The first capital of Italy is the city. Italian car brands. From the history of the city

Italy can be proud of its rich past: its history spans over 2500 years. An interesting game of numbers and dates: if in the 5th century BC. e. the mighty Roman Empire had just begun to emerge, by the 5th century AD it had reached its peak, occupying vast territories in Europe, Asia, and even in North Africa. At the end of the same 5th century, the Apennine Peninsula was captured by Germanic, Ostrogothic and Gothic tribes, who settled here for several centuries. Then, on the territory occupied by modern Italy, rich city-states began to appear: Venice, Genoa, Arezzo, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Piacenza. These communes quietly and serenely existed until the middle of the 15th century, until they began to show aggressive activity. neighboring countries who wished to expand their possessions at the expense of the Apennines.

Already in modern times, namely in 1861, King Victor Emmanuel II, who ruled Sardinia, proclaimed the creation of a single Italian State, which, however, did not yet include the cities of Rome and Venice. By the 70s of the 19th century, Italy gained almost its current borders. In the summer of 1871, the capital of the united kingdom was proclaimed The eternal City- Rome. In 1924, dictator Benito Mussolini seized power. Italy actually became the first fascist state in Europe and subsequently the closest ally of Nazi Germany. The Duce regime lasted until 1943, that is, until the death of the bearer of this title, Mussolini, who was captured by partisans and executed. In the same year, Allied troops landed on the coast of Italy.

1946 marked the decline of the monarchy: King Umberto II of the Savoy dynasty abdicated and left the country. The political life of Italy during that period is characterized by frequent change of governments, sometimes several times a year. At present, the state is a republic, a member of such large interstate associations as the UN, the European Union, NATO, the OSCE and a number of others. Separately, it should be noted that in 1929, Lateran agreements were concluded between Italy and the Holy See, according to which the Vatican was formed inside Rome - an independent state and an auxiliary territory of the Holy See and the seat of the Pope and the Roman Curia.

Cave city of Sassi di Matera. There is in the south of Italy, in the region of Basilicata, the town of Matera. And Sassi di Matera (sassi is translated as “stones”) is its oldest part, a rocky settlement. It is an ordinary cave, located one above the other in the manner of floors. Simultaneously cave city- this is a real labyrinth, where many different passages and caves hide in their depths the relics of antiquity.

(Costiera Amalfitana) or Costiera Amalfitana. This South coast the Sorrento Peninsula in southwestern Italy, near the Salerno Gulf of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Protected by UNESCO since 1997 as an object world heritage. – real paradise on Earth for vacationers. The Lattari mountains go directly to the sea surface, forming notches on the coastline, on which there are wonderful villages surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation. The city of Amalfi itself attracts travelers rich history, cultural and folklore traditions.

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Historic center of Siena. This city is often called a rival of Florence in terms of historical and cultural heritage. Siena is truly unique and there is so much to see here, especially in the historic centre. Visit the city in the region of Tuscany, which is the largest tourist center Italy, usually included in various excursion tours. Particularly impressive is the panorama of old Siena, when viewed from the church of St. Clement, Siena Duomo (Cathedral), central square Piazza del Campo.

Another recognizable symbol of Italy. Located in the city of Pisa. The uniqueness of the tower is that it is tilted. Moreover, during the construction, the architects and builders did not even think that this would happen to her. However leaning tower of pisa began to sag, the fault of which was a poor foundation. Currently, measures are being taken so that the object does not collapse under its own weight, and the tower is preserved for posterity.

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Trulli in Alberobello. Commune in the province of Bari (Apulia region). Trulli, a unique structure that was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996, brought fame to it. Fanciful limestone houses, built without the "participation" of cement and crowned with original cone-shaped roofs, are found everywhere here.

All sights of Italy

Kitchen

Italian cuisine is so famous in the world that it is often called a separate landmark of the country. Pizza and spaghetti, pasta and risotto, ravioli and lasagna - perhaps not everyone has tried these culinary masterpieces in the original, but there is hardly a person who has never heard of them. Well, there is nothing to say about fine Italian wines: these are real works of wine-making art! It is believed that every third bottle of wine in the world is produced here, in the Apennines.

What best characterizes Italian cuisine, so it's diversity. The "diversity" of dishes is noted not only at the level of parts of the country, but also at the level of individual regions. That is, the set of the most “hot” products, and the methods of preparation, and signature dishes can be different. In the north, for example, recipes with veal, chicken and lean pork are popular. For the preparation of sauces, minced meat is usually used, and in other dishes it is usually served in whole portions. In Venetian cuisine, the "queen of the table" is the fish. Here, fish soup, rice with fish, grilled shrimp, sardines in oil and vinegar, cephalopods with porridge made from cornmeal (polenta) and others are held in high esteem.

The aforementioned ravioli (reminiscent of Russian dumplings, only square in shape), risotto, pasta and pizza can be called common to all of Italy. The latter has become a global “celebrity” at all, but you can’t taste such delicious pizza as in Italy, perhaps, anywhere else. Some of its species alone can be counted from a dozen. These are Margherita, Pepperoni, Carciofi, Napolitana, pizza in the form of a roll with watercress, Mason, Gogo, Calzone. And this popular dish, “grown up” from flat cakes stuffed for the poor, is not limited to the named varieties.

As for pasta, this word in Italy refers to various dough products. In addition to pasta known to us, there are many other types of pasta: farfalle and fettuccine, cappelletti and tortellini. Local restaurants serve pasta dyed green-white-red. national flag, as well as ... black, with the addition of cuttlefish ink. Well, sauces are not only a whole science, but a huge number of varieties. It is believed that there are about 10 thousand of them in Italy. It is enough to add sauce to the pasta, and it will turn into another dish - both in appearance and in taste.

Italians love lasagna and cannelloni. The first is a casserole made from broad strip dough with the addition of meat, tomatoes, basil, parmesan and béchamel sauce, and the second is dough tubes similar to our pancakes stuffed with cheese, ham, spinach or eggs. And of the first courses that Italians eat not for lunch, but for dinner, the most famous is Minestrone soup. Its preparation is a whole art, and the composition of the ingredients is “all in seven”. This refers to the use of seven varieties of meat, the same number of different vegetables and the same number of types of seasonings. Why exactly 7? There is a legend on this score: it is believed that the Catholic cardinal has just so many virtues.

It would be wrong to talk about the national gastronomy of Italy without mentioning its famous cheeses. This is a real treasure of the republic! The most famous of the many types is Parmesan, produced in the province of Emilia-Romagna. It takes a long time, at least two years, to mature in cellars, becoming dry and crumbly. Pasta, omelets, marinated meat "carpaccio" - it is impossible to list all the dishes that are sprinkled with parmesan. Other famous Italian cheeses: mozzarella (used in the preparation of pizza), gorgonzola (it is difficult to imagine creamy sauce without it), ricotta (an integral part of delicious desserts).

Video: 10 things we love about Italy

Recreation and entertainment

Tourists come to this or that country not only to get acquainted with history and sights, but also to have a great time, relax, gain impressions and positive emotions. Italy is no exception in this regard: its beaches and parks, attractions and concert halls attract travelers from all over the world. Below we offer the TOP 10 popular places that vacationers most often include in their stay program.

Not all compatriots know that Rome was not always the capital of modern Italy. The Italian kingdom appeared relatively recently - scattered Italian lands were merged on March 17, 1861. From that moment on, Italy managed to change as many as 5 capitals.

Turin

From 1861 to 1864, the first capital of the country was, which at that time also served as the capital of the kingdom of Sardinia. Then the unification of Italy was not fully completed - Rome was ruled by the pontiffs, and it was also controlled by the troops of Napoleon III.
Turin is located in northern Italy, at the foot of Western Alps. It is an important industrial, business and Cultural Center countries. In the past, it was the residence of the Savoy kings. As was customary in ancient Roman cities, the streets of Turin intersect at right angles. The ancient palazzos here attract with the magnificence of the Italian baroque. Quiet parks, long alleys, arcades with shops - all this is framed by the magnificent Graian and Cot Alps and Colli Torinese. There are many publishing houses in Turin, and the best way to feel its spirit is in one of the coffee houses that Nietzsche admired back in 1888. Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006.

In 1899, Gianni Agnelli founded the FIAT company (Fabbrica Italiana Automobile Torino), and in 1909 they began to assemble the Lancia brand here. During the last war, Allied aircraft destroyed up to 40% of Turin's buildings. But even now in Turin there are many attractions:

• Piazza Castello is the main city square, it is located in its historical center. 4 main Turin streets converge to it - the pedestrian Via Garibaldi, Via Roma, Via Po and Via Pietro Micca. Piazza Castello has a square shape. Almost in its center is the Madama Palace, in the northern part - the Royal Armory and the Prefectural Palace, in the east - the Reggio Theater and the Subalpina Gallery, in the west - the Temple of San Lorenzo, the Litoria Tower, the Reale Palace and a couple of mansions.
• One of the Turin symbols was the tower of the 19th century, together with the spire, reaching a height of 168 m.
• To the east of the historical center of Turin stands on a high hill, near which a breathtaking panorama of the surrounding area opens with the Alps on the horizon.
• Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista is a prime example of Renaissance architecture. It was built at the end of the 15th century and consecrated in honor of the patron saint of Turin.
• One of the most interesting Turin museums is dedicated to the history of this ancient state and archaeological research in it. A huge number of valuable ancient artifacts are concentrated here.
• Valentino Park is one of the largest in the city. A replica of a medieval Italian village built in the 19th century makes it especially attractive.

Florence

It became the second capital of Italy in 1865, which stayed with it until 1871. Italy is proud of Florence - one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This ancient city is located in a large valley of the Arno river. Florence is the administrative center of Tuscany, a historical region in northern Italy. From the east and north, the city is supported by the spurs of the Apennine Mountains, which have a height of up to a kilometer. Mountains surrounding Florence green hills are a wonderful backdrop for its amazing palaces and temples, forming with them unforgettable landscapes.
Travelers from all over the world dream of getting to Florence, because there are few other places where there are so many architectural, sculptural and pictorial masterpieces of the Renaissance, which form whole ensembles here, interspersed with Gothic and Romanesque buildings. Boccaccio, Dante, Machiavelli, the greatest masters of da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, and marble - Michelangelo, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Cellini wrote their immortal works here. All guests of Florence certainly leave here with an enriched spiritual world. And today this city is a place of attraction for creative people and art lovers.

rocky cliffs and mountain peaks in Italy, no less than the seas with beaches and vineyards. This is very beautiful country, but a special attraction ...

In a popular plebiscite in 1860, the Florentines supported the national movement for the reunification of the Italian lands (risorgimento). Therefore, in the final stage of the Risorgimento, Florence was chosen as the Italian capital. However, the status of the capital had an ambiguous effect on the city, since some historical buildings were demolished there at that time. At the end of the last century, the boundaries of the city were expanded to the nearest foothills, thanks to which the Rifredi industrial zone appeared.
In 1944, when the front line passed along the Arno River, Florence was bombed several times, and the German troops blew up all the bridges during the retreat, except for which miraculously survived. In 1966, the catastrophic Arno flood occurred in Florence, then its waters flooded the streets of the city, and many works of art were damaged.

Rome

Italian troops entered in 1870, and on July 1 of the following year it was proclaimed the next capital of Italy.
The "Eternal City" is one huge open-air museum stuffed to the limit with world-famous monuments of different eras and styles: antiquity, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Mannerism. This is natural, because for more than 2000 years this city has been a cultural and political center Europe, and for Catholic believers remains the capital of the world to this day.
After the proclamation of Rome as the capital of the newly minted Italy, the so-called "epoch of the Third Rome" began. In accordance with the increased status, the buildings of the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Italy, the Palace of Justice and other departments appeared here.

The Tiber divides Rome into two parts. In the distant past, it was full-flowing, which often led to floods in the city. Therefore, in the 19th century, high stone parapets appeared on its embankments, protecting from high water.
On Rome stand luxurious palaces emperors, on - ancient temples, huge, and under Rome lurks a huge network of ancient catacombs.
For over 1500 years, Rome has been the center of the Christian world. It has over 900 basilicas and churches, the most famous of which are the papal, San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura,. Near the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, tourists like to put their hand into the hole in the "" if they are sure they are telling the truth.
There are many art galleries in Rome: the Vatican Museums. In the squares of Rome, wonderful fountains give coolness, near which crowds of tourists gather in the heat to refresh themselves with their water and drink a cup of cappuccino.

Italy is a classic example better holiday on the sea. This country has many excellent and diverse resorts. Its coastline is...

Brindisi

However, it was in Italian history two more periods when the capital temporarily moved from Rome to other cities. So from September 1943 to February 1944, the capital of Italy was the city of Brindisi, located in the southern region of Apulia - at the very tip of the elegant "Apennine heel".
Brindisi is one of the three largest cities in the Salenti peninsula. It clearly feels an indescribable atmosphere. southern Italy. Everything here is different from other Italian tourist centers: a different language, way of life, even the sea is more open and deeper. Brindisi is more like Greece, it is here that there is a real Mediterranean climate.

In Brindisi, the famous port "Gate to the East" operates. The history of the city is connected with the most important historical events, there are a huge number of sights testifying to this. From ancient times, there were baths here, majestic columns towering on a hill, from where the sea space is perfectly visible - apparently, they served as a lighthouse. A herald of the early Middle Ages is the Romanesque church of St. Benedict, built in 1090. And there are also the temples of the Holy Sepulcher of the Order of the Knights Templar and St. John, the portico of the Templars, the Norman fountain of Tancredi, the Swabian castle and many other historical monuments. Frederick II was married in a temple with a beautiful mosaic floor of the 12th century.
But in Brindisi you can admire not only man-made monuments but also magnificent nature. Located nearby nature reserve Torre Guaceto, which has many picturesque landscapes with vineyards, olive groves, luxurious beaches.

Salerno

From February 1944 until the liberation of Rome, another short-term capital of Italy was the city. Salerno is also located in the south of the country, being the administrative center of the province of Salerno in the Campania region. Since the city is located on the coast of the Salerno Gulf of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it is also a port.

Located in the middle mediterranean sea Italy is not only an incredibly colorful and diverse country, but just as romantic. Having visited 10 ...

Back in 197 BC. e. Salerno served seaside resort. Being a Roman colony, it was also used as Trading port and a fortress. From the 15th century, Salerno was part of the Kingdom of Naples, and in 1860 became part of a unified Italy. Now 145,000 people live here.
The entire historical center of the city is a unique example of medieval urban planning, much here surprises and delights. Especially beautiful standing in the center of the city, which built famous architect Robert Guiscardo. This cathedral houses numerous relics of this evangelist. It is most convenient and pleasant to admire the city and cathedral, rising up to a height of 300 meters above the sea, to the majestic monumental, which the Byzantines once built here.

Each of us has our own images when it comes to Italy. For some, the country of Italy is historical and cultural monuments such as the Forum and the Colosseum in Rome, the Palazzo Medici and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Saint Mark's Square in Venice and the famous Leaning Tower in Pisa. For others, this country is associated with the directorial works of Fellini, Bertolucci, Perelli, Antonioni and Francesco Rosi, the musical work of Morricone and Ortolani, the incomparable acting work of Giulietta Masina, Monica Bellucci, Sophia Loren, Adriano Celentano. Someone, having heard about Italy, will immediately remember the famous Italian pizza, pasta, frittata and minestrone. The country of Italy is one of the oldest in the world, although it appeared on political map world just over a hundred years ago.

A bit of history

Italy had a great influence on the social and cultural development not only European countries but of all mankind.

Archaeological artifacts were found in this country, proving the fact of the settlement of the territory by ancient people. It can be argued that ancient Italy became the starting point in the development of human civilization. The Roman Empire was able not only to conquer large territories and create a powerful state, but also brought its cultural and economic traditions and knowledge to the conquered lands.

Under the onslaught of the Goths in 476, the Western Roman Empire fell, as a result of which many small specific states were formed on the Apennine Peninsula.

Modern Italy emerged only in 1871 thanks to the efforts of his associates. It was in this year that Rome was declared the capital of the state, which included small kingdoms and duchies.

The 20th century turned out to be quite difficult and tragic for the Italian Republic. In the period from 1922 to 1945, the country was under the rule of the fascists led by Benito Mussolini and was involved in the Second world war. In 1946, the last - Umberto - abdicated, after which a rather long crisis followed. The decline of industry and agriculture, a period of unsuccessful reforms - Italy survived all this. Europe, like the rest of the world, watched with amazement the transformation and the so-called Italian economic miracle. The development of the country was accompanied by many high-profile political scandals, trials of members of mafia groups, as well as terrorist actions of the "red brigades".

Today, the country of Italy is one of the highly developed European countries that exports to most countries of the world. Films, cars, fashionable clothes and shoes, excellent wines created in this country are in demand all over the world. The hospitality and cordiality of the Italians, coupled with the beautiful nature and developed hotel business contribute to the fact that tourism flourishes here. Italy receives many tourists every year from different corners peace.

Geographical position

The state of Italy, located in the south of Europe, due to its outlines, is one of the most recognizable in the world on geographical map. The mainland of the Italian "boot" occupies the Apennine Peninsula and a small part of the Balkan Peninsula and points to the west, towards the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. In addition to these islands, the Italian Republic owns the islands of Capri, Ischia and Elba. It has borders with countries such as Austria, Slovenia, France and Switzerland. The Vatican and San Marino are two miniature countries that are enclaves and are located on the territory of the state of Italy. The sea washes this country from three sides: from the south - the Mediterranean and Ionian, from the east - the Adriatic, from the west - the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian.

Relief

Most (almost ¾ of the entire territory of Italy) is occupied by hills and mountain ranges. The Apennine mountains with the top of Korno stretch from south to north. The mountain range of the Alps is located in the northern region of the country. The most high mountain this massif - Mont Blanc - has a height of 4807 meters. The country of Italy is one of the few in Europe where seismic activity of the earth's crust is recorded and active volcanoes such as Stromboli, Vesuvius and Etna are located.

Plains occupy only 1/5 of its total area, which is 300 thousand square meters. km. The largest in area is the Padana Plain, located between the Apennine mountain range and the Alps. There are also small plains on the sea coast.

Rivers and lakes

The rivers of Italy are concentrated mainly in its northern region. The largest of them - Po - flows from the slopes of the Kotsky Alps and ends its journey in is the second largest, and it is connected with the Arno River through a channel and a system of canals. Both of these rivers, the Arno and the Tiber, are unpredictable and notorious for their destructive floods.

Most Italian rivers are short mountain streams that form small river systems or flow directly into the sea. Only Northern Italy can boast of a developed river system fed all year round big amount atmospheric precipitation and melt water flowing from glaciers.

Most Italian lakes are located on Adriatic coast, in the foothills and mountainous alpine regions. largest lake Garda, whose area is almost 370 km 2, is located on the outskirts of the Alps. Lakes such as Albano, Bracciano, Bolsena, Vico and Nemi, located in the central region of Italy, were formed due to the filling of extinct volcanic craters with water. Lakes Lesina, Varano, Valli de Comacchio were formed as a result of the closing of the waters of the lagoon by sandy barriers. Their depth is shallow, and the water is salty.

Administrative division

The whole country can be conditionally divided into three main regions: north, south and center. Officially, as it is written in the Constitution of the Italian Republic in Art. 116 of December 11, 1947, it is subdivided into 20 regions, each of which is divided into provinces. Five of the 20 regions are autonomous entities where ethnic and linguistic minorities live. In Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sicily, Valle d'Aosta and Trentino Alto Adige, in addition to the state Italian, other official languages ​​are also used.
The provinces of Italy are divided into communities (communes), total number of which - 8101. Communes, like provinces, vary quite noticeably in territory and in the number of people inhabiting them. The largest community-commune is considered to be the city of Rome, located in the Lazio region, which is also the capital of the entire state. It is located almost in the center of the western region. peninsula, on the banks of the Tiber River, not far from its confluence with Rome in Italy, is not only a capital, but also a political, historical, cultural, and tourist center of world significance.

Economic and geographical differences

Trentino Alto Adige

This autonomous region, known for its magnificent landscapes and ski resorts, is located on the territory bordering Austria and Switzerland. In the south, this region is adjacent to Veneto, in the west - with Switzerland and Lombardy, and in the north - with Austria, and the border runs along the Alpine mountain range. This region includes two provinces - Bolzano and Trento. This region is interesting because in each of its provinces culture, traditions and even the main language are different. To Bolzano official language- German, and most residents of Trento speak only Italian. Tourism is the main source of income for the region. Trentino Alto Adige is famous for its ski resorts, such as Madonna di Campiglio.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

It is the easternmost region of Northern Italy, bordering Croatia, Austria and Slovenia. Friuli Venezia Giulia is located on the Adriatic coast and has the status administrative region, consisting of two historical provinces- Venezia Giulia and Friule, who, due to various circumstances, had to unite. Despite the rather long coexistence, each of the regions has retained its own characteristics and individuality. Today there are four provinces in this region: Gorizia, Pordenone, Udine and Trieste. It is here that the most famous white wine Pinot Grigio is produced.

Emilia-Romagna

It is considered one of the richest Italian regions. It is bordered in the south by the Apennine Mountains, in the east by the Adriatic Sea, and in the north by the Po River. The region is divided into two parts - northwestern Emilia and southeastern Romagna, which borders on the Republic of San Marino. The region is famous not only for such popular tourist cities as Modena, Ravenna, Reggio, Rimini and Ferarra. In this area, there are enterprises of such well-known automobile concerns as Dallara, Ducati, De Tomaso, Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Morini and Malaguti. And the largest international competitions are regularly held at local autodromes.

TO central regions Italy include:

• Abruzzo;
• Lazio;
• Marche;
• Molise;
• Tuscany;
• Umbria.

Abruzzo

This italian region located in the center of the country, between the Adriatic coast and the Apennine mountain range. It borders areas such as Molise, Marche and Lazio. Abruzzo includes the provinces of Teramo, Chieti, Pescara and L'Aquila.

Abruzzo is distinguished by a high standard of living and economic stability, which became possible thanks to the attention of the authorities to both the development of tourism and the support of the agricultural sector. In this area, both lovers of mountaineering and skiing and beach lovers.

Lazio

This central Italian region is also a metropolitan area. It is in Lazio that Rome is located, which is also the main city of this region. There are five provinces in this area: Viterbo, Latina, Rome, Rieti, Frosinone. This region belongs to a small group of volcanic islands in the center of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Marche

Marche is located in the very center of Italy, on the Adriatic coast. It consists of six provinces: Ancona, Macerata, Ascoli Piceno, Pesaro, Urbino and Fermo.

Tourists are attracted to this Italian region primarily by the beaches, small and cozy in Sinigalia or spacious and wide in San Benedetto del Tronto. This region is also interesting for lovers of speleology: many caves, such as Frasassi, are available for visits.

Molise

Located in southern Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountain range. Molise borders Campania to the south, Abruzzo to the north, Lazio to the west and Apuli to the east. There are only two provinces in this area: Isernia and Campobasso. Molise is one of the most industrially underdeveloped regions in Italy. The exception is the Termoli area, which has a small FIAT company and a bell factory in Agnone. major cities in the region of Molise there is none, and not very large villages are located mainly in the foothills.

Tuscany

This region of central Italy is washed by the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas in the west, and in the east it is bounded by the Tusco-Emilian Apennines. Tuscany is bordered to the east by Umbria and the Marche, to the north by Emilia Romagna and to the south by Lazio. Off the coast of Tuscany there are several islands that form the Tuscan archipelago: Gorgona, Giglio, Giannuti, Montecristo, Pianosa, Sapraya and Elba.

Tuscany consists of 10 provinces: Arezzo, Grosseto, Lucca, Livorno, Massa Carrara, Prato, Pisa, Pistoia, Siena and Florence, each of which has its own capital of the same name.

This Italian region, in addition to picturesque landscapes, has many cultural and historical monuments, the most famous of which are concentrated in such provinces as Florence, Siena, Livorno and Pisa. It was in Tuscany that such famous people like Leonardo da Vinci and Petrarch, Dante Alighieri and Michelangelo and many others.

Umbria

This unique Italy. There is no sea or coastline. It borders only Marche, Lazio and Tuscany. There are only two provinces in Umbria: Terni and Perugia.

Most of the entire territory is made up of hills and mountains. The plain can only be found in the valleys of such rivers as Velino, Nera and Tiber. On the Velino River, near the town of Terni, there is the most famous man-made Marmore waterfall, built by the ancient Romans.

Large-scale industry in the region is poorly developed, with the exception of the city of Terni, where metallurgical, chemical and machine-building enterprises are located. Perugia has small food, textile and craft factories.

Southern regions of Italy

These regions of Italy are located in southern region the Apennine Peninsula and include such large islands as Sardinia and Sicily, which occupy about 40% of the country's area. These are the regions:

• Apulia;
• Sardinia;
• Basilicata;
• Sicily;
• Campaign;
• Calabria.

Apulia

Washed by the Ionian and Adriatic seas, Puglia is the easternmost Italian region. There are five provinces in this area: Brindisi, Bari, Lecce, Tarento and Foggia. This is a traditionally agricultural region of Italy, which ranks first in the production of olive oil and wine.

On the territory of this area there are many traces and monuments of various civilizations, from the Paleolithic period to the end of the Renaissance.

Basilicata

This southern Italian region is bordered by the Ionian Sea in the southeast and the Tyrrhenian Sea in the southwest. Basilicata borders Calabria to the south and Apulia to the east and north. The region is divided into two provinces: Potenza and Matera. Basilicata is a rather harsh region, and almost half of its territory is mountains, only 1/10 of the entire area is plains. The entire flat part is crossed by rivers, which swamped it. Today, most of the swamps have already been drained.

This South Region Italy is not spoiled by the attention of vacationers, as the development of tourism began only in the last few years. Already in effect national park Pollino and resorts with thermal waters in Rappola. Many interesting historical and cultural artifacts can be seen in the natural archaeological park Murgia, as well as in the museums of Metaponto, Venoso and other cities in the region.

In addition, there are many ski resorts in Basilicata with the main tourist center in La Sellata Perfaona.

Calabria

This area is located on the very "toe" of the Italian "boot", for the most part on the peninsula of the same name. It borders Calabria in the north with Basilicata, in the west it is washed by the Tyrrhenian, and in the east and south by the Ionian Sea. Separated from this region Strait of Messina. There are five provinces: Vibo Valentia, Catanzaro, Crotone, Cosenzo and Reggio Calabria.

The region has long been known as an agricultural land, and today it is actively developing as a tourist region. There is everything you need for this: beautiful nature and warm seas, as well as numerous historical monuments left over from the Greeks, Romans and Normans.

Calabria, among other things, is also the most seismically active region of Italy. The largest number earthquakes over the past three hundred years occurred in this region.

Campaign

From the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the borders with the regions of Basilicata and Lazio stretches the southern Italian region - Campania. This whole area is divided into the following provinces: Avellino, Caserta, Benevento, Naples, Salerno. For the region, the most characteristic areas of activity are agriculture, winemaking and fishing. IN port cities shipbuilding is actively developing. In this area, there is travel business. The Campania region, in terms of the pace and level of its development, is in the top ten and is considered one of the most promising Italian regions.

Sicily

Sicily is located on the island of the same name, as well as on the adjacent Aeolian, Pelagian, Egadi Islands. The territory of the region is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Catania, Messina, Caltanissetta, Ragusa, Palermo, Trapani, Syracuse, Enna. Sicily is separated from mainland Italy by the Strait of Messina.

Today, only Sicily in the entire Italian Republic has its own parliament, located in Palermo, the capital of the island. There are many historical and cultural Greek and Byzantine monuments and attractions. But main object tourist interest - active volcano Etna, moreover, beautiful beaches Pozzallo and Isola Bella and magnificent scenery and landscapes.

Sardinia

The island of Sardinia, the second largest, is located between Corsica and Sicily. Sardinia - Autonomous region Italy, which is very different both in the main language - Sardinian, and in the ethnic composition of the population. From the western side, the island is washed by the Sardis Sea, and from all the rest - by the Tyrrhenian.

The autonomy has eight provinces: Medio Campidano, Cagliari, Nuoro, Carbonia-Iglesias, Sassari, Ogliastri, Oristano and Olbia Tempio. main port and the capital of Sardinia - Cagliari. There is no industry on the island, which favors the conservation of nature.

Capital of Italy

"The Eternal City" - that's what they call Rome. It was founded on April 21, 753 BC. e. in the heart of the Apennine Peninsula. It stands on seven hills: Aventina, Viminal, Quirinal, Palantine, Celia, Esquiline and, of course, the most famous - Capitoline. It was Rome that was destined to become the center of one of the greatest civilizations of mankind.

From Roman civilization came to us law and architecture, philosophy and principles of management, the Latin language, which is the basis of a whole group of languages. According to legends, the very first settlement was built by Romulus on the Palatine hill. Romulus is one of two twin brothers, the sons of the god Mars, who were saved and raised by a she-wolf. Many books and scientific studies have been written about the history, rises and falls of Rome. The city received its modern status of the capital of Italy in 1861, but actually became it in December 1870.

The center of modern Rome is Piazza Venezia, located at the foot of the Capitoline Hill. In the very center of this square, there is a monument to the first king who stood at the head of a united Italy - Victor Emmanuel II. The Italians themselves call this monument a "wedding cake", for a huge variety of details and decorations.

The western part of the square is decorated with the Palace of Venice, built in 1455. Today it houses the National Museum of the Palace of Venice and the Cere Museum. In Chera there are wax figures of famous political and historical figures, cultural and art figures. IN National Museum The Palace of Venice exhibits a collection of works by artists of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as various household items and weapons.

Venice Square gives rise to all the main Roman streets: the Plebiscite, the Fourth of November (going to the Colosseum), Victor Emmanuel Avenue (leading to St. Peter's Basilica), Via del Corso. If you walk along Via del Corso, and then along Condotti Street, you will come to Plaza España.

In order to describe all the monuments, squares, palaces and sights of Rome, a multi-volume encyclopedia is not enough. Keeping in mind the folk wisdom that it is better to see once than hear a hundred times, why not look at Rome and all of Italy with your own eyes?

The official capital of Italy is Rome, this is not disputed by anyone. Administrative center states. The eternal city, founded before our era, the keeper of the relics of centuries of history.
But there is a dream city in Italy, almost the capital, filled with light and greenery - Milan.

By the way, so ancient and well-deserved that the question arises - is the capital of Italy Milan or?

A bit of history

Main city northern Italy– , the history of the city proves that it is the second largest after Rome, financial, economic, business and cultural capital country, the fashion capital of the world. It is enough to list a few names and titles so that the paramount importance of Milan in the history of Italy does not raise questions:

• Duke Visconti;
• Cathedral of El Duomo;
• La Scala Theatre;
• Arturo Toscanini;
• Puccini, Verdi;
• Leonardo da Vinci;
• Santa Maria della Grazie;
• Duke Francesco Sforza;
• Versace, Armani... and so on.

Founded by the Celts in the distant 600 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans, who gave it the name Mediolan, standing in the center of the plain. During its heyday, Milan competes with Rome for the title of the center of the Western Roman Empire. Famous Milanese glorified hometown in centuries. The first Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, initiated the construction of the most famous cathedral in the history of Italy, El Duomo, in the 14th century.

The cathedral was built for a long time, almost six centuries, but it became a classic of “flaming Gothic”, an openwork monument to Milanese artisans. The semi-dark hall of the cathedral strikes with the subtlety of execution, the number of sculptures, bas-reliefs, the number of columns, the swiftness of the dome, and the multi-colored stained-glass windows. The carved organ with malachite patterns and the gilded Madonna, the patroness of the city, dominate here.

Opera Milan

In Milan, everyone sings, despite the glory business capital, the city is very light, transparent. It is no coincidence that built on the site of the dilapidated church of St. Maria della Scala theater building soon becomes the main opera house not only in Italy, but in the world. To sing on stage at La Scala is the dream of every singer.

Milan artistic

The inconspicuous church of Santa Maria della Grazie became world famous thanks to Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper", which adorned the wall of the refectory. Miraculously surviving during the bombing, the picture still attracts thousands of fans today.

Milan is also famous for its art collections - connoisseurs of art are sure to come to the Pinacoteca de Brera, Ambrosiana.

Milan is the capital of fashion

Needless to say, Milan is the capital of fashion; world fashion houses are founded and flourish in Milan. The names of Versace, Louis Vuitton, Armani, Gucci, Cavalli speak for themselves... Famous fashion weeks are held here, the whole fashion world gathers.

Milan is a small city, convenient, compact, beautiful. It has everything for a happy life. Even crowds of tourists do not spoil it - the townspeople know how to receive guests, feed, surprise, give rest and delight with beauty and grace.