Venice, the River Brenta: the ancient and noble Villa Pisani

Villa Pisani, River Brenta, Venice

Welcome, my friend!
I'm so happy to stay with you and share my personal emotions and experience in My Own Italy! 

Villa Pisani (Venice)

Today I'd like to introduce you to a magic and romantic place:
Villa Pisani.

Villa Pisani, also named The Nazionale, is certainly one of the most famous examples of Venetian Villa along the Brenta banks. It is situated in the municipality of Stra, in the province of Venice.

The Pisani of St. Stephen, who were responsible of the construction of this villa, were an important branch of the family Pisani, an ancient Venetian noble family.  

The bedroom of Napoleone

They were enriched enormously during the fourteenth century thanks to the trade and real property gains. 

In 1807 Villa Pisani became Napoleone Bonaparte’s property, in fact he bought it from the Pisani family and sold it then to the Italian Viceroi Eugène de Beauharnais.

Carlotta @ Villa Pisani

If you want to visit this masterpiece of eighteenth-century, I suggest you to expect at least half a day of quiet time to visit the interior of Villa Pisani and enjoy the pleasure of the beautiful garden: the park of Villa Pisani as been awarded in the 2008 as “the most beautiful park in Italy”.

The Orangerie, Villa Pisani

The park offers incredible scenarios, original architectures, green houses and also the famous labyrinth.

At the end of the park there is the "orangery". In fact, according to mythology, Hercules was so strong because he ate citrus.

For this reason, each Doge or the King wanted to eat citrus all year also in cold climates: they  created the greenhouses in winter to keep the lemon and orange trees!

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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!

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 aristocratic Brianza: Villa Gallarati Scotti

Villa Gallarati Scotti, Vimercate (Monza, Italy)

My friends, welcome in My Own Italy!

Villa Gallarati Scotti, Interior

If you like to breathe the air of nobility, if you are enchanted by the magnificence of the Italian aristocracy, well...  I suggest you to visit Villa Gallarati Scotti, a few steps from Milan.

Villa Gallarati Scotti, The Garden

Located in the north of Milan, in the beautiful and rich Brianza, represents the baroque magnificence.

This is the grandest of the numerous 18 th century pleasure Villas that were built in this area. 

This magnificent baroque building was radically transformed along neo-classical lines between the end of the 18 th century and the beginning of the 19 th by the architect Simone Cantoni.

Villa Gallarati Scotti (Italy), the Nynphaeum of Neptune

Of its previous plan, the Villa retained the wide U-shaped front courtyard with its monumental entrance from the village square, with two lateral classical temples. 

The interior comprises large, richly and harmoniously decorated reception rooms. 

At the rear of the villa there is a large English-style park, at whose northern end stands the Nymphaeum of Neptune.

Me in the interiors of the Villa

I hope you'll enjoy... Actually, I  played to make the guest in Villa: It was not so bad!!

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Ciao, Carlotta!

My Own Italy: Tuscany, Montepulciano & Val di Chiana

Tuscany countryside With My Personal Touch

Welcome my friends in My Own Italy: today I'll introduce you to the land of the richest traditions of the Italian territory.

Val di Chiana (Arezzo), Tuscany

I'm talking about Tuscany and Montepulciano the land of the most famous wines, olive oil more fragrant, the beautiful landscapes, medieval villages. 

Montepulciano,Tuscany

 

I'm talking about the birthplace of the literature, of modern financial activities of the oldest banks.

 

I'm talking about My Own Italy: Tuscany with my Personal Touch! 


Montepulciano is situated in the province of Siena (Tuscany). The town is located about 600 meters above sea level, between the Val di Chiana and the Val d'Orcia.

Montepulciano, Pulcinella Tower, sec XVI

Montepulciano is also famous for its wealth of excellent vineyards from where we get the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.

Montepulciano vineyards, Tuscany

Here you are surrounded by a landscape graced by the clever man that is in harmony with the natural environment. 

The urbanization coexists with rural towns full of historical memories and wonderful works of art, all set in an agricultural landscape, often highly specialized. 

 Our thoughts turn naturally to the gentle hills covered with olive trees and vineyards, the Val di Chiana, recovered again from the great works of rehabilitation of the Grand Duke.  
 

Montepulciano, Tuscany

In this area of southeaster Tuscany there are mixed forest of pines, oaks and chestnut trees.


The vineyards in Montepulciano dates back to Etruscan times, but the first written document dates to 789.  

Wine and oil shop in Montepulciano

The production of fine wines on the Mons Politianus was already settled in the Middle Ages to the mid-fourteenth century the city enacted rules to regulate trade and export.

Vineyards in Montepulciano

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is now protected by a consortium that brings together all the wineries.

 

Val di Chiana, Tuscany

The Rosso di Montepulciano has the same blend of Vino Nobile but also allows other authorized grape varieties in the area.

I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in this land, and I was a guest od Relais La Solaia: read more about this on My Own Italy in Where to sleep page!

If you are interested in having a particular gourmet experience, I suggest you to visit my personal  "Where to Eat" page: find out "Lo Steccheto" and enjoy!

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Ciao,  Carlotta!

Turin: La Venaria Reale, The Reggia and The Gardens

La Venaria Reale, The Reggia

"Who sees Turin and not Venaria, sees the mother and not the daughter" (Italian proverb).

Venaria: the Square is a fine example of Baroque architecture

Welcome in My Own Italy! If you are in Turin I suggest you to follow me in this small village, so that you can admire The Reggia.

Typical Restaurant in Venaria

 La Venaria Reale, declared part of UNESCO’s World Heritage, lies at the heart of the Circuit of Royal Residences of Piedmont and it is connected to other Royal Residences in the vicinity and to Turin’s concentric Museum District.

The elegant Savoia Knot

La Venaria Reale  was designed and built in a few years (1658 - 1679) by architect Amedeo di Castellamonte. It was commissioned by Duke Carlo Emanuele II, who wanted to make the base for hunting in hilly moorland Turin.

La Venaria Reale, The Gardens (Turin, Italy)

The gardens of the palace are completely disappeared by the French when Napoleon turned them into the parade ground: very significant work of the complex was lost forever.  

We have the designs of the era, showing the beautiful Italian garden which was divided into three terraces connected by stairways and spectacular architecture (like the clock tower of the first court) that connect them: the fountain of Hercules, the semi-circular theater and grounds.

La Venaria Reale, The Garden: The Magnificent Fountain of Hercules

The La Venaria Reale Project, promoted by the European Union and coordinated by the Ministry for the Cultural Heritage and Regione Piemonte, was the largest restoration project in Europe concerning a cultural asset.

La Venaria Reale, The Gardens

It aimed to revive the baroque splendour that inspired Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy and now once again a symbol of modernity and culture. 

The Fountain

The Gardens of La Venaria Reale excel among the Italian gardens for the prospects offered by the magnificence and the magnitude of natural landscape surrounded by forests of the Park La Mandria and the mountains of the Alps.

My sons & I @ La Venaria Reale: CIAOOOOOOO!

Since its opening in 2007, La Venaria Reale has become one of Italy’s five most visited cultural sites... Enjoy!

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Borromean Islands, Lake Maggiore (Italy)

 

Isola Bella, Borromean Islands (Lake Maggiore, Italy)

Hello my friends! Welcome in My Own Italy!
Today I'd like to introduce you to a real gem in Italy: I'm talking about the Borromean Islands, in the Lake Maggiore (in the North of Italy).

Borromean Islands

The three Borromean Islands in the heart of the Gulf opposite Stresa are uniquely picturesque and eternally fascinating.

I visited the wonderful villa of Borromeo family and I was really abducted, captured by such elegance and richness!!

Borromean Villa @ Isola Bella

In 1632, Count Vitaliano Borromeo began the construction of the monumental Baroque palace and the majestic and scenic gardens, which have made the island famous and which to this day bear witness to the splendours of an era.

Tapestry Room

The Borromeo family home offers visitors an elegant and sumptuous setting, and it contains priceless works of art such as tapestries, furniture, statues, paintings, and stuccoes. It also has an unusual mosaic grotto, a cool and delightful place.  (Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore)

Outside the wonderful garden

Once you have visited the palace, there is access to the garden for a pleasant walk.....

View from the Palace with My Personal Touch!

The gardens form an extraordinary, flowered monument laid out over a series of ornate and overlapping terraces, a classic and inimitable example of seventeenth century "Italian garden". 

The Garden at Borromean Palace (Isola Bella)

The garden contains many rare and exotic plants, and the spectacular blossoming is planned to ensure that it is filled with colours and scents from March until October.

White Peacocks @ Isola Bella



You can also enjoy the beautiful white peacocks and their incredible wheel: absolutely beautiful!

I'm sure will be a fantastic journey across History and typical Italian landscape .



My sons and I @ Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore

Enjoy a unique day on Lake Maggiore!!
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