Archive for 'Campania'

Pastiera is a cake which comes from the city of Naples in Campania. It was originally made and consumed during the pagan celebrations of the return of the Spring time. The modern pastiera, however, was probably invented in a Neapolitan convent. An unnamed nun wanted to make a cake with the aroma of the flowers of the orange trees which grew in the convent’s gardens and added this ingredient into the ancient recipe. Her recipe brought together wheat, ricotta, eggs (symbol of new life and resurrection), some water which had the fragrance of the flowers, candied citron and aromatic Asian spices. The dish took off and the nuns began to make the cakes for rich families in the area.

Eventually, it entered wider production and became available from bakers and shops and now can be purchased all over the city. Find a holiday rental in Naples and you can try it while wandering the historic treats. However, if you can't wait until then, try it out first using this recipe.

Castel dell' Ovo is a castle which stands on the tiny island of Megaride in Naples. The picturesque castle is steeped in myth and legend with stories about sirens and great Roman poets such as Virgil dotting its history. It also has far-reaching origins going back to this early period. With such a rich heritage, such a stunning location and such an immediately striking appearance, the Castel dell'Ovo is the perfect place to spend an afternoon in Naples, wandering its grounds, hearing its stories and admiring its architecture and the views its ramparts offer.

The story of Pompeii is somewhat familiar to most. It was one of two flourishing Roman towns (the other being Herculaneum) at the foot of the volcano, Vesuvius, when it erupted in 79AD. The towns were covered in ash and lava and buried under the earth until they were properly excavated from the 18th century onwards. From that moment onwards, Pompeii, in particular, became the object of international fascination as it saw the preservation of life thousands of years ago. Not only was the architecture, art and lifestyle of the time frozen but an instant in time remained paused for later generations to view and learn from. Unique and captivating, the two sites continue to draw millions each year.

The cathedral of Amalfi is located in the city's main square. As with many churches in Italy, it has ancient origins but has been rebuilt or renovated countless times throughout the centuries. This building, however, is one of the most memorable churches you will visit in the country. Approached by a sweeping stone stair and with a polychromatic Arabic-inspired exterior, which speaks to the heritage of the area, it has an immediate impact on the viewer. If you are a fan of architectural gems perched by the sea, then Amalfi is just the place for you.

Find a holiday home on the Amalfi Coast and have you breath taken away by the sights and surroundings.

Pizza evolved from flatbread dishes made in Naples in the 18th and 19th centuries. The archetypal flavour, Margherita, also comes from that part of the country and its origins are steeped in local legend. Supposedly, it was first made in 1889 when the Queen of Italy, Margherita, was visiting. The tale goes that the Royal Palace of Capodimonte commissioned Neapolitan pizzaiolo, Raffaele Esposito to produce a dish for the queen. He made three options and the queen favoured the one with tomatoes, basil and Mozzarella, recalling the colours of the Italian flag. The pizza was then named for the queen and continues to bear her name to this day. Though the legend has been disputed by scholars and recent research, the dish remains popular all over the world. However, the best place in the world to try it has to be in Naples itself. Find a villa with pool in Campania, visit Naples, give the real deal a try and be ruined for pizza outside of Italy forever more.