Rimini: the imposing fortress of St. Leo and Valmarecchia

Hello, my friends! Welcome in My Own Italy to discover Italy with my personal touch!

Today our travel is to Emilia Romagna in province of Rimini: I'll let you to discover the impregnable fortress of San Leo, also linked to the legend of the famous and discussed alchemist Count Alessandro Cagliostro, who was kept prisoner here!

The Fortress of San Leo is situated on top of the rocky spire that overlooks the city and dominates the Valmarecchia.

The Fortress is the symbol of this ancient town and medieval village.

 This impregnable Fortress was considered of great importance since the Middle Ages because of its formidable strategic position: in fact, it stands on the highest point of the rock overlooking the Valmarecchia, surrounded by a series of steep vertical walls impassable by any side.

The Fortress is impressive and beautiful: you can breathe a magical and mysterious atmosphere, issued by the legend of the dark character of the Count Cagliostro, cunning and devious alchemist, who ended his day in its cells in 1795 after long years of imprisonment.

For this characteristic and also for the attractive location on the border of Monte Feltro, this Fortress was the subject of clashes and bloody fights between tribes and of the most important families in the history of Italy.

Even after the unification of Italy, the Fortress continued to fulfill its function as a prison until 1906.

From the square of the Fortress, as well as from the Towers, you can enjoy a unique landscape which offers, once again, a wonderful view of the hills of Emilia Romagna: this village is a must-see destination in your holiday in Italy.
 

Leisure me, this is my tourism!




 
 

Ravenna: the city of the stunning mosaics

My friends, welcome to My Own Italy to discover Italy with my personal touch!

Our travel today is to Emilia Romagna and we are going to visit the capital of the Western Roman Empire: Ravenna, the imperial city, the Byzantium of the West, located a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea!

Ravenna extends from the sea to the rolling hills of the Apennines and preserves the most beautiful and richest evidence of early Christian art. 

The gorgeous mosaics  are a must: they are the characteristic feature of this amazing city!

Ravenna, as mentioned, is the ancient city elected for three times as the capital: the Western Roman Empire before, the United goto then under Theodoric, and the last of the Byzantine Empire in Europe.
 




 

 
 The magnificence of that period has left a great heritage of monuments: the buildings that have been declared Unesco World Heritage are eight!

 In Ravenna there are the mortal remains of the poet Dante Alighieri,  whose tomb can be visited, and keeps alive the memory with important events.

The cultural offer of Ravenna is really rich and varied. I personally was blowled over by the Basilica of San Vitale and the adjacent Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, but I did not miss even the Basilica of St. Apollinare Nuovo!

Also I couldn't miss a visit to the historic city center in Ravenna, from Piazza San Francesco to Piazza del Popolo, passing through the ancient Chiostri of the Franciscans.

 In the end, in my holiday after visiting Ravenna, one of the Cities of Art nominated in 2019 as European Capital of Culture, I could not pass up the opportunity to taste the specialties of Romagna par excellence: the Piadina.

That's why, if you are looking for a place where to eat, my suggestion is this typical restaurant: Ca' de Vén!

Leisure with me, this is my tourism!

Emilia, along the River Panaro: the Vignola Fortress

Hello, my friends! Welcome in My Own Italy to discover Italy with my personal touch!

Today our travel is to Emilia Romagna and we're going to walk along the valley of the River Panaro, in the province of Modena: I suggest you to visit to the Vignola Fortress.

The Vignola Fortress is a military fortress that dominates the valley of the River Panaro.

The imposing structure of the Fortress is visible in the distance. It looks like a mighty quadrangle, the final product of many phases of construction, which have transformed it from Roccaforte to imposing noble mansion. 

  The name "Vignola" comes from the Latin "vineola", which means "little vine" and today the the grapevine appears in the banner of the city. Until the early years of the fifteenth century the building was used for military functions; in 1401 the noble of Ferrara Uguccione Contrari received the feud Vignola as a gift from the lord of Ferrara Nicolò III d'Este. 

During the two following decades the Fortress profoundly changed its function, becoming the sumptuous home richly frescoed of the Family Contrari, accustomed to the comforts and magnificence of the court of Ferrara. 

This dynasty died out in 1577, the Fortress passed to the Boncompagni, who entrusted the administration of the fief to a governor, visiting Vignola sporadically. The Fortress, built of limestone, commonly called "tuff" overlooking the river, is today on five floors, from the basement, where there are the rooms of Grassoni and Contrari, to the walkways.
Regarding the halls and their function, the ground floor is open to the those engaged public events and official moments of the court life: banquets, parties, music, theater, administration of justice.
 

 

The first floor was dedicated to the private apartments of the ladies and lords and to their guests. At the top level there are the rooms probably used as the servants' quarters and  troops stationed at the fortress, but also there were the service areas, so essential in a building of this size. 

During the nineteenth century the political and social institutions in Vignola have found their headquarters inside the building: The Town Hall, the Library, and the Cassa di Risparmio di Vignola, which acquired the property in 1965.



 

 

In the end, Vignola is a must-see destination for your holiday in Italy to discover the italian villages.


Leisure with me, this is my tourism! 

Piacenza: Castell'Arquato and the Fortress of Visconti

 Welcome to My Own Italy to discover Italy With My Personal Touch!
Our travel today is to Emilia Romagna Region, between Parma and Piacenza: I'm talking about Castell'Arquato!

After your visit, I'm sure you will taste the famous specialties of Piacenza: I mean "Torta Fritta" and cold cuts in   Trattoria Capoponte: delicious!!

The medieval village of Castell'Arquato is strategically located on the hills of Val D'Arda valley, castled on the hill overlooking the pass.
 
It is assumed to be a military camp (castrum), dating back to the Roman colonization of the area. Then it developed as a small rural town thanks to the favorable position of dominance on the road network.

The historical part is really rich. The Fortress of Visconti, commissioned by the city of Piacenza and erected by Luchino Visconti between 1342 and 1349, is one of the most remarkable military factories in Northern Italy.

You can also admire the Palace of Podestà, built at the end of 300. In the midst of the windows is painted the coat of arms with two rampant lions COMMUNITAS CASTRI ARQUATI and a castle tower. The Palace of Podestà is not usually open to the public, but it is often used for exhibitions.

 

Castell'Arquato is a rare beauty village of art, steeped in the atmosphere of ancient times: you just have to visit it and discover its mysterious charm: a must-see destination in your holiday to discover the Villages in Italy.

Leisure me: this is my tourism!

A Medieval Village near Milan: The Castle of Grazzano Visconti

The Castle of Grazzano Visconti, nearby Milan

Welcome, my friends!!
Are you ready to discover a medieval village nearby Milan? Here, in My Own Italy of course!

The Castle of Grazzano Visconti was built in 1395, perhaps on an existing structure, for Beatrice Visconti, the sister of Gian Galeazzo Visconti.  

It remained the property of the Anguissola family until 1870 when Count Philip died without any heir, and the Castle passed to his wife Fanny born Visconti di Modrone, who left her possessions to his nephew Grazzano Guido Visconti di Modrone.

The Castle of Grazzano Visconti

The castle has a quadrangular plan with towers on the four corners.
Built of stone and brick, the alternation of the two materials is used in decorative key with alternating bands and the use of profiles in cooked on the bottom stone.  

The Castle of Grazzano Visconti

The buildings form three sides of the assembly, the fourth is closed by a wall crenellated.  

The entrance was made possible by a drawbridge, of which the traces, over the moat, still exists.

The large park surrounding the castle is about 150,000 m2, and contains: the church, the Duke's studio, the viewpoint that looms over Rio Grazzano, the labyrinth, the Italian garden and several specimens of trees.

My son Francesco in The Italian Garden @ Grazzano Visconti

Through guided tours organized by the tourist board park is now open to the charge at certain times of the year.
   

Carlotta at Grazzano Visconti (Piacenza)

Today a tourist destination, the village is home to shops and eateries and is animated with historical reenactments and costume parties!

 

Hope to have your comments!

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Ciao! Carlotta

The River Po: riding along the Right Bank

Pedestrian Cycle Route of Ferrara, the Right bank of the River Po

Hello my friends, welcome in My Own Italy!

Today I'd like to suggest you another way to discover Italy with my personal touch.

If you want to enjoy Italy by the Slow Tourism, you can visit Ferrara, in Emilia Romagna Region. I suggest you this itinerary : the River Po, cycling on the right bank.

At the city entrance you will notice the sign "City of Bicycles", which gives the feeling of entering a place where the rider becomes user "less weak" of the road.

 

Just a few steps away in the old town, or even just a quick look soon as you exit the train station, to realize that actually the number of bikes is large, as well as the people that use: the people of cyclists in Ferrara is about 90% of its inhabitants!!.

Ferrara also has morphological characteristics that have enabled the enhancement of the bicycle, such as the fact of being in the flat Po Valley - Venetian.

My son Francesco and I cycling along the River Po

From the heart of the city a bike path along the countryside of Ferrara, and you can admire the view of the river right bank of the Po River.

The bike path runs along between rows of poplar trees in a pleasant and peaceful landscape where you can ride smoothly and effortlessly!

Read more on this route:
Il Grande Anello d'Acqua

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Ciao, Carlotta!

Rimini: the most popular Italian Seaside!

Hi everybody, welcome in My Own Italy!

Summer is coming and I'd like to suggest you a classic itinary: Rimini, the most popular italian seaside....

But, as usual, I'll do it with my personal Touch!

Rimini Seaside with My Personal Touch

Rimini, the History of  Dolce Vita

Rimini is on the Adriatic Sea, in the center of Italy. It is the hometown of Federico Fellini, the most famous italian Film Director (wikipedia, Federico Fellini), .

Welcome @ Grand Hotel Rimini

You can also breathe the air of the Italian Dolce Vita in the historic Grand Hotel (www.grandhotelrimini.com), a masterpiece of art nouveau in the city center situated in fornt of the beach and still popular haunt of artists and actors.

Discovering Rimini

Of course, we can't forget that Rimini was an important city during the Romans Emperor, so I think you will enjoy a tour in the ancient part of the city.

Let's have a look to the Guide Map!

In the very old center you can visit Piazza Cavour, a medieval square.

Formerly called the "town square" or "fountain square"; in the Middle Ages there was the center of city life (Rimini, Piazza Cavour).

Piazza Cavour (Rimini, Italy)

Today it no longer reflects the shape of medieval, but still retains the old public fountain, around which the place of the fish and vegetable market.

On one side of the square there are coffee shops, on the other you can admire the historic buildings: Garampi building (city hall), Arengo Palace and Palace of the Podestà.

Measurement system used in the Middle Ages, Piazza Cavour

Viale Pricipe Amedeo, Rimini

Coming back to the seaside, you can walk along Viale Principe Amedeo, one of the main streets of Rimini, where you can admire ancient and aristocratic mansions.

Villa in Viale Pricipe Amedeo

Certainly a different perspective of Rimini! :-)

Of course, we can't forget that Rimini is the capital of the traditional Piadina Romagnola... so please follow me at "Where to eat" section: I'm going to introduce you to a unique gastronomic experience!

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Colline Modenesi (Modena Hills) with my Personal Touch!

Welcome in My Own Italy again, my friends!
I'm about to introduce you to a place with soft, evocative and intense flavors: Hills of Modena, in Emilia Romagna region.

Modena Hills: Rosola (MO)

Tigelle with Prosciutto Crudo

I wish to lead you in the land of good food: prosciutto, the tigelle and the fried savory dough
(Gnocco Fritto), tortellini (Tortellini), good wine and the best known cheese world, Parmigiano Reggiano.
 

Parmigiano Reggiano... So good!

The land of the best welcome, of the friendliness and hospitality. 

I would like to take you on a journey troughout not so famous places, but very special indeed, rich in tradition and taste.

Follow me: www.myownitaly.com!
Are you ready?
Ok, please follow me... on the next pages: Shopping, Where to eat and...but before, take a look to Vignola Fortress  :-)

Vignola Fortress (Modena, Italy)

This is me at Vignola Fortress: Welcome!

Vignola is a medieval city overlooking the river Panaro.
You can see, right in the center of the city, the Fortress (Vignola Fortress), whose construction began even before the year AD one thousand, and that was the site of their own on a spur of rock.

Around the fourteenth century the castle was burned down, then became a very important property of the D'Este italian family.
Towards the end of the eighteenth century, the fortress became the property of the French, who had invaded the territory.
Be part owned by the city of Modena after several years, and in recent sixties a careful and expensive restoration work has begun.

When you reach the top, you can walk the round walkaways: they made possible the surveillance along the Fortress perimeter.

The Walkaways in the Tower

From the top of the main tower you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the hills and the River Panaro, including the town of Vignola: really great!

My Personal Touch from the main Tower of Vignola Fortress

 

The Leopard Room

I think you'll be pleased to know that the entrance to the Fortress is free: one more reason not to miss the must-see!