Say hello to Italy, which is a true haven for tourists from all over the world with its numerous attractions like the art galleries in Florence, the ruins of Rome, and the famous canals of Venice. Additionally, this European nation takes pride in the fact that there are more UNESCO World Heritage Sites here as compared to any other nations in the world. There are as many as 51 natural and cultural landmarks in Italy that constitute more than five percent of the global heritage list of UNESCO. The country has an incredible cultural wealth and so let us take a closer look at the top 10 most breathtaking UNESCO sites in Italy.
1. Val d'Orcia
Val D’Orcia, a heritage site in Italy, is one of the most scenic localities in Tuscany. Situated in the south of Siena, the spot is famous for its mesmerizing views, which have inspired an entire generation of painting called Sienese School, a distinct school of art and painting and have graced innumerable postcards. You will come across an impressive row of cypress trees here standing on the top of a rolling hill. Also, visit a small but lovely church set at the summit of the hill.
Val d'Orcia
Address: Province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Website: Val d'Orcia
Tip from tour guide
The most photographed places in Tuscany? Definitely Val d'Orcia with the small chapel Vitaleta and the Gladiator’s movie set.
Good news: you can visit both places surrounded by amazing silence and beauty in just one day. I'm talking about the hiking trail of 16 km starting from San Quirico in Val d’Orcia or Pienza. It's recommended to do this hike only from October until June. During the summer months, it's too hot.
Points of interest: Medieval town San Quirico in Val d’Orcia, Chapel of Madonna of Vitaleta, Pienza - a medieval town transformed into a Renaissance jewel on the commission of the pope Pius II born there. Pieve Di Corsignano, a medieval church with Romanesque reliefs on the entrance. Gladiator's movie set where one of the most known scenes were shot.
2. Piazza del Duomo
Designated as a UNESCO Heritage Site in Italy, Piazza del Duomo stands majestically in a huge green expanse. It houses a collection of famous monuments. All these four monuments are true masterpieces of the ancient architecture. These are the baptistry, the cathedral, the cemetery, and the Leaning Tower, the Campanile. All these four structures had a massive influence on the Italian monumental art during 11th -14th century. Piazza del Duomo is centrally located in the city of Florence.
Piazza del Duomo
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Website: Piazza del Duomo
3. 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta
The Royal Palace at Caserta was constructed in the 18th century and is an absolute treat for the visitors with the San Leucio Complex, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the Park. The palace was created by King Charles III of the Bourbon dynasty in the 18th century in an attempt to compete against the Royal Palace in Madrid and the Versailles. The monument is unique in a way as it brings together a majestic palace along with its natural woodland, gardens, a silk factory, hunting lodges, and a park.
18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta
Address: Caserta, Italy
Website: 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta
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4. The Trulli of Alberobello
The Trulli of Alberobello is a collection of limestone dwellings, which can be spotted in the southern part of Puglia. These dwellings are remarkable instances of drywall construction. It is a prehistoric technique of construction, which is still used widely in the locality. The dwellings are built out of limestone boulders gathered from the neighborhood fields. All these structures date back to the 14th century and feature conical, domed or pyramidal roofs constructed out of limestone slabs.
The Trulli of Alberobello
Address: Alberobello, Bari, Apulia, Southern Italy.
Website: The Trulli of Alberobello
5. Villa Adriana
Villa Adriana is situated right outside Tivoli and is a group of classical edifices built in the second century A.D. according to the instructions of Emperor Hadrian. It was a tiny town initially constituting of fountains, palaces, baths, and many other structures, which mimic a number of Egyptian and Greek architectural styles. Thus, these buildings fuse the finest elements that characterize the architectural heritage of Rome, Greece, and Egypt and created an ‘ideal city’.
Villa Adriana
Address: Largo Marguerite Yourcenar, 1, 00010 Tivoli RM, Italy
Website: Villa Adriana
6. Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco
Assisi is a medieval city and is the birthplace of the founder of the Religious Order of the Franciscans, St. Francis. The city was included to the World Heritage list of UNESCO in 2000. It was constructed on a hill and is known for its art masterpieces dating back to the medieval period with paintings done by artists like Giotto, Simone Martini, Pietro Lorenzetti, and Cimabue and the Basilica of San Francesco. All these artists have transformed Assisi into a basic reference point for developing the European and Italian architecture and art.
Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco
Address: Piazza Inferiore di S. Francesco, 2, 06081 Assisi PG, Italy
7. Herculaneum
It was in 79 A.D. when the eruption of Vesuvius took place, engulfing the flourishing Italian towns of Herculaneum and Pompeii along with several other affluent villas in the locality. The sights have been continuously excavated and have been open to the general public since the 18th century. While Pompeii was the more prominent town being a commercial hub, Herculaneum is smaller and yet has better-preserved remains in contrast.
Herculaneum
Address: Italy
Website: Herculaneum
8. Agrigento
Agrigento was set up in the sixth century B.C. as a Greek colony. It emerged as one of the important cities in the entire Mediterranean world. You can be privy to the pride and supremacy of this ancient town by exploring the remains of the majestic Doric Temples. These temples are a dominating feature of this ancient Italian town. Most of them are still concealed today under the orchards and the fields.
Agrigento
Address: Province of Agrigento, Italy
Website: Agrigento
9. Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre means five lands and constitutes of five small villages in the coastal region of Italy. These villages are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore and are situated in a region called Liguria in Italy. All these villages are included in the World Heritage list of UNESCO. There are trains at regular frequency linking all these five villages with one another. Another scenic albeit costlier choice are the boats that run on this coastal part of the country.
Cinque Terre
Address: Liguria, Italy
Website: Cinque Terre
10. Mount Etna
There are some sites, which are undoubtedly the most enchanting places on the earth. Mount Etna, can definitely be regarded as one of them. It is the highest volcanic mountain in Europe as well as one of the world’s most active ones. It has an impressive height overlooking the entire region. Its eruptions have been spectacular and have always managed to draw the attention of scientists and travelers from around the world. Mount Etna has been listed as UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 2013 for its planetary relevance and geographical peculiarities.
Mount Etna
Address: Province of Catania, Italy
Website: Mount Etna
Enjoy an exuberant vacation in Italy
Italy is truly a haven for travelers and holidayers from all over the world for is innumerable attractions as mentioned earlier. You just cannot miss out these top 10 UNESCO sites In Italy while planning for a vacation there.
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