Matera is located in the southestern corner of Italy, people live in the same exact homes that their ancestors did 9,000 years ago. Matera was created from a rocky ravine and the many natural caves in the area – called the 'Sassi di Matera’ - were the first houses of the Neolithic inhabitants of the region. The caves create a labyrinth of houses, and it’s practically impossible to distinguish the natural rock formations from the ancient architecture. The houses seem to sprout from the rock in an organic way, creating somewhat of a tourist attraction from what was in the mid 20th century a ghost town. Matera was notably the setting for Mel Gibson’s film 'The Passion of the Christ’.
Apart from an economy which has traditionally been based on agriculture, in the late 1990s the major economic base of Matera, and of surrounding cities, is the production of upholstered furniture.
Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago.
To arrange your accommodation in Matera, check Booking.com for latest info on Hotels in Matera.
The ancient rock City of Matera, Italy...
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
San Gimignano, Italy
From 2010 New Year's Day, 3 days in Tuscany holiday, is unforgettable and really enjoyful trip in my life.
Four-season in Tuscany, are all attractive. Beautiful view even in the winter, maybe much more mysterious: a charming scenery, a green rurality, a fresh temporature, a bright sunny sky, amazing discovery...
San Gimignano in Tuscany, is one of the surprise on our trip. It rises on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (200-300 BC) it began its life as a town in the 10th century taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the village from the barbarian hordes. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it.
Four-season in Tuscany, are all attractive. Beautiful view even in the winter, maybe much more mysterious: a charming scenery, a green rurality, a fresh temporature, a bright sunny sky, amazing discovery...
San Gimignano in Tuscany, is one of the surprise on our trip. It rises on a hill (334m high) dominating the Elsa Valley with its towers. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village of the Hellenistic period (200-300 BC) it began its life as a town in the 10th century taking its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, St. Gimignano, who is said to have saved the village from the barbarian hordes. The town increased in wealth and developed greatly during the Middle Ages thanks to the "Via Francigena" the trading and pilgrim's route that crossed it.
It's called ''City of Towers''
San Gimignano is an important town in the Middle Ages due to its position on a trade and pilgrimage route, it was full of tall towers built by competitive and quarrelsome Tuscan families. Warring, the Black Death and the aggression of nearby Florence put a halt to the town's progress, and it remained a memorial to its 11th-13th century prosperity. There were once an incredible 72 towers rising above the town's rooftops. There are fewer towers nowadays, but the fourteen remaining are still impressive in the misty distance.In the Museo Civico/Pinacoteca you can see various paintings depicting the town in the days when it bristled with warlike skyscrapers. One depiction shows a miniature town in the lap of St. Gimignano himself, who - to judge by the illustrations of his life - seems to have been a very busy patron saint.
Hotels in San Gimignano, click and find great deals, good availability and best rates. You would must have a fantastic holiday in San Gimignano.
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