. You can also visit the Castello Sforzesco after crossing the main entrance located within Filarete Tower. If you love opera, do not miss the performances offered by the Teatro alla Scala, which has just been restored.
In Turin, lovers of the seventh art can visit the Mole Antonelliana, which houses the National Museum of Cinema. Another representative place of the city of Piedmont is the Egyptian Museum, second only to that of Cairo. The Egyptian Museum, the second largest museum of its kind after the museum of Cairo, is undoubtedly another place you should not miss.
If you love romance, just take a gondola tour of the Grand Canal, crossing the canals until you reach the Ducal Palace in Venetian Gothic style and the famous Bridge of Sighs, which takes its name from the sighs of prisoners who were taken to the prisons.
Verona is the city that inspired Shakeaspere’s masterpiece, “Romeo and Juliet” and here you can see the famous balcony of Juliet’s house in via Cappello. Do not forget to take a picture in the courtyard, next to Juliet’s statue: according to legend, resting one hand on the right breast of the heroine is good luck. Among the symbols of the city there is also the famous Arena, a Roman amphitheatre still hosting many shows and events.
Bologna is also known as the “city of towers”. Among the most important there are the Asinelli and the Garisenda.
In Pisa, from the top of the Leaning Tower, you can admire the Baptistery, known for its incredible acoustics where the echo sounds like an organ, and the local Romanesque style Cathedral.
In the historic centre of Florence, choose a room with views of Brunelleschi’s Dome, while, if you love shopping, Ponte offers the best Italian jewellery.
The symbol of the eternal city and Italy is undoubtedly the Coliseum, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1980. But Rome hides beautiful treasures in every street corner. If you are a dreamer, just throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and make a wish. Your dreams come true along the shopping streets of Via Condotti, Via Borgognona and Via Frattina, known throughout the world for their exclusive boutiques.
In Naples, if you want, you can visit the halls of the Maschio Angioino, after crossing the marble triumphal arch placed between Torri di Mezzo and Torri di Guardia.
The whole world knows the tragic story of Pompeii and Herculaneum, buried under layers of ash and lapilli during the eruption of AD 79. Here you can walk on the same trails once used by the ancient Romans.
In Sicily you can visit the Cathedral of Palermo, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption, and the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento which, with its 1,300 hectares, can claim the title of the largest archaeological park in the world. Among the best known symbols of this region there are also Mount Etna, the Teatro Antico in Taormina and San Vito Lo Capo and Mondello beaches.
