most beautiful places and events in Italy

history and typical food in Civitella del Tronto

2011-08-19T03:41:00.000-07:00

Civitella del Tronto, on the border between Marche and Abruzzo is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, known for its history (Civitella was the last stronghold to fall in 186, three days after the proclamation of the 'Unity of Italy'). Civitella del Tronto, will host this year "Between history and tastes," ("tra storia e sapori", in italian); the event, dedicated to the rediscovery of the places, knowledge and unique flavors, bound in Civitella del Tronto and its history.
From 19 to 21 August 2011 (from 7 pm. till late at night), the city will turn into a large exhibition space where guests will discover Abruzzo producers of the many typical regional food. You can taste the excellent wine from Teramo, salamis and cheeses, mushrooms and truffles of the "Monti della Laga", jams, honey cakes from Abruzzo (typical recipe).
There will also the cultural aspect: Friday 19 at 21.15 and at 22.30, some actors walking through, the historical events of Carlo Pisacane in Spanish stronghold, illustrating the beauty and architecture of the bastille (one of the most impressive works of military engineering never produced in Italy).
In subsequent evenings you can admire the works of the 54th Venice Biennale Pavilion Italy-Abruzzo, in the stronghold as well as the exhibition "Civitella 1861. The final act for the unification of Italy - the scene of the siege weapons." The tours are free, and every hour, you can visit the impressive bastille in the moonlight and torches.

the "fake bull" : carnival in Offida

2011-08-18T10:13:00.000-07:00

Carnival is celebrated in a special way in the ancient town of Offida ( where every year there is the traditional carnival Friday dedicated to the famous "fake ox" (bove finto, in italian)

When it comes to Carnival, come to mind the masks of Venice Viareggio orchariots, but in the Marches' popular tradition has left some local events that the younger generations have taken and continue to bring to life.

In the case of Offida (province of Ascoli Piceno, Marche's ) characteristic town, Carnival is famous for "Bove Finto" or to put it in dialect "Lu Bove finte".

This is a race through the streets of the old town along a very special bull, ( fake) which is driven by people wearing the typical Offida's wear

The origin of this event is not 'known, according to some it would be a revival of Spanish bullfighting (corrida) , for others it would be a local custom designed to supply the tables of the poor on the day of carnival.

According to some books, until the first decades of 1800, the ox was true, then in the early 900 has switched to using a fake animal

You can better understand what we're talking, watching this video

return to the Knights Templar at "Templaria Festival" in Castignano

2011-08-17T17:45:00.000-07:00

Templaria is a festival on the medieval civilization, with theater, music and dance, which takes place between the ancient stone houses of the village of Castignano (about 15 km from Ascoli Piceno, 200 km from Rome ), and provides an opportunity to rediscover and re-emergence of their memory.
Around the theme of the Templars is a structured program full of shows, with productions of medieval environments, old shops of artisans and art, banquets markets.
You may wonder what this town has special standing atop one of the gullies, typical of the territory of Ascoli Piceno. First, its history, whose testimony has been among the stones of the Church of St. Peter and Paul built on '"Acropolis" of the country with fourteenth-century structure, with a Romanesque façade almost square, adorned with a magnificent rose window spokes and travertine columns, on the left of which abuts the fourteenth-century bell tower, the interior is divided into two aisles surmounted by two large arches. On the walls are wooden baroque altars and a fine choir, also in wood, of the fifteenth century.
There was talk at the beginning of the Templars, the reader will wonder, therefore, that relationship may exist between these characters and the mysterious town of Castignano. One possible answer lies in the Church of St. Maria del Borgo, built precisely in the twelfth century by the Knights Templar, the Romanesque-Gothic style, is adorned with two magnificent arched portals of which a slightly acute frames with geometric decoration in terracotta tile above the T (tau), symbol Order of Knights Templar. In memory of the presence of the Templars, next to the Church, runs the longest being Castignano "Templars Way", it runs between two rows of houses, narrow, narrow, mysterious. The presence of the Templars in Castignano is certain because the country was the nodal point of transit for pilgrims from Rome moved to the ports of embarkation for the Holy Land.
They left a significant influence in the history, economy and tradition of charming Piceno.
The Templars returned to live in Castignano, as every year, with the Templaria Festival, which for the 2011 edition provides a series of events from August 16 until August 19.
Information: www.templaria.it