Venice: The Splendid Doge's Palace

Venice, The Doge's Palace (Italy)

Hello, my friends!
Welcome again on My Own Italy to discover Italy with My Personal Touch!
It's very difficult for me to start my report today, because I'm going to describe one of the very symbol of Italy: the Doge's Palace in Venice!

Venice (Italy)

I must say that when you arrive in Venice, you are inebriated: the city is beautiful, full of colors, smells, sounds ... So many emotions and things to see and visit!
So I will choose for you the Doge's Palace.

 

View to the lagoon from the Doge's Palace (Venice)

The Doge's Palace is certainly the most famous building in the city, the most representative symbol of its civilization and its historical, political and cultural events. Along with the Basilica of San Marco square in the background and the foreground, helps to draw one of the most famous scenery in the world.

Doge's Palace (Venice)

For centuries it has played three roles: it was the residence of the Doge, the seat of government of the city and the palace of justice.
It is here that were taken many of the most important decisions that determined the fate of Venice and, sometime, even in Europe!

Doge's Palace (Venice)

This impressive building has a feature typical of Venetian architecture: lightness! 

The Council Chamber, Doge's Palace

Spite of its large size, in fact, the polychrome decorations of the facade, the beautiful tracery of Gothic loggias like a precious stone lace give us back the image of an elegant structure.


Inside the Palace, you can visit the Doge's Apartements, the Insitutional Chambers, and also the Prisons!


It 's path that leaves you breathless, and, as for me, it was an extraordinary experience.

The Bridge of Sighs (Venice)

I suggest to visit the corridor that leads over the Bridge of Sighs, built in 1614 to link the Doge’s Palace to the structure intended to house the New Prisons. Enclosed and covered on all sides, the bridge contains two separate corridors that run next to each other.

The famous name of the bridge Bridge of Sighs dates from the Romantic period.

 

The Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace (Venice)

It was supposed to refer to the sighs of prisoners who, passing from the courtroom to the cell in which they would serve their sentence, took a last look at freedom as they glimpsed the lagoon and San Giorgio through the small windows.

In the end, I hope you will have time enough to spend in the most fomous lagoon in the world.

My sons and I in the Courtyard of Doge's Palace, Venice

I'm so fascinated by the beauty of my country ... and I'd like to envolve you to be in love with Italy, too!

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Ciao, Carlotta!

Tuscany: Montecatini Terme, Elegance and Style

Thermal "Tettuccio" @ Montecatini Terme (Pistoia, Tuscany)

Welcome, my friends!
I'm so proud to have you here, in My Own Italy and to introduce you to the most famous Spa in Italy: Montecatini Terme!

Thermal "Regina" @  Montecatini Terme

Montecatini Terme is a town in Tuscany in the province of Pistoia, in the Valdinievole; it is a so famous and popular spa thanks to its water-chloride-sodium phosphate, recommended for the treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases.

Moreover, it is located in a strategic position for those who want to visit Tuscany: in fact, you are half an hour from Florence, Lucca and Siena too!

Thermal "Tettuccio"

Already in Roman times the therapeutic qualities of the waters of Montecatini were known: the "garden city" that enchants the visitor with its beauty made ​​of picturesque boulevards, an oasis of greenery and flowers, artistic beauty, serene stillness and warm hospitality.

Leopoldina Water: purifying!

The waters of the thermal baths originate from one basin hydro-mineral that is found at a depth of 60-80 meters, the water is bacteriologically pure: carefully studies from a physical-chemical and clinical pharmacology confirm that they have extraordinary health benefits and on the body!

Thermal "Tettuccio"

Thermal Tettuccio  is considered the symbol of the city and its glorious past. 


Thermal "Tettuccio", entrance

It is the oldest plant of the Baths, and is a real distillation of elegance, and it is known as "the temple of European Spas".

The Park in Montecatini Terme nearby the Spa

The grandeur of the building and the richness of the decorations that characterize the interior are the highest expression of spa town of Montecatini.

I suggest  you also a relaxing walk in the park, which covers an area of ​​420 thousand square meters!

I had a great time there ... try this out and let me know your opinion!


Carlotta @ Thermal "Tettuccio", Montecatini Terme

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Ciao, Carlotta!

Piedmont: Discover The Castle of Camino

The Castle of Camino (Alessandria, Piedmont)

Hello, My Friends!
Welcome again here in My Own Italy to discover Italy with My Personal Touch!
Today I'd like to tell you something about one of the many castles in Piedmont: Castle of Camino.

Going to Camino (Alessandria)

The Castle of Camino is situated in the famous Monferrato Hills, in the north west of Italy, about an hour away from Milan, Genoa and Turin.

The castle’s origins date back to around the year 1000 for defensive reasons and enlarged at the end of the 18th century, it is still one of the most beautiful castles in Italy both for its architecture as well as for its perfect state of preservation.

The charming view of Monferrato Hills form the Castle

Due to his strategic position, the castle was an ideal observation point as well as offering protection to the inhabitants of the surrounding plains; during the 12th century, at times of danger the local people would take shelter within its walls, traces of which are still left today.

The entrance of the Castle (Camino, AL)

 

Until the 13th century Camino was owned by the bishops of Asti, before passing into the control of the marquises of Monferrato. 

In 1323 Theodore Palaeologus, deeply in debt and in need of money, granted the investiture and ownership of the Castello di Camino to brothers Tommaso and Francesco Scarampi, bankers and merchants from Asti. 

The Castle of Camino Interiors: this is me in The Ballroom

The castle remained in the hands of the Scarampi family of Villanova from then until 1950.

The Dining Room in the Castle

Ferdinando Scarampi restructured the oldest part of the castle, creating the dining room in a Neo-Gothic style, the library, and the theater frescoed with scenes from Don Quixote. 

During the same period, a spacious courtyard and a chapel were also created within the castle’s interior.

 

The guided tour of the castle’s halls will take you through various historical eras and also to the legends linked to the castle.

The Garden of Castle of Camino (Alessandria, Italy)

Afterwards, I suggest you to explore the beautiful grounds, part of the River Po Natural Park.

So, what about a dip in the Piedmontese aristocracy??

I'll wait for your comments! :-)

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Ciao,Carlotta

Piedmont: Alba, The Home of White Truffles

Piedmont, view of The Hill

Hello, My Friends!
Welcome again on My Own Italy, to discover Italy with my Personal Touch!

Alba (Cuneo, Piedmont)

Today, I'd like to talk you about one of the most typical typical of Piedmont, known and appreciated all over the world: the White Truffles!!!
 
If you are interested in to understand more, if you like the idea of sinking into a very unique sensory experience, I suggest you do not miss the Fiera del Tartufo, which is organized in Alba every year between October and November.

Fiera del Tartufo @ Alba (Piedmont)

Alba is in the middle of a landscape of hills and lush vineyards and charming divided into two parts by the river Tanaro: Langa and Roero on the right to the left.  


 

Piazza Risorgimento view form S. Lorenzo Cathedral

Alba is the heart of the Langhe. 
The Hills have profiles drawn from the many vineyards that climb up to the top on which are perched villages with their castles and towers.

 Let me point out a visit to the  Cathedral of San Lorenzo , in Piazza Risorgimento: starting  with the Roman style, was built at the end of 400 on the ruins of an earlier Roman building of the first half of the twelfth century.
 

S. Lorenzo Cathedral in Alba (Piedmont)

 In 1486 was launched the second reconstruction, but the most important intervention, however, dates back to 1652, when the cathedral was restored to repair the damage caused by some earthquakes in 1626.

Typical specialties of Alba, in Piedmont

The period between 1868 and 1872 date latest posts including the reconstruction of roofs and vaults of the nave, the rebuilding of the apse, the reorganization of the facade, the opening of the side windows and the replacement of the flooring.

 


This is me @ Fiera del Tartufo (Alba)

After visiting the city, if you are looking forward having your shopping of typical food and wine, you just have to choose: here there are truly unique specialties and I think you must enjoy!


As for me ... I didn't let slip the opportunity to taste the specialties of Alba.... so good!


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Ciao, Carlotta

Tuscany: Montecarlo, and its Fortress of Cerruglio

The Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Tuscany)

Hello my friends!
Happy to find you again here in My Own Italy  to Discover Italy with My Personal Touch!
Today I suggest you a gem in Tuscany, in the middle of the way of Wine and Olive Oil: I'd like to introduce you to Montecarlo.

Montecarlo (Lucca, Tuscany)

Montecarlo is a small village located at 162 m above sea level, on a hill overlooking the surrounding plains, between Lucca and the Valdinievole.
 

Montecarlo was founded in 1333 by the future Emperor Charles IV of Bohemia, to which it owes its name (in latin: Mons Caroli).

Due to its extraordinary strategic importance, since its foundation, Monte Carlo was the scene of battles between Pisa, Florence and Lucca, for the domain of Valdinievole and Lucca.

Lucca authorities decided to move the town at the top of the hill on which stood the Fortress of Cerruglio.

Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Italy)

The fort played a strategic role in the wars of the fourteenth century: the fortress was enlarged by Lucca themselves first and then by the Florentines, especially Grand-ducal government which, since 1437, had finally Montecarlo under its control!

Fortress of Montecarlo (Lucca, Italy)

In 1775 the fortress was broken up by the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo and sold at auction. 


Since then  it became a private property; the fortified complex is covered by the owners of ongoing works of conservation and restoration.

The Garden inside the Montecarlo Fortress (LU)

The fortress is open to the public during the summer months, its renovated rooms and courtyards host exhibitions and cultural events.







If you would like to know something more, why don't you follow me on this interview?
Enjoy!


 

If you want to take your rest in this magic place, I suggest you to stay at Casa Fontanino : you'll find more information on my page Where To Sleep!

Ciao,
Carlotta!

The Marche: Corinaldo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy

The Walls of Corinaldo (Ancona, Italy)

Hello, my friends!

Welcome in My Own Italy  to discover one of the most beautiful villages in Italy!

Corinaldo is a small town near Ancona in the Marche region, situated inland of Senigallia.

Here there is the wine production of the famous Verdicchio. It has a charateristic well maintained city walls dating back to the fourteenth century.

Carlotta @ Corinaldo Walls (Ancona, Italy)

The walls of Corinaldo are recognized as the most intact and impressive fortified and long (912 meters uninterrupted) of the Marche Region and the best preserved in all of central Italy!

They constitutes a monument of the village of Corinaldo and one of the most visited historical-architectural Marche.

Corinaldo (Ancona, Italy)

Corinaldo was totally rebuilt in 1367, with the current city walls; details of strengthening elements are attributed to the genius of the famous military architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini of Siena.

Pozzo della Polenta, Corinaldo

Corinaldo is also known for a legend: it is said that a farmer, going up the steep ascent leading from the village to the ancient historical center, dropped a lot of corn flour into the well to which he tried to drink to fight the scorching summer heat.

From the well began to go out, miraculously, so much polenta that it could feed the Corinaldesi besieged (the reference is to the historical siege of 1517)!!

Btw, if now you nedd to have a break, I suggest you to make a stop at the tavern Osteria de Scuretto, at the very top of the stairs in the center and enjoy a small snack of The Marche :-)

This is me at Pozzo della Polenta, Corinaldo (Ancona)

I hope you will be curious to visit this magic place, and I'll wait for your feed back!



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Ciao, Carlotta!