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!



Montalcino: The Fortress and The Famous Brunello Wine

The Fortress of Montalcino (Siena, Italy)

Hello, my friends!
Welcome in My Own Italy, happy to let you discover Italy with My Personal Touch!

Today I'd like to tell you something about one of the most famous land of wine: Brunello di Montalcino .

Montalcino (Siena), The Fortress

Montalcino is located on a hill about 600 meters to the right of the Orcia river, about 40 km south-west of Siena, in Tuscany.
Origin of the first Etruscan and then Roman.

 
Its strategic location on the ancient Via Francigena was such that Montalcino rapidly acquired the structure of the military city with great defensive walls, numerous towers and the beautiful fortress that, despite the many sieges, was never conquered.
 

 

 Became a free city under the Guelphs, Montalcino fought almost all the wars of the Middle Ages is and Ghibelline factions and against both the nearby Siena until 1361 when it was granted to Montalcinesi Siena citizens.

The Fortezza was built in 1381 by Domenico di Feo and Mino Foresi and incorporates part of the walls and towers of the previous century.

 

Montalcino, The Fortress

The plant is irregular pentagon with slender corner towers. Inside, the spacious courtyard is now used as a theater for shows and cultural events.

Montalcino and Its Brunello Wine

Montalcino is known even (and mostly!) for the production of the Brunello Wine:  Brunello, a diminutive of "Bruno", a male given name which means brown, is the name that was given locally to what was believed to be an individual grape variety grown in Montalcino.

Wine Testing in Montalcino (Siena, Italy)

Brunello di Montalcino is made 100% from Sangiovese.

The Sangiovese grape is the most widely planted grape in the Montalcino region and is the only permitted grape in the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. 

Wine Shopping in Montalcino (Siena, Tuscany)

The particular clones of Sangiovese are unique to the Montalcino region and have developed in adaption to that area's specific terroir. 

Geraniums in The Fortress

The altitude and climate of the Montalcino region has provided an area where Sangiovese ripens more fully and consistently than anywhere else in Tuscany!

I hope you will enjoy this so famous italian wine... 

I'll wait for your suggestions and comments!

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Ciao, Carlotta

The Marche and the Spectacular Grotte di Frasassi

Grotte di Frasassi (Ancona, Italy)

Hello, my friends!
Welcome again on My Own Italy, and discover with me the beauty of Italy!
Today I'd like to talk about a spectacle of nature unlike any in the World: the Grotte di Frasassi.

Grotte di Frasassi, Entrance (Ancona, Italy)

The caves represent a journey full of surprises: about thirty kilometers long, on eight different levels of concentrations limestone that formed huge stalactites and stalagmites. Really a unique in nature! 

The tour of the caves open to the public is a mile long and a half.

Grotte di Frasassi

The first cave you can visit beginning the path is the one called "Ancona abyss."  Majestic, it is considered one of the largest in the world: its physical size is comparable to that of the Cathedral of Milan!

Parking @ Grotte di Frasassi (Ancona)

I'm sure it will be a so exiting experience for you too: I was so enchanted by the beauty of these caves.

Let me know what your experience will be!

 

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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!