Cesaro
Mountain village with a view of Mount Etna
Cesarò is an Italian municipality with about 2,300 inhabitants on the Italian island of Sicily. The area of Cesarò extends partly on the north slope and partly on the south side of the Nebrodi Mountains. It includes the most suggestive stretch of Mount Nebrodi, which includes the highest peak in the chain, Monte Soro, and the lakes Biviere and Maullazzo. The distance to the big cities (70 km to Catania, 115 km to Messina, 130 km to Palermo) makes Cesarò a remote region in the province of Messina, which is especially difficult to reach in the cold winter months.
Christ statue instead of a summit cross
The main economic activities in the area are agriculture, livestock and handicrafts. The main fruits and vegetables grown here are olives, citrus fruits, legumes and grapes. Sheep, cattle and horse breeding is also widespread. There are not many documents regarding the age of the village, but it is known that in 1334 Frederick II of Aragona gave the village to Cristoforo Romano, whose family owned it until 1643. The mother church, built in the baroque era, is artistically significant, as is the baroque church of S. Calogero, the ruins of Castel Colonna and Castel di Bono. The festival for S. Calogero, the patron saint of the area, is very unusual. It will take place on June 18 and December 31. August takes place and the statue of the saint is brought to the highest part of the city by the young people on these days. The main attraction of the medieval town that stretches up the mountain, however, remains the impressive all-round view and the view of Mount Etna.
Via Appia Antica
Discover the other side of Rome
Rome is certainly one of the most popular destinations for a city break. After all, the Italian capital has countless sights to offer. One of the city’s insider tips for tourists is the Via Appia Antica, which can be reached in just a few minutes from the city center.
Rural idyll with evidence from 2,500 years of history
This was already known in ancient times as the “Queen of the Roads”. Along the approximately 18 km long archaeological hiking trail, which shows the course of the ancient Via Appia, numerous well-preserved tombs and many small and large historical buildings can be seen away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. At the end of the 1980s, the Via Appia Antica National Park was founded to ensure the preservation of the historical buildings. In the area along the street you can see the remains of a 250-meter-long antique horse racing track, the so-called Circus Maxentius, or the impressive tomb of Romulus. The national park is a real paradise not only for tourists from all over the world, but also for archaeologists. The numerous attractions of the Via Appia Antica can be explored, some of which are still made of antique cobblestones, on foot or by bike. If you want, you can learn more about the history of the Via Appia Antica on a guided tour. Among other things, the San Callisto catacombs, which were built in the 2nd century, can be explored here.
Glurns
Surrounded by a picturesque natural landscape and majestic mountains, the small town of Glurns has an eventful history in the South Tyrolean Vinschgau. The smallest town in the Alpine region has had town charter since 1304 and has developed into an important market town. Old arbor lanes, stately churches, historic town houses and ancient treasures bear witness to an impressive past. Glurns is undoubtedly a place full of surprises. The medieval jewel in the Upper Venosta Valley lies below the mystical Tarscher Bühl on the Reschen Pass.
Glurns – mystical, mysterious, steeped in history
Over the centuries Glurns was an important traffic junction. In 1291 Glurns was granted market rights, developed into a locally important trading town and at the same time became the seat of the court. The protective, surrounding, still completely preserved city wall testifies to the former importance, which is still the only city in Vinschgau today. History comes to life here. The mighty city walls could not always ward off disaster. Glurns experienced many fateful moments over the centuries: wars, floods, epidemics and looting; not to forget the devastating Calvenschlacht in 1499. Always concerned about reconstruction and preservation, Glurns is today an outstanding architectural jewel.
A magical city stroll
The place has around 900 inhabitants and is the smallest city in Italy. The town attracts countless visitors every year. On a tour of Glurns, you shouldn’t ignore the church tower either. The picturesque townscape is determined by the city wall of South Tyrol built in the 16th century. The imposing gates and defense towers, but also the old houses, narrow streets and noble properties give the city a very special atmosphere. It is understandable that Glurns has served as a backdrop for feature films several times. This beautiful place in South Tyrol has by no means sunk into a deep slumber. Many trading companies invite you to be amazed and rummage – handicrafts still have a tradition here. The Laubengasse, the core and center of the high medieval city, is a real gem. The Tauferer Torurm houses an exhibition on the most famous son of Glurns, the artist Paul Flora. Glurns has many faces and can tell many stories. During the night of culture, the city looks particularly lively and invites you to go on legendary hikes, city tours, pub music, art exhibitions and concerts.
Tip: With the Vinschgerbahn you can comfortably reach the neighboring villages of the wonderful valley. Meanwhile, the extensive network of cycle paths invites you to go on wonderful excursions.
