Italy - the birthplace of modern Western civilization, the cradle of the Renaissance and the Renaissance. History of Italy from the first settlements of the Etruscans has over three thousand years. On a small peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea was born and reached its peak power of the Roman Empire, is going on here Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, Dante and Petrarch.
Modern Italy - one of the leading industrial nations of the European Union. Italian designers set the fashion world in the design and manufacture of products, garments, Italian engineering thought best represented by such concerns as Fiat and Olivetti.
Italy is the largest center of international tourism, more than 50 million people annually visit this sunny country. Tourism in Italy is one of the leading sectors of the economy and 12 per cent of GDP. The share of Italy has 5.6% of the world tourism market. According to this indicator the country is the third largest in the European Union after France and Spain.
In Italy, holds about 60% of the cultural values of Europe, almost every Italian city is a veritable museum of the history of the open. In addition to numerous monuments and ruins of the ancient Roman civilization, the country has excellent natural conditions - snow-white slopes of the Alps, the beautiful beaches of the Adriatic and Mediterranean coasts and charming lakes of the north. Rome is one of the biggest attractions of Italy and the world. It is located within the Vatican City State and the priceless monuments and ensembles of antiquity - the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Via Appia, the Arch of Septimius Severus, Basilica Emilia, the Curia, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the House of Vestals, the Temple of Vesta, the Temple of Romulus, the temple Castor and Pollux, the Basilica of Maxentius, Arch of Titus, Palatine, Domus Avgustana, Palazzo del Flavia Stadium, Hippodrome, a symbol of the city - the Colosseum, the ancient Hippodrome Circus-Maximus (Chirko-Massimo), the best-preserved ancient Roman building, and the best example of period architecture Adrian - Pantheon (about 125 AD. Oe.) Baths of Caracalla and many other great works. The monuments of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Baroque periods and no less diverse - Catacombs, which sheltered the early Christians from persecution, early Christian and medieval churches, decorated with magnificent mosaics, surrounded by grand palaces of Rome's most famous square - Piazza Navona with three fountains, Spain Square, Capitol Hill Fontana di Trevi, the Chapel of Santa Sanctorum, which is Scala Santa - ladder on which Christ was raised on the court of Pontius Pilate, the Jesuit church of Sant 'Ignazio, the Church of St. Lawrence (the patron saint of Rome), Santa Maria Maggiore , the Basilica of St. John Lateran (IV c., rebuilt in the XVII-XVIII centuries.), the Basilica of St. Paul (IV c.), the Basilica of St. Peter-in-Chains (V c., inside is a marble sculpture of Moses himself Michelangelo), the church of Trinita dei Monti (XV c.) Praksedy St., Santa Croce-in-Gerusalemme, Chapel of Santa Sanctorum, the Cathedral of St. John Cathedral of San Paolo Fuori le Mura (the cathedral St. Paul-outside-the-wall), Fort Castel Sant 'Angelo (originally built as a mausoleum of the Emperor Hadrian in the Middle Ages and rebuilt under the fortification), the fountain "Naiad" on the Piazza Repubblica and the fountain "Triton" on Piazza Barberini, Baths of Diocletian (IV c. BC. e.), turned on the project by Michelangelo in the church, as well as a myriad of other attractions that are essential to imagine the "Eternal City."
Museums and art galleries are also in Rome, world culture. Borghese Gallery has an excellent collection of antique and Baroque art. Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, - the most complete collection in the country of ancient art, coins and ancient mosaics. A separate building houses the best antique bronze sculptural work. Capitoline Museums on the same hill - it is a complex of art galleries and exhibition halls with a superb collection of antique sculptures and mosaics. Palazzo Barberini (the Museum of Ancient Art) - one of the country's finest collections of icons, portraits and other works of the great masters of the Renaissance. In the picturesque hills near the capital lies a recreation area of the Roman nobility and emperors. At Castel Gandolfo, on the spot of the legendary city of Alba Longa - the birthplace of Romulus and Remus, is a villa of the Pope. Nearby are unique crater lakes Alba and Nemi, giving the landscape a special charm. In Tivoli (30 km. From Rome) draw attention grandiose ruins of Hadrian's Villa (118 AD. E.), Called "Willie five hundred fountains." Villa d'Este (1550) is the grand object of landscape art. Also attractive lying nearby Villa Gregorian with magnificent waterfall (height of about 160 meters), caves and park. Lido di Ostia (28 km. From Rome) - formerly bustling port of the Roman Empire to the amphitheater, temples, paved roadways, and luxury Baths, near which there was a later town with seating area - sandy beaches, small hotels, a beautiful waterfront and many bars and restaurants.
Milan
- one of the oldest cities in the country. Mixing the Austrian, French and Italian cultures has contributed to this very unique works of art and architecture. Heart of Milan - a huge Piazza Duomo with the equestrian statue of King Vittorio Emmanuel II, the North Palace, at the Arc de Triomphe and the Gothic tracery of Milan Cathedral (1386-1813 gg.). At the highest spire of the cathedral rises the famous statue of the Madonna of gilt bronze height of more than 4 meters to the right of the cathedral is a building of the Royal Palace, which until 1138 served as the city hall, and then the ducal palace of Visconti. The palace was badly damaged by bombing in 1943, but rebuilt, and now here are the State Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of the Duomo. Not far from the cathedral, opposite the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in the form of a cross, the famous opera "La Scala". The glory of Milan are also church of Sant Ambrogio (IX-XV centuries.), The church of the monastery of St. Maurizio Maggiore, one of the most magnificent castles in Italy - Castello Sforzesco (XVI c.), The monastery of Santa Maria delle Grazie (XV in . in the dining room - painting "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci), the church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, the chapel of San Akulina, the early Christian church of St. Lorenzo mosaics IV., the Romanesque church of Santa Eustordzhio the pearl of the Renaissance - Chapel Portnari etc. Milan is rightfully proud of the unique pieces of art that are stored in its museums, such as the Brera Gallery ("Pinacoteca di Brera"), which is famous for its paintings, Museum Castello - a collection of ancient sculptures, frescoes and majolica Ambrosiana Art Gallery (" Pinacoteca Ambrosiana ") - a wide range of paintings. National Science and Technology Museum holds scientific projects of Leonardo da Vinci and exciting contemporary collections on the history of railways, aviation and navigation. Archaeological Museum has a collection of gorgeous Etruscan, Greek and Roman art. Poldi Pezzoli Museum - antique ceramics, one of the best collections of arms and armor in the world. Gallery of Modern Art ("d'Arte Moderna") - a great display of works by contemporary authors. In the vicinity of Milan located amusement park "Minitaliya" many beautiful lakes and modern track for F1 racing at Monza. In Verona, thousands of tourists are attracted Piazza Bra (I c.) - Ancient Roman arena, which is the second largest after the Colosseum, the church of San Zeno (V c.), The house and the tomb of Juliet, Erbe square-and-Signoria and Old Stone Bridge lock. Florence is not inferior to Rome in wealth and grandeur of its monuments. Among the most famous monuments of the city includes the Palazzo Vecchio ("Old Palace", 1299-1314 gg.), Piazza della Signoria, the building of the Uffizi Gallery, the Bargello Palace, Palazzo Pitti - the grandest palace in Florence, Church of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapel with tombs of the dukes, the cathedral and the monastery of San Marco, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella church Or San Michele and the observation deck on the Piazzale Michelangelo. One should visit the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (1296-1461 gg.), Giotto's Bell Tower (XIV c.) And the tower della Signoria, the Baptistery of San Giovanni ("Gates of Paradise"), with gilded bronze doors, the famous Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge") and the Church of Santa Croce (XIII-XIV centuries.) with the "Pantheon of Florence" - the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, Rossini, Dante, etc. And this is only a small part of the city's attractions! In Florence, a huge number of museums and parks. Uffizi Gallery - not only one of the oldest museums in Italy (1560), but also the most comprehensive and significant collection of Italian paintings in the world. Museum of San Marco is located in the building of an ancient Dominican convent (XIV c.) And famous frescoes and paintings of the great Dominican Fra Beato Angelico, (1395-1455 gg.) And Fra Bartolomeo, and keley Savonarola. Also of interest are the Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, Pitti Gallery in the Royal Apartments, Palatine Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of silver carriages Museum, the National Museum of the Bargello, the Archaeological Museum, the Palace Crocetta with extensive collection of ancient art, and the museum in the palace of the Medici Medici-Riccardi (XV c.). Venice is built on 122 islands connected by 400 bridges. This is a city-monument, which is any building can claim to be historical. Most Venetian streets, canals are so narrow that the walls of houses opposite can easily stretch his arms, with the buildings reaching a height of 7 floors. Shores of the canals virtually no - stately homes "grow" right out of the water. One of the main attractions of the city - the Grand Canal, passing through the city and having a length of about 4 km. with a width of up to 70 m Grand Canal leads to the central Piazza Venezia - Piazza San Marco with the same XI century cathedral and the famous palace (and prison) Palazzo Ducale. Scattered throughout the city huge number of ancient monuments - the famous "Golden Bridge" ("Rialto"), "Bridge of Sighs" and "Bridge of me," the building of the Old and New Procuratie, veneers Palace de Leon, a library, clock tower, bell tower Campanile with a viewing platform, and numerous palaces Venetian nobility, grand complex of the Arsenal, the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute, Frari basilica, the palace of the XV century Ca 'd'Oro ("Golden House") and the shopping street Mercerie. Many palaces are now museums, including such well-known collection, as Peggy Guggenheim Collection (the largest in Italy collection of contemporary art), Museum of Venice, the Naval Museum (model ships and modern weapons), Academy Gallery, City Museum Correr ( history and art collections), Society of St. Rocco School (painting by Tintoretto), etc. Venice and famous as the birthplace of the famous "Murano", located on the island of Murano museum, workshops and exhibitions of Venetian glass, and the church of St Mary and Donato (XII century.). Lido island resort has a nice sandy beach, and is known for its "municipal casino" - the world's only luxury casino, which can be reached only by water.Padua, founded around the VI. BC. e., home to one of Europe's oldest universities, and major scientific and cultural center of the Middle Ages, is now considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. From the area of Valle in different directions rays scatter narrow medieval streets, paved with rough stones. In the city center, opposite the Piazza del Santo, the house is located, which in the middle of the XV century. Donatello lived. Beautiful church of St. Anthony (the Basilica del Santo) - one of the main attractions of the city. Every year in June, marking the day revered by all Italians St. Anthony in Padua, pilgrims come from all over the world to see the embalmed body fragments of the saint, with whom in 1232 "decorated" the altar, and who still allegedly have miraculous properties. Palace Del Bo typical medieval architecture, which at the end of XVI century building of Padua University, serves the cause of education today. On the perimeter it is decorated with marble medallions with images of famous alumni and faculty of this "university" for its almost 800-year history. Many historic buildings in the city, allowing it to compete even in Florence and Milan.
Pisa is known for carefully clipped the bright green grass carpet Prat de Miracoli ("Field of Dreams"), on which rises the Baptistery, "leaning tower" campaign and the cemetery "Camposanto." This was a sacred place in the time of the Etruscans and the Roman era there was a Palladium. In 1063, in honor of the victory of the Pisan fleet in the harbor of Palermo Palladium began to build the foundation of the cathedral to commemorate the victory of the "Sea of the Republic." And almost immediately the new building started to list, becoming the most popular tower in Italy, attempts to "rescue" which continues to this day. Now Pisa Cathedral Square is unmatched in the world.
The pearl of the south of Italy is Naples ("Neapolis" - New City), situated in a picturesque location on the shore of the Bay of Naples. The city has incorporated a variety of languages and cultures, creating a unique "Neapolitan style." Naples is the hallmark of the volcano Vesuvius, at the foot of which is the city. During the Roman Empire, the area was known as the resting place of the nobility, which built here baths and stadiums, houses and theaters. By the XIX century. surrounding coast has become a traditional destination for aristocrats and bohemians, including Russian. Clean sea, mountain air, a lot of hot springs and rich culture, attracting many visitors to Naples, but the city is the most overcrowded and one of the most urbanized in Europe. In Naples, numerous churches and museums - the Royal Palace (XVII c.), Chapel of St. Januarius (San Gennaro, the patron of the city) with the holy relics, the museum and gallery Kampodimonte, National Museum di San Martino dei Dzhirolamini gallery, Museum Kiostro di Santa Chiara, historical apartment Palazzo Reale, San Carlo theater, etc. There is an archaeological museum and the largest in Europe - National Archaeological Museum, famous for its unique collection of exhibits that tell about the life of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius. Located near Naples, Europe's largest wholesale trade center "System of Nola," the resort island of Capri, Ischia and Ventoten a children's recreation center Castro-ache and the popular resort of Sorrento. The natural wonders of the area can be attributed di Pertoza caves, 70 km. of Salerno, which about 35 million years.
A characteristic feature of the Italian ski resorts - combining several ski areas in one large ski area with a single system of lifts. This is great for tourists, but often quite confusing - where the boundaries between the resorts, no one knows - so tightly equipped slopes and so easy transition from one great snow fields at least another beautiful slopes. The most prestigious resorts of the country are concentrated in the Dolomites. Highland Dolomiti Super Ski resorts from Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Alta Badia, Arabba, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Kronplatz, Alta Pusteria, Val di Fiemme, San Martino di Castrozza, Valle Isarco, Tre Valli and Civetta - is 1180 km. slopes and 464 ski lifts. To the west of Trento is a beautiful area of Dolomiti di Brenta - Madonna di Campiglio, Pinzolo, Val di Sole, Passo Tonale and Monte Bondone> - 260 km. slopes and 103 ski lifts.
In Val di Fassa are three ski region. Sella Ronda is literally surrounded by resort towns (Kanaz, Campitello, Alba and Peña) and entangled thread lift - plenty of room in the 477 km. served by 13 cable cars, 12 cabins, 85 chair lifts and rope tows 105.
Val Gardena - is fabulous valley stretching over 15 km. at the foot of the Sassolungo ("Long Stone"), including three resort towns - Ortisei, Santa Cristina (1466 m) and Selva Gardena (1563 m.) All trails are connected by a continuous web slopes and lifts with heights from 2518 to 1563 meters, so you can go from one ski area to another without removing skis. Through the Passo Gardena offers easy access to the neighboring area of Alta Badia (height - 2138-1433 m, 39 lifts) to the resorts Kolfosko and Corvara. The height of the Val Gordy about 1563 m, where 77 lifts, 175 km. trails, discos, bars, restaurants, shops, skating rinks and swimming pools. In the center of Ortisei operates indoor tennis and squash courts, as well as a riding school and a local history museum, a large part of the exhibition is dedicated to the art of the local wood carving. Nearby is the picturesque Renaissance castle and Fishburg (XVII c.).