The most famous landmarks in the world. Places where every cultural person dreams of visiting
“Well, here we are. Well, let's take a dip. Well, let's have a cocktail. So, what is next? What do we do?" Familiar? If yes - congratulations, you belong to the same type of people who can not sit still. Well, if, besides, limp reclining in sun loungers inspires you as little as strong-willed surfing, then you are completely one of their small, but elite class of aesthetes, greedy for art and architecture.
Admit it, you simply cannot look at Dali's creations without trembling in your knees, the Acropolis brings you into a state close to prayerful ecstasy, and the streets of old Prague almost drive you crazy. Congratulations, you are an "excursion-oriented, ordinary tourist."
The whole point of excursion tourism lies in the fact that it quietly coexists with beach holiday, and with skiing, as, indeed, with any other. One does not exclude the other, rather, it complements.
However, there are also entire tours dedicated to sightseeing of cities and capitals, antiquities and natural wonders of all five continents. Such trips are usually chosen by individuals who are married to art or simply greedy for it in a good way, and people who want to see the world on vacation, and not just a couple of paradise, but completely identical atolls.
But in order to be as honest with yourself as possible, it is still necessary to say that a “naked” excursion will not give you much pleasure - only a messy cocktail of porticoes and rotundas, dozens of museum halls and thousand-year-old ruins will remain in your head.
When choosing a program, do not chase the number of attractions - in the end, go on a trip again. Choose a moderate pace - richly sprinkle excursions with rest, and get the most vivid and fresh impressions.
Leisure destinations
Classic: Europe. The main impact of the excursion element usually falls on Mother Europe with its Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and other ancient medieval joys. Tours in Europe, which, as you know, are not so great, often cover more than one country. Sometimes tours include visiting world-famous attractions - such as, for example, Versailles in France, the Colosseum in Italy, the Acropolis in Greece. Sometimes there are excursions exclusively to little-known places, sometimes highly specialized tours are organized, for example, in baroque architecture or in temple construction.
ancient civilizations. The second number in the popularity rating are countries that grew up on the ruins of ancient civilizations - Egypt, India, China, Chile, Peru, Mexico. Obviously, such tours take second place not in terms of tourist interest, but in terms of remoteness, expressed not so much in geographical terms as in terms of money. Ancient civilizations that have monuments that take us not even centuries, but millennia, are surprisingly mysterious and therefore alluring. The further into the dust of time - the more secrets, to which, as you know, no one can remain indifferent.
Exotics and ecology. Ancient civilizations are followed by countries with exotic landscapes and landscapes - the Australian Great Barrier Reef, the lakes of the USA, the waterfalls of Nigeria, the fantastic nature of the Galapagos. All this is really unusual. Amazing. Almost unrealistic.
Way of life. Next come countries with an unusual way of life - that is, any place on the planet whose existence is different from our multi-story panel existence. Tunisian Berbers living in caves, Arab countries with their unconditional and bewitching adherence to the laws of the Koran, Japanese culture and the culture of the American Indians. For a civilized person, which, obviously, is the whole excursion-amateur tribe, such differences cause only admiration - at least from an understanding of how diverse the life of people on this planet can be.
Excursion Russia. Well, native Russia closes the top five directions-leaders. The expanses of our country are huge: 9 climatic zones and the same number of time zones, mountain ranges, hills, full-flowing rivers, dozens and hundreds of natural wonders - Avacha Bay, Kungurskaya ice cave, Krasnoyarsk pillars, Uzon caldera... it would be impossible to list them all. And then, there is also the magnificent architecture of our cities - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, the luxury of folk crafts - Suzdal, Semenov, Gus-Khrustalny. Russia is inexhaustible, great and magnificent, besides, in comparison with all of the above, it is quite budgetary.
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Places where every cultured person dreams of visiting.
Experts from the world's largest travel site TripAdvisor have compiled a rating of 25 cultural sites that have been most highly rated by tourists from around the globe.
In general, if you have not yet decided on your vacation plans, in this review website you can find some great ideas. For the next 25 vacations.
1. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu, recognized as one of the New Wonders of the World, is located on the territory of modern Peru, on the top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is called "the city in the sky" or "the city among the clouds", sometimes called " lost city the Incas." Some archaeologists believe that this city was created as a sacred mountain retreat by the great Inca ruler Pachacutec around 1440, and functioned until 1532, when the Spaniards invaded the territory of the Inca empire. In 1532, all its inhabitants mysteriously disappeared.
2. Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sheikh Zayed Mosque is one of the six most great mosques in the world. Named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, founder and first president of the United United Arab Emirates. Unlike many other Muslim temples, everyone is allowed into it, regardless of faith.
3. Taj Mahal, Agra, India
The Taj Mahal mausoleum is one of the most recognizable landmarks not only in India but throughout the world. The construction was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during childbirth. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and also a symbol of eternal love.
4. Mesquita, Cordoba, Spain
Walls decorated with intricate patterns, mosaic ornaments, hundreds of thin openwork columns - this is how the Cathedral Mosque of Cordoba appears today. Many centuries ago, there was an ancient Roman temple on this site, then it was replaced by the Visigothic church, and in 785 Mesquita appeared. It became the second most important mosque on the planet, and the pilgrimage to Cordoba was even equated with the hajj to Mecca, which is obligatory for every Muslim. But then the Catholics replaced the Moors, and Mezquita was turned into a Christian church.
5. St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Italy
The heart of the Vatican and the entire Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the main attractions of Rome. Here you can see ancient Rome from a bird's eye view, admire the interior of the cathedral from the top of the dome, defend the mass and even receive the blessing of the pontiff.
6. Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat is the largest religious building ever built, with a history of almost 9 centuries. Even its name speaks about the monumentality of the temple complex, because Angkor Wat literally translates as Temple City. It covers an area of 200 hectares and is surrounded by a moat 190 meters wide. This colossal building is dedicated to the god Vishnu, revered in this area.
7. Bayon Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bayon is one of the most amazing temples located on the territory of Angkor Thom and was its religious center. The "highlight" of Bayon is the towers with many faces carved from stone, silently looking from a height on the vast territory of Angkor Thom, and in the heyday of the state - on the entire Khmer Empire. Initially, there were 54 towers, which symbolized the 54 provinces under the rule of the king. Today, only about 37 towers have survived.
8. Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ on Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, better known as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, has become the only Russian attraction on Trip Advisor's list. Spas-on-Blood attracts tourists from all over the world not only with the magnificence of its domes and interiors, but also unusual story which gave rise to many legends and conjectures. Many of them are related to the fact that the temple was erected on the spot where on March 1, 1881, I. Grinevitsky, a Narodnaya Volya member, mortally wounded Alexander II, who was popularly called the Tsar Liberator for the abolition of serfdom.
9. Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
10. Walls of the old city, Dubrovnik, Croatia
In 1979, UNESCO contributed Old city Dubrovnik to list world heritage, including a significant part of the ancient walls of the city. They surround the city on all four sides and contain a venerable collection of historical monuments, including towers, fortresses, churches, monasteries, squares and streets, schools, museums and galleries. These defensive stone walls have protected their citizens since the founding of Dubrovnik in the 6th century.
11. Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar
The Shwedagon Pagoda is the highest spiritual building in Myanmar, or, as it is also called, the Land of Pagodas. The entire complex of the giant pagoda occupies more than five hectares of land, on which, in addition to the main structure, there are many smaller spiers and countless sculptural images of mythical and real animals : golden griffins and elephants, dragons and lions. Such as it is today, the Shwedagon Pagoda became in the 15th century, during the reign of Queen Shinsobu. It was then that the giant temple was finally given the shape of an inverted begging bowl and sheathed with gold from top to bottom.
12. Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool, Washington DC
The Lincoln Memorial is a majestic temple, made in the ancient Greek style and somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon. It is supported by 36 white marble columns, representing the number of states that belonged to the United States at the time of President Lincoln's death. In the center of the temple is a statue of the world's most respected American president, seated in an armchair. Its height is 5.79 meters.
13. Ancient City of Petra, Petra / Wadi Musa, Jordan
In the heart of Jordan, in the valley of Wadi Musa, deep in the sandy mountains, is the amazing city of ancient Petra. Initially, Petra was a temporary home for the nomadic tribes of the Nabataeans. From several fortified rocky caves, it gradually grew into a large fortress city. There is only one way to get to the city - through the narrow gorge of the Siq, which was once the bed of a mountain stream. Petra still belongs to the Bedouins, who welcome guests to their land.
14. Section of the Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing, China
In no other section of the Great Wall of China has restoration work been carried out as well as in the Mutianyu section. This site, with 22 watchtowers that have retained their original appearance, is a real architectural masterpiece. The phrase Mutianyu is translated from Chinese as "a valley in which you can admire the views of the fields." Among all sections of the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu is the longest fully restored section open to tourists.
15. Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk, Turkey
The largest and best preserved ancient city on the shores of the Aegean Sea and the second largest after Pompeii in the Mediterranean, ancient Ephesus is the most visited attraction in Turkey. Legends connect the appearance of the city with the name of Androclus, the son of the ruler of Athens Codras, who, on the advice of the oracle, arrived in these places to lay the temple of Artemis. The city got its name from the Amazon Ephesia, beloved of Androclus.
16. Alhambra, Spain
Alhambra (Arabic Al Hamra - literally "Red Castle") is ancient palace and the fortress of the Moorish rulers of the province of Granada in southern Spain. The castle occupies the top of a rocky plateau on the southeastern border of Granada. The name Alhambra probably comes from the color of the sun-dried clay or bricks from which the castle walls are made. However, some historians suggest that the name comes from the "red flame of torches" that illuminated the long-term construction of the castle, which went on around the clock.
17. Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia
The Australian War Memorial is the main memorial dedicated to the memory of soldiers who died during the First and Second World Wars. Today it is considered one of the most significant monuments of its kind in the world. The memorial is located near the Parliament building, from the balcony of which a panoramic view of the monument opens.
18. Siena Cathedral, Siena, Italy
According to the annals, at the beginning of the 13th century, the inhabitants of the city-state of Siena, which acted as the main rival and opponent of Florence, "called on their leaders to build a temple more magnificent than their neighbors." So between 1215 and 1263, the Duomo of Siena was founded on the site of the old temple according to the plan of the Gothic master Niccolò Pisano. Today this majestic temple is the main attraction of the city.
19. Milan Cathedral (Duomo), Milan, Italy
The most important place in Milan is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Nashente (Duomo), the pearl of Italian Gothic, which was built from 1386 to the beginning of the 19th century. The third largest Catholic church on the planet can safely be considered one of the wonders of the world. Its hundred-meter spiers rise above the center of Milan, and the golden statue of the Madonna on the longest spire (four meters high) is visible from many parts of the city.
20. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain
The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is one of the most famous long-term construction projects in the world: its construction began almost 150 years ago and continues to this day. Although initially Antonio Gaudi had nothing to do with the construction of this temple, a year after the start of work, he led this project. Gaudí built the temple for 30 years until he died. The reason for such a long construction is that the Sagrada Familia is built solely on donations from parishioners.
25. Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia
Sydney Opera theatre- one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Its architect was the Dane Jorn Utzon. Having designed the original roofs, somewhat reminiscent of shells, he made Sydney a magnificent gift - a symbol of the city. Today, every tourist, planning to visit Australia, must include an excursion to the majestic opera house in the program of his trip.
Pyramids at Giza are the oldest and largest pyramids in the world, but the main thing is that the pyramid of Cheops, the only one of the Seven Wonders ancient world come down to our days. And without a doubt, the Giza pyramids deservedly take first place in the Top 10 attractions in the world.
These pyramids were built inas tombs for ancient Egyptian kings, uhty royal tombs reflect power and wealth ancient civilization Egypt.
More popular than any other landmark in the world, the Great Pyramids of Giza are located on the west side of the Nile, near the capital of Egypt, Cairo. ATThe Great Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest, it was built as a tomb for the ancient Egyptian king Khufu (Cheops).It has a height of 137 meters, which means the pyramid of Cheops was the tallest building on Earth for several millennia, until the towers of the Cologne Cathedral were completed in 1880, and consists of2,300,000 blocks, some weighing up to 200 tons.
The second pyramid at Giza was built for Khafre, the son of King Khufu.It was erected in 2592 BC, tThe third pyramid at Giza was built for Menkaur, son of King Khafre.
2. Great Wall of China, China
The most popular attraction in China, one of the seven wonders of the world of our time.It is the longest man-made structure in the world, stretching for as much as 6,300 kilometers.The construction of the first part of the Great Wall began under Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the 7th century, other parts of the wall were added by the following emperors of China at a later time.
Stones, bricks, rammed earth and wood were used to build the Great Wall.Over 1 million people lost their lives during its construction and it has become the longest cemetery in the world. It is visited by more than 8 million people a year.
3. Statue of Liberty, New York, USA
The Statue of Liberty is recognized as the main attraction of the United States, it is a symbol of Liberty, why millions of migrants from Europe aspired to the country of great opportunities. A colossal sculpture located 3 kilometers from Manhattan in New York.The statue actually represents the Roman goddess of Liberty, a gift from the people of France to the United States.
It was designed by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and is a gift from the United States for the World's Fair on October 28, 1876. OAbout 4 million tourists visit the Statue of Liberty every year. The height of this amazing sculpture is 93 meters, from the ground to the tips of the torch.
4. Taj Mahal, India
The most popular historical monument India, located in the city of Agra.It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. In the architecture of the building, the features of styles are tracedMughal, Islamic, Persian, Ottoman and Indian.It took 17 years for the construction of the Taj Mahal, and the first stone was laid in 1632. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, millions of tourists visit it every year.
5. Eiffel Tower, Paris
This is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, located in the capital of France, Paris. It was named after Gustave Eiffel, the engineer in charge of designing and building it. The tower is over 300 meters high and weighs over 10,000 tons and was completed in 1889. for him; s construction. At 324 meters, the tower weighs 10,100 tons and was opened in 1889. For the next 41 years, it remained the most tall building in the world.
6. Colosseum, Rome
This is the largest amphitheater in the world during the Roman Empire.It is also the most popular tourist and iconic symbol of Rome. Coliseumwas built in 70 AD. emperor Vespasian.It was used for gladiator fights and social events.Gladiator fights took place in the Colosseum before 435 AD.It can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators and has 80 entrances.
7. Big Ben, England
The vast majority of tourists clearly associate Big Ben with England and is rightfully considered the country's main tourist attraction. Few people know that in fact Big Ben is not a separate attraction, but part of Palace of Westminster in London. Big Ben has the world's largest chimes and is the third tallest clock tower in the world. It is named after Benjamin Hall, one of the architects of this clock tower, which was built between 1848 and 1853.
8. Stonehenge, England
One of the most popular places in the world, located in Salisbury England.This prehistoric monument consists of standing stones and a large number of mounds.Archaeologists estimate that Stonehenge was built between 3000 and 2000 BC.
9. Golden Gate, USA
The most recognizable landmark in California, the Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge that connects San Francisco to the rest of Northern California. Its length is almost 3 kilometers, and the height of the supports is 227 meters, itwas opened in 1937 and for the next 27 years remained the longest suspension bridge in the world. Considered one of the most photographed landmarks in the United States.
10. Sydney Opera House, Australia
The Sydney Opera House is the most recognizable landmark and symbol of Australia, located on the banks of Sydney Harbour. This theater hosts more than 1,500 productions every year, it is consideredone of the busiest art centers in the world. Calculated that over 7 million people visit this amazing Sydney tourist attraction.
Photo: 500px.com by Peter BABILOTTE
Even the most avid traveler will always be able to find unexplored places, countries and cultures, because our planet is so diverse. Rice terraces, waterfalls and clear ponds - we have collected for you 30 sights that everyone should see at least once!
Pamukkale, Turkey
A natural site in the Turkish province of Denizli is 17 geothermal springs that look extraordinary! The dazzling white terraces are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. And besides, they are open for swimming.
Photo: hermosatoursturkey.com
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Rice terraces, China
The most famous rice terraces China's Longji Rice Terraces are called "Dragon Ridge" due to their unusual shape. They are located near the Guilin district and rise above the sea by 300-1100 meters. This place gets its most spectacular view in the spring, when the blue sky and the sun are reflected in the water.
Photo: mybirdie.ca 3 Temples of Bagan, Myanmar
Ancient city Bagan in the state of Myanmar today is an archaeological area with pagodas, temples and monasteries. The most famous and beautiful of them are the Buddhist temple of Damyanji and Ananda. Seeing this once old City you will remember it forever.
Photo: hotels-myanmar.com 4 Monasteries of Meteora, Greece
The largest complex of monasteries in Greece impresses primarily with its location: it is located on the tops of cliffs reaching a height of 600 meters. The monasteries are a unique attraction, because they were built in 950-970, when there were no roads, no equipment, and all materials were lifted onto the rocks by hand.
Photo: lovethesepics.com Uyuni Salt Flat, Bolivia
A dry lake in the south of the Altiplano desert plain is the largest salt marsh in the world. The mirror surface of Uyuni reflects the clouds, which creates an incredible sight!
Photo: hofmag.com 6 Hitachi National Park, Japan
In the park of the Japanese city of Hitachinaka, you can admire the beauty of nature at any time of the year, because there are plants that bloom every season.
Photo: yokotatravel.com 7 Ad Deir and Al Khazneh, Jordan
Temples in the city of Petra in Jordan are unique sights. Back in the 1st century AD. they were completely carved out of the rocks.
Photo: owegoo.com 8 Machu Picchu, Peru
"City among the clouds" is considered one of the most mysterious sights in the world, located on top of a mountain range at an altitude of 2450 meters above sea level. It is believed that the city was created as a sacred mountain shelter by the Inca ruler Pachacutec. 1200 people lived in it, and all of them mysteriously disappeared from the city in the middle of the 16th century.
Photo: julianrestaurant.com
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Cave in Algarve, Portugal
Situated on a beach in the Portuguese region of Algarve, this cave creates an amazing view with its perforated vault. Especially when the rays of the sun pass through them.
Photo: 500px.com by IURII BURIAK
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Lencois Maranhensis National Park in Brazil
national park in the Brazilian state of Maranhao is known for its sand dunes. It takes on a particularly charming look during the rainy season, when lagoons form between the dunes.
Photo: aheadcomunicazione.it
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Moraine Lake, Canada
Glacial Lake is located in Banff National Park at an altitude of 1885 meters. It is completely filled only from the middle to the end of June, being fed by a glacier. At this time, the rocky bottom of the lake creates an amazing reflection on the surface.
Photo: wallpaperfolder.com 12 Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
The Vietnamese province of Quang Binh is home to the most big cave in the world - Shondong. It is assumed that its total volume is 38.5 million square meters. There is a river flowing in the cave, and there are also grass and trees.
Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn 13 Tulip fields, Netherlands
Flower fields in the Netherlands occupy vast territories, which is why they look so fabulous. The largest number of tulips bloom from early April to mid-May - it is at this time that you can see an incredible riot of colors!
Photo: kartunlucu.com 14 Mount Roraima, South America
Table Mountain Roraima is located at the junction of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana. Its main feature is that a large cloud constantly hovers over the mountain.
Photo: feel-planet.com 15 Cave of Crystals, Mexico
At a depth of 300 meters under the city of Naica in Mexico is a cave of crystals. The largest crystal found here reached a height of 11 meters and had a width of 4 meters. You can stay inside the cave for no longer than 20 minutes, since the temperature in it can rise to 60 degrees.
Photo: tourism-spot.com 16 Colored rocks of Zhangye Danxia, China
AT Chinese province Gansu is located Zhangye Danxia National Geopark, the main attraction of which is colored rocks. Formed by deposits of sandstone and other minerals, they reach a height of several hundred meters.
Photo: travelwithkally.blogspot.com
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Sea of stars, Maldives
Thanks to the bioluminescence of millions of living organisms, beaches on Maldivian island Vaadu seems to be covered with stars. The sight is simply incredible!
Photo: thousandwonders.net 18 Antelope Canyon, USA
Located in northern Arizona, this canyon gets its name from its incredible antelope-like coloration. A special magic to this place is added by sunlight breaking through the rocks.
Photo: planetden.com 19 Fingal's Cave, UK
The rock-cut cave is located on the Scottish island of Staffa. Its walls are vertical basalt columns up to 20 meters high. For boats, the entrance to the cave is too narrow, so you can get into it only on foot along the edge above the water.
Photo: ml.southlive.in 20 Bamboo forest, Japan
Amazing beauty The Sagano Bamboo Forest is a natural landmark located near Kyoto. It is a picturesque alley of tall trees that look very impressive.
Photo: bonappetour.com 21 Spotted Lake, Canada
The Spotted Lake body of water near the town of Osoyoos is also called Kliuk. Its water is saturated with various minerals and has the highest concentration of magnesium sulfate in the world. Due to this, in the summer, during evaporation, spots of various shapes and colors form on the surface of the lake.
Photo: ppcorn.com 22 Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
One of the most famous tourist sites in Argentina is the Perito Moreno Glacier, located in Los Glaciares National Park. It has an area of 250 square kilometers.
Photo: en.wikipedia.org 23 Iguazu Falls, South America
The complex of 270 waterfalls is located on the border of Brazil and Argentina and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are the most visited attraction South America with up to 2 million visitors annually.
Photo: tedytravel.com 24 Giants Road, Northern Ireland
An amazing attraction was formed as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption near Bushmills in Northern Ireland.
Photo: iexplore.com 25 Flathead Lake, USA
The largest lake in the United States is located west of the Mississippi River and is known for its incredibly clear water. Despite the fact that at first glance it seems shallow, in some places the depth of Flathead Lake reaches 113 meters.
Photo: tumblr.com 26 Pongour Falls, Vietnam
The waterfall in the vicinity of the city of Dalat reaches a height of 40 meters and has a width of 100 meters. It is considered one of the main attractions of Vietnam - and no wonder, because its beauty is amazing!
Photo: reddit.com 27 Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The world's largest coral reef stretches for 2.5 thousand kilometers along the northeast coast of Australia. It is the largest in the world natural object formed from living organisms. Moreover, it can be seen from space.
Photo: alterra.cc Guijiang River, China
The river in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is one of the most scenic in China. Clear water and the surrounding nature create a simply amazing atmosphere!
Photo: toonts.com 29 Monolith Devils Tower, USA
natural monument The Devil's Tower is located in Wyoming and is a monolith of volcanic origin 386 meters high. It is believed that its age is from 195 to 225 million years.
Photo: npca.org 30 Troll tongue, Norway
A stone ledge on the Skjeggedal rock, near the Norwegian city of Odda, has a similar name due to its unusual shape: it looks like a big tongue. But in fact, this is a fallen piece of rock, horizontally frozen on its edge.
Photo: earthtrekkers.com Together with MARTINI, an expert on Italian lifestyle, we continue to expand the list of architectural, cultural and culinary attractions that will allow you to truly immerse yourself in the history and customs of Italy. we have explored the rich and diverse north, and now we are going to Central Italy - home Italian, cuisine and throughout the Renaissance. Here the popular Tuscany and Umbria adjoin the Marche, which the Italians themselves especially like to choose for their holidays and have not yet had time to scout out crowds of tourists. There are so many attractions in these areas that we will consider the eternal Rome in a separate issue.
Umbria
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Etruscan Orvieto
The Etruscans are an ancient tribe that mastered the Italian land even before Rome became great. It was from them that the Romans adopted engineering achievements and many customs. Orvieto - presumably one of the cities of the Etruscan twelve-city. An ancient aqueduct has been preserved here, and the city, built (as opposed to pink Assisi) from black volcanic rocks, reflects the harsh character of its creators. It is located on a hill and surrounded by greenery.
Priori Palace stairs
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Perugian sweets
The cuisine of Central Italy is usually described as unpretentious, but in Perugde you definitely cannot do without sweets. Perugia's own chocolate factory provides chocolate to a significant part of Italy, and holds a chocolate festival in the fall. Be sure to try the famous Perugian pignocatte - cakes with caramelized pine cone nuts. In the oldest pastry shop in the city, Sandri dal 1860, order a rum-baba (you haven’t tried such ones yet). On the day of the patron saint of the city of San Constanzo (January 29), everyone is treated to the Torcolo di San Costanzo pie, popular in Umbria, with candied fruits and nuts. And for St. Valentine's Day, here you can prepare the famous sweets "Bacio" (in translation - "kiss"). Famous, along with Perugia itself, they were made by the creator - fashion designer Luisa Spagnoli, originally from here.
Tuscany
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Palio racing temperament
In the typical Tuscan landscapes of Siena - medieval walls, hills and a sea of greenery around - twice a year temperamental Italian races on bare horses are held. Since the 17th century, on July 2 and August 16, 17 local contrades (as the districts of the city are called) put up for competition one horse with a rider. The race itself at Piazza del Campo lasts only a minute and a half, but around it a whole feast unfolds, dedicated to the unbridled thirst for victory and speed. Palio attracts in already tourist town crowds of onlookers. To move from being a tourist to being a connoisseur, bet on any of the horses and experience this holiday the way the Italians feel it.
Chianti
Tuscany is famous for its dry red wine Chianti, which is made from Sangiovese grapes. The municipality of Castellina in Chianti is a great place to try this wine. The fact is that it is located in the heart of the Chianti zone, Chianti Classico, where wine is made in compliance with ancient traditions. Wine is served in pot-bellied squat bottles, braided with a vine. And the classic Chianti according to the traditional recipe will cost here less than all kinds of modifications that are made to please tourists who are “too tart”.
Sea jokes of Pisa
The leaning Leaning Tower of Pisa is a consequence of the complex relationship of the city with the sea, which, on the one hand, made Pisa a powerful economic center, and on the other hand, either heated the city or retreated. It is precisely because of the eroded ground that there are several falling towers in the city: look for the tower of the Church of St. Nicholas (San Nicola) on the narrow street of Via Santa Maria (it is winding, not because the Pisans love it so much, but because it used to be a river) and San Michele degli Scalzi in the pine park Piagge (le Piagge). The Pisans themselves come to this park to relax with their children. Come and see another joke of the sea over the city - Basilica San Piero a Grado, whose facade, in the truest sense of the word, was and swam away along with the next departure of the sea from Pisa.
All Tuscan wine
A wine academy, a multimedia museum of wine, a culinary school, and a campus for students will appear in the fall - all this is organized for those who want to study the process of making Tuscan wines in World Wine Town. In the commune of Castagneto Carducci, you can not only get acquainted and taste, but also learn how to make Tuscan wine.
Skyscrapers of the Middle Ages
Street Renaissance of the 21st century
The love of Florentines for art in the 21st century was embodied in street art, which is sometimes even called the new Florentine Renaissance. You won’t have to stand in lines for it, but you will have a chance to wander around the city, for example, in the San Niccolò area. The prize will be the ironic series of reproductions L'Arte sa nuotare (Art can swim) - classic portraits of Renaissance figures in diving masks performed by the anonymous artist Blub, or the work of the Finestra con Vista #fcvfirenze project - the authors restore life to the windows that the owners of the houses laid for uselessness. After wandering around the city a little longer, you can pick up a couple dozen funny road signs. This is not a sense of humor of the city authorities, this is an art project of the famous French Florentine Clet. For each sign of power, fines are sent to him, he pays them and continues his partisan activity. On the empty walls of the houses, the little men from the Exit/Enter art project are busy with their little affairs, and a kiss from Urban Solid flies from the concrete frame of Florence. Arm yourself with the internet and google the hashtags you see on the walls, they will serve as the best guide.
Italian Basics from Dante
The modern Italian language owes its origin to the Tuscan dialect, and its literary design to the famous native of Florence, Dante Alighieri. Shortly before the Divine Comedy (in 1306), Dante wrote the scientific work On Popular Eloquence. This work was the first full-fledged study of the Romance languages in Europe and the first step in the formation of the classical literary Italian language. Listen to the conversations as you walk from the house where Dante was born, past his statue in Piazza Santa Croce and the church of Santa Margherita de "Cerchi, where he, according to legend, met his Beatrice.
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Home of Italian cuisine
Tuscany is considered to be unpretentious in food, but it was here that almost everything (except pizza and pasta) that is considered Italian cuisine was invented. Traditional peasant "Ribollita" and "Pappa al pomodoro" cannot be called skillful dishes. They are based on yesterday's bread and literally everything that is still lying around. For "Ribollita" (it is more often served in winter), they use beans, black cabbage, zucchini, carrots, potatoes and onions, for "Pappa al pomodoro" - tomatoes, garlic, onions, basil, peppers and olive oil. Chianti goes well with this simple snack, and the feeling of satiety will last for a long time.
With higher cuisine first in XIV-XV centuries began to experiment cooks who were in the service of the Medici. Since the receptions of the influential "owners of Florence" were frequent and simply had to amaze the imagination, the Florentine chefs had to invent themselves. This is how jams, marmalade and canned vegetables were invented. Then it was adopted in the Vatican, and then Catherine de Medici, who moved to Paris with her chefs, actually created the foundations for the formation of the famous French cuisine.
The modern highlight of Florentine cuisine is the Florentine steak (always with blood), salami and prosciutto from wild boar, and pecorino cheese from goat's milk. You can try almost all of this at the Mercato Centrale market, and a glass of MARTINI & TONIC before a meal will be an impeccable aperitif.
15th century street food
Florence ate fast food before it became mainstream. The proof is Lampredotto sandwiches, which have been cooked here since the 15th century in ubiquitous shops and on Mercato Centrale. The first fast food was made from a bun and (now get ready) boiled cow's stomach. Such a sandwich does not sound and look very appetizing, but if you want to taste Florence, then right next to Santa Margherita de "Cerchi they will gladly cook it for you. And the line there is no less than in the church itself.
Queen's perfume
Catherine de Medici also brought this landmark of Italy to the French, and now they have the most famous perfume houses flourishing. And in her homeland, since 1612, the pharmacy Santa Maria Novella has been invariably operating in the same place, which sells perfumes and fragrances for rooms, whose recipe has not changed since the Medici times. Be careful with trying perfume on your wrist. In the Middle Ages, they were strong enough to kill the smell of an unwashed body, so regardless of the number of showers, the smell will last another 3-4 days.
Aperitif culture
Dinner in Italy is a long process of socialization and only then - eating. It is preceded by "aperitivo" (or "apericena") - the Italian eve of dinner. It is generally accepted that the tradition originated in Florence, so order a glass of aperitif at the bar from 6 to 8 o’clock, and in addition to it you will definitely get a small dish that is designed to whet your appetite and prepare you for dinner. In different regions, different snacks and drinks are served for the "aperitivo" - it can be a small pizza, bruschetta, prosciutto, cheeses. It also depends on the ingenuity of the owners of the bar. And drinks can be served as local wines, as well as a live embodiment of the relaxed atmosphere of an aperitif and the Italian bar MARTINI & TONIC or MARTINI Prosecco. In any case, "aperitivo" is a time for light meals and endlessly loud communication in a crowded bar.
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Gelato
In general, Bernardo Buontalenti was an architect and engineer. His works adorn the Boboli Gardens, he built the Pratolino Villa, the palace of Riccordi, the Grand Duke in Pisa, the facade of the Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity and many engineering structures in Florence. But we assume that he is especially loved for creating the gelato dessert especially for the royal wedding. Now it is a traditional Italian cow's milk ice cream with natural additives. There are more than 600 species throughout Italy, and gelato itself is never made industrially. It is served exclusively fresh (after two days the product is considered spoiled) and only in small gelaterias.
Gardens of the aristocrats
When you get tired of the crowds of tourists around, go along the paths of aristocrats of the 17th-19th centuries to the Boboli Gardens. This park began to be created under Cosimo de Medici, in the middle of the 16th century. It is called the Renaissance Museum under open sky. It was designed by Niccolò Tribolo, whose work was continued by Bartolomeo Ammanati and Giorgio Vasari. The sculptures, as we already know, were made by Bernardo Buontalenti. On the modern 4.5 hectares of territory, tourists are distributed so evenly that even in the middle of the day you can feel the luxury of being alone with beautiful sculptures, rose gardens and fountains, previously available only to Italian aristocrats.
Marche
Landscapes of Ancona
The Italians themselves rush to rest in the Marche - some to improve their health, some to swim, some to see how the Middle Ages is combined with Antiquity. To understand what attracts hedonistic Italians to this modest region, come to Ancona. There, explore the Grotte di Frasassi - underground labyrinth caves with a length of about 30 kilometers. One of them once even had a monastery. On the way from the grottoes in the city, you will notice the Arch of Trajan (Arco di Traiano) and the dilapidated amphitheater (Anfiteatro romano) that caught the ancient Romans. And on the other side of the city lies the Conero Riviera (Riviera del Conero) - part of the national park with white pebble beaches, azure water of the Adriatic, coniferous trees like in Istria and mountains.
Ascoli anise liqueur
Ascoli Piceno also found Antiquity and there are many evidences of this in the city. You will have to wander in search of them in constant admiration - the entire historical center of the city was built of travertine, a beautiful silver-beige stone, very difficult to process. When you've had plenty of walking, take a look at the Meletti cafe. Time has stopped inside - the vaults of the cafe are frescoed with anise leaves, the tables are made of Carrara marble and go with classic Viennese chairs. Since 1903, this Liberty-style building has been preparing the best coffee in the area and serving it with a local attraction - Anisetta anise liqueur, which has been produced by the Meletti family for 140 years. You need to drink it with a snack of coffee beans or drinking real Italian coffee.
Truffles
Marche can compete with Piedmont in the supply of this delicacy, and also boast that white truffles grow here. Often gigantic. In local osteria, the mushroom is first served cut into pencil shavings on toasted white bread. He is usually accompanied by sparkling wine spumante. MARTINI Prosecco can set off the taste well. The second dish in this case is pasta with the same truffle shavings.
Rafael Urbino
In Fano, a small seaside town nestled among impressive landscapes, they will teach you how to relax. It is worth wandering here if you have not yet reached one of the Marche beaches. And also to try the special local coffee La Moretta Fanese. Coffee is served with layers of rum, anise liqueur and brandy. When you mix them - you come pure pleasure.
Passeggiata
Finally, we leave the tradition followed by the Italians in the central regions and to the south of them. When it's Sunday evening in the city, the Italians dress up and go to the promenade along the main street of the city or along the promenade if the action takes place by the sea. New passions, additions to the family, increased status - everything is shown to the commune on these slow walks through the city center. Young people usually take a walk, and the older generation sits down with glasses of beer or wine around the edges, glances at the walkers and gossip loudly. Which one to join is up to you. The main thing is to make sure that shorts and a T-shirt in which you wandered around all day do not give out a tourist in you.
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Photo by Leila Peterson, Dave Krugman, Ingrid Hofstra, Lorenzo Viola, palasatka, Larisa Berezovskaya
UNP 800009596
JLLC "Belvingroup"
