Acquaintance with Italy, many seek to start with Rome or Florence. However, there are not so famous, but noteworthy cities in central Italy that you should visit at least once in your life.
The most beautiful cities of central Italy - places to visit at least once in a lifetime, photo by Massimo Battesini
Familiarity with Italy, many travelers seek to start with Rome or Florence. These famous cities are well known to everyone. They are glorified all over the world - beautiful, as they often say now - "untwisted." However, there are not so famous, but noteworthy cities in central Italy that you should visit at least once in your life.
Emilia Romagna Region
Reggio Emilia
The freedom-loving Reggio Emilia went down in the history of the state as a city of rebels. Here, in the large hall of the City Assembly, the "Italian Tricolor" was approved - the flag of the Cispadan Republic, which in 1861 was declared the official flag of the united kingdom of Italy. The hall has since been named "Sala del Tricolore".
Reggio Emilia, photo by Alberto-Cima
Locals often call their hometown simply Reggio. Guests of Reggio should see the most beautiful city squares: Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) and Sq. St. Prospero (piazza San Prospero) with the Basilica of San Prospero. Of the secular objects, the most notable is the Teatro Municipale of the Romolo Valley.
How to get there
Reggio Emilia can be reached by train and bus. Milan trains come to the station (from Milan to Reggio about 1.5 hours); trains from Piacenza (about an hour), from Bologna (about 40-50 minutes). From Modena and Parma by rail can be reached in fifteen minutes.
Ferrara
Ferrara, photo by Stefania Gualandi
Another pearl of the Emilia Romagna region - Ferrara has been the most important cultural center of the country since the 15th century. The city owes its prosperity and resounding glory to the family of generous rulers-patrons of art d'Este. Many castles were built for this noble family in Ferrara. The most popular today is the castle of St. Michael - Castello Estense. A lot of architectural masterpieces and historical monuments have been preserved on the territory of the city: the Romanesque Cathedral of San Giorgio, the Lion Tower, the ancient university building, the palaces of aristocrats.
How to get there
Ferrara is usually reached by train: from Bologna in half an hour; from Florence - in 2-3 hours; in an hour and a half from Venice and in 1 hour and 15 minutes - from Ravenna. From Ferrara station to the center you need to go by ACFT buses No. 1, 2, 9.
Bologna (Bologna)
Bologna, photo by pierluigi maria broccoli
Bologna has several high-profile household names. For the predominance of a reddish color in the color of its buildings, the city is called "red Bologna"; for a varied and satisfying cuisine ironically called "fat woman". Twenty surviving medieval towers (out of 180 that once existed) brought Bologna the glory of a "tower city".
Bologna guests are advised to visit the City Hall - Palazzo Comunale. Here you can see the exhibition "arte Civica" - a large and substantial collection of paintings - from medieval canvases to paintings of the XIX century. It is worth seeing the central square of the city - Piazza Maggiore, built in the form of a square. The center of her architectural ensemble is the grandiose basilica of San Petroni.
How to get there
In Bologna there is Guglielmo Marconi Airport - it is located six kilometers from the center. The city center, airport and railway station are connected by a single bus route.
The station is located one and a half kilometers from Piazza Maggiore. Bologna is an important transport hub; trains run from it to all major Italian cities.
Tuscany Region
Arezzo (Arezzo)
Arezzo, photo by Michele Bigi
Arezzo is often called the capital of the Etruscans. Many unique examples of architecture and original medieval buildings have been preserved here. On the Piazza Grande square is the residence of the bishops of Palazzo Vescovile, of the 13th century, here is the famous palace of Cofani Britzolari. The pride of Arezzo is the temple of Pieve di Santa Maria with an unusual semicircular facade formed by arcade galleries.
Arezzo has many churches and ancient cathedrals. Among them there are priceless cultural monuments: the Cathedral of San Donato; Gothic basilica of San Domenico, the church of San Francesco with the famous fresco painting "Legend of the Holy Cross".
How to get there
The nearest airports to Arezzo are in Pisa and Florence. The city railway station stands in the very center. You can get from Florence by train in half an hour, and from the capital - in 2.5 hours.
From most Italian cities, Arezzo intercity buses run.
Lucca
Lucca, photo by Lucca
The beautiful romantic city of Lucca has much to be proud of. It is still surrounded by a genuine Renaissance fortress wall with eleven bastions. Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca - the composer's house has been open to the public since 2011 as a museum.
The ancient Amphitheater Square, which used to be the scene of gladiatorial battles in ancient times, later became the main market square. At Piazza dell'Anfiteatro stands the Basilica of San Frediano. An authentic Romanesque baptismal font made of white marble has been preserved in this temple.
The pearl of Lucca - the Cathedral of San Martino - an example of Romanesque architecture of the Pisa-Luccan school.
How to get there
A railroad runs through the city, connecting Florence, Pisa and Viareggio. The train goes to Lucca from Pisa for half an hour, from Florence - 2 hours. From the main city bus station, located on Verdi Square, CLAP buses leave for almost all Tuscan towns.
Siena
Siena, Optical illusion photo
Siena was also founded by the ancient Etruscans. The city has so far retained a genuine medieval flavor. The historic core of Siena is listed on the UNESCO Register. On the Duomo square stands the Cathedral of the XII century - a beautiful Roman-Gothic building with an elegant facade lined with colored marble. Tourists can see the unique details of the interior of the temple: inlaid marble floors; frescoes by Donatello, Ghirlandaio and Ghiberti. This cathedral is called by art critics as an indicative example of Italian Gothic.
The main square of the city is Piazza del Campo. Campo Square is decorated with the elegant Palazzo Pubblico with the rectangular high tower of Torre del Manja. Today, the City Museum is housed in the Pubblico Palace. The Campo Square hosts the traditional equestrian competition of the Palio di Siena twice a year - the Il Palio horse race. Competitions go on a national holiday, which lasts all night.
How to get there
You can fly to Siena by plane - Ampugnano Airport is nine kilometers from the city, flights from Olbia, Vienna, and Munich arrive there. Shuttle service shuttles run from Ampunagno to Siena Gramchi Square. You can also get to Siena by bus from the airports of Pisa, Florence or Bologna.
Siena Station is located near the center. There are electric trains from Empoli and a direct passenger train from Florence.
From the station to Plaza del Sale there are several bus routes - No. 3, 8, 10, 77. Bus No. 17 runs in both directions. Intercity routes arrive in Siena from many cities. From Rome to Siena, the bus takes about 3 hours, from Florence - 1 hour 20 minutes. By car, you can take the SS 222 Chianti road, passing through the Chianti hills, or take the SS 2 superstrada Siena Firenze.
Marche region
Urbino, photo Fabrizio Fabbroni
Urbino
The city of Urbino is a treasury of the Renaissance era. During the reign of the second Duke of Federigo da Montefeltro (1444-82), many buildings were built. Architects, artists, and artists gathered in Urbino.
The most famous building of that period was the Palazzo Ducale - the residence of urban rulers, built on a hilltop, dominating the ensemble of the historical center. This palace is considered the greatest architectural masterpiece of the Renaissance. In the XX century, the building was the municipality of Urbino; Since 1985, it has been converted into a museum complex.
The University of Urbin, founded in 1506, is considered one of the oldest in Europe. After the unification of the Italian state, he received the status of a free university.
How to get there
You cannot get to Urbino by train - the railway line does not pass through the city. You can only get on the bus from Pesaro (there is a railway station). You need to travel from Pesaro for about an hour - you can get there without any problems, 15 buses leave per day.
By car, drive along the S423 motorway leading from Pesaro and along the S73B, leaving the SS3 motorway leading to the capital. However, the car will have to be left in the parking lot near Urbino - they are not allowed to travel outside the city wall in private vehicles. Tourists get to the center by taxi or regular buses.
Umbria Region
Orvieto
Orvieto, photo by Yonca Evren
Orvieto is beautifully set among lush greenery on top of a volcanic hill. The most remarkable historical building of the city is the Gothic Duomo di Orvieto Cathedral with an openwork main facade decorated with magnificent mosaics; with side facades lined with contrasting strips of marble. The main masterpiece of the Duomo Cathedral is the San Brizio chapel, which is painted by the Last Judgment series of frescoes by Luca Signorelli.
Orvieto is famous for its underground labyrinth: a network of secret tunnels has long been hidden under the city. Today, organized groups of tourists admit into these secret corridors. The tourist office, in which excursions are formed, is located on Cathedral Square, opposite Duomo.
How to get there
In Orvieto, tourists get on a regional train that runs between Rome and Florence. You can drive from the capital in an hour, the journey from Florence will take about 2 hours. A cable car delivers guests from the station to the historic center. You can climb it for two minutes, then you can take a bus to Cathedral Square.
Lazio Region
Viterbo (Viterbo)
Viterbo, photo by Vittorio Guglini
In Viterbo, the medieval fortress wall surrounding the city center from the 11th-12th centuries is perfectly preserved. The San Pellegrino quarter also survived centuries with almost no destruction. The most remarkable buildings of the city are the Papal Palace and the Cathedral of St. Lorenzo, in which the remains of three pontiffs rest: John XXI, Adrian V, Clement IV. Of the secular buildings, it is worth seeing the city halls (Palazzo Kommunale, mid-15th century); Prefectures (XVIII century), Palazzo de Podesta (XIII century). Viterbo still has many fountains of the Gothic era. By the number of these ancient structures, not a single European city can be compared with Viterbo.
How to get there
Trains from Rome arrive in Viterbo every half hour - the journey takes about 1.5 hours. There are two railway stations in the city: Porta Romana and Porta Fiorentina. Information centers can be found there, where tourists are given information on any issues.
Abruzzo Region
Chieti
Chieti, photo by Luciano paradisi
According to legend, Chieti was founded by Achilles himself - it happened in the XII century BC. The city is considered one of the oldest in Italy and one of the most interesting in architectural terms. Many historical monuments and art from different eras have been preserved here.
Since the Middle Ages, Chieti Cathedral has been standing with priceless frescoes, an impressive altar and a monumental bell tower. This Gothic temple was founded in the XI century; it survived several destructive earthquakes and subsequent reconstructions. Tourists will be interested in the National Archaeological Museum, opened at Villa Frigerie. It houses a collection of pre-Roman artifacts found in urban areas.
How to get there
Chieti can be reached by plane - a direct bus to the city runs from Rome Fiumicino Airport; The road takes 4 hours.
From Tiburtina Roman Station there is an electric train to Chieti. The trip takes 4 hours. From Pescara to Chieti can be reached in fifteen minutes.
