Archive for 'Tourist Attractions'

The pretty town of Pordenone is the main comune of the province of Pordenone in the northeastern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Settlements have dotted the surrounding area since the time of the Romans but the town of Pordenone itself was not actually established until during the Middle Ages, when it was founded as a port town on the Noncello river. In fact, the town's very name comes from the Latin Portus Naonis, meaning “port on the Noncello River”.

Like the rest of Italy, the town passed through plenty of different hands and rules throughout the ages and by the 13th century, it came into the possession of the Habsburg family. It flourished over the next few decades and gained city status in 1314. In the 16th century, it came under the rule of the Republic of Venice and a new port was built in town. Annexed to Italy in 1866, the town further flourished under industrialisation and though the failure of the cotton sector threatened the town's prosperity in the early 20th century, the raising of local firm Zanussi to the status of a world giant of household appliances after WWII helped stabilise the economic situation. In 1968, the city became the capital of the province of the same name.

The Castello di Gorizia, or Castle of Gorizia, is an 11th century beauty located on a hill that both boasts an amazing panoramic view over Gorizia and is positioned close to the heart of its centre. First recorded in a document from 1001, the castle grew in size and power over the years. Today, the building largely reflects enlargements and changes made between the 13th and 16th centuries. However, during World War I the castle was bombed and badly damaged, leaving little more than a ruin and was actually rebuilt in 1934-37, following its original 16th century design. This was effectively executed and the castle still retains an authentic medieval appearance.

Ravello is a southern Italian town on the famous Amalfi Coast that is perched high above the ocean and boasts a panorama that Gore Vidal once described as “the most beautiful in the world.” It is a refined, polished town that has Roman and Medieval roots and reflects a diverse range of historic styles in its architectural identity. However, one of the town's most beautiful buildings is a far more recent addition.

Maiori is a fishing town and peaceful bathing resort on the Amalfi Coast that boasts one of the largest beaches in the area, a colourful nightlife, great restaurants, cute shops, and plenty of pretty buildings. Once the Republic of Amalfi's principal port, with streets lined with stunning patrician palazzi, in the Middle Ages King Filippo IV even declared the town the Città Regia.

Located at the mouth of the valley of Tramonti, the town is said to have been founded by the Etruscan Lucumone Reghinna, though there is debate about whether the Romans, Etruscans or Greeks were the actual founders.

Its ancient name is Reghinna Major, in contrast to the nearby town of Reghinna Minor (called Minori today). Reghinna Major and Reghinna Minor were actually the names of two rivers, with Maiori having been built at the mouth of the Reginna Major river.

Isola San Giulio is a beautiful little island located on Lake Orta in the Northern Italian region of Piedmont. Perfectly picturesque, it is a wonderful sight that must be seen with your own eyes to be believed and paints an image similar to the famous island of Bled in Slovenia. If you have found a vacation rental in Piedmont, it is a must-see.