Beautiful Italian Cities
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 22 September 2023
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There are so many Beautiful Italian Cities that this page could have been almost endless. In the end I've come up with a list of twenty four cities that would grace any itinerary of the country that you may be considering.
I've listed the cities below in order of their overall appeal and importance in terms of sightseeing. This is all based on my own personal opinion and experiences remember and none of these lists can ever be set in stone, but having visited every city in Italy, you should find this a fairly well-rounded snapshot of this category. |
Piazza del Duomo, Syracuse
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This list is of course separate to the list of Major Cities in Italy which features the twenty most populous cities in the country, most of which would also feature as the most beautiful but for the sake of page length, I've made those lists separate.
I've started with two jewels from Tuscany, both of which you're likely to have heard of. Pisa is famous for its leaning tower but there's much more to it than that. The tower is situated on the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the beautiful Pisa Cathedral and Pisa Baptistery. Away from these main sights, this is a living, breathing city with a fascinating history, split in its centre by the River Arno.
It was a tough call between Pisa and the second listing from Tuscany which is Siena. History sweats from every pore of the city's medieval core, the centrepiece of which is the incredible Piazza del Campo, which I've chosen as the Best Square in Italy in a separate category. The sloping Piazza is oval-shaped and the stage for one of the most colourful events in the Italian calendar: the Palio horserace which dates back to the 17th century. Climb the Torre del Mangia for the best possible view down on to the Piazza and the rest of Siena with the beautiful Tuscan countryside as the backdrop. Siena's Cathedral is also one of the finest in the country, built in a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles so typical of the best Tuscan churches.
Another UNESCO city comes in at number three on this list: Ravenna in the Emilia Romagna region was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and as such, was lavished with extravagant artwork from the Byzantine era. There are eight separate UNESCO sites in Ravenna including the magnificent Basilica di San Vitale and the Neonian Baptistery with their intricate and dazzling mosaics.
In 4th position we head to the southern region of Puglia, and to Lecce, often dubbed as "The Florence of the South". Lecce does though have a style all of its own, and its own architectural movement known as Lecce Baroque. The history of Lecce stretches back much further than the Baroque era though and the Roman Amphitheatre in the city centre is just one tangible piece of evidence of that.
I've started with two jewels from Tuscany, both of which you're likely to have heard of. Pisa is famous for its leaning tower but there's much more to it than that. The tower is situated on the Piazza dei Miracoli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the beautiful Pisa Cathedral and Pisa Baptistery. Away from these main sights, this is a living, breathing city with a fascinating history, split in its centre by the River Arno.
It was a tough call between Pisa and the second listing from Tuscany which is Siena. History sweats from every pore of the city's medieval core, the centrepiece of which is the incredible Piazza del Campo, which I've chosen as the Best Square in Italy in a separate category. The sloping Piazza is oval-shaped and the stage for one of the most colourful events in the Italian calendar: the Palio horserace which dates back to the 17th century. Climb the Torre del Mangia for the best possible view down on to the Piazza and the rest of Siena with the beautiful Tuscan countryside as the backdrop. Siena's Cathedral is also one of the finest in the country, built in a mixture of Romanesque and Gothic styles so typical of the best Tuscan churches.
Another UNESCO city comes in at number three on this list: Ravenna in the Emilia Romagna region was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire and as such, was lavished with extravagant artwork from the Byzantine era. There are eight separate UNESCO sites in Ravenna including the magnificent Basilica di San Vitale and the Neonian Baptistery with their intricate and dazzling mosaics.
In 4th position we head to the southern region of Puglia, and to Lecce, often dubbed as "The Florence of the South". Lecce does though have a style all of its own, and its own architectural movement known as Lecce Baroque. The history of Lecce stretches back much further than the Baroque era though and the Roman Amphitheatre in the city centre is just one tangible piece of evidence of that.
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Pisa
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Unmistakeable the world over, the Leaning Tower of Pisa draws vast swathes of visitors to the Piazza dei Miracoli where the Cathedral and Baptistery show that Pisa has much more to offer.
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Siena
Piazza del Campo, Siena
Siena's Piazza del Campo is number one on my list of Squares in Italy but as you look down from the towering Torre del Mangia, the city's other delights including the Cathedral leave you breathless.
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Ravenna
Basilica di San Vitale, Ravenna
With an incredible eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ravenna demands attention. The exploration of those sites provides scenes that you'll never forget with the incredible Byzantine mosaics.
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Lecce
Piazza del Duomo, Lecce
Few cities can boast their own architectural style, but Lecce has its own Baroque and much more besides. The pearl of Puglia's Salento region, Lecce is a city awash with history and elegance.
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We head north again for city number 5: the glorious Mantova (Mantua in English) in the region of Lombardy. Mantova was once the stronghold of the powerful Gonzaga family who spent heavily on the city centre during the Renaissance period. Among the sights here is the imposing Palazzo Ducale which is flanked by the Castello di San Giorgio. Beautiful piazzas and churches fill the rest of the city which sits on a promontory, flanked by lakes on either side.
Sicily's first entry on this list is the city of Syracuse; once one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia, it has some of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the country. Chief among those is the Greek Theatre of Syracuse which is situated in an archaeological park along with a later, Roman Amphitheatre. Syracuse lies on the Ionian Sea with the prettiest part of the city known as Ortigia, a small island which is separated from the mainland by a very narrow channel. The centrepiece of Ortigia is Piazza Duomo upon which you'll find the incredible Syracuse Cathedral; I use the word incredible without hesitation here because it really is: it was originally built in the 5th century BC as a Greek temple before being converted to a Christian church, then a mosque and back to a church again by the conquering Normans.
Umbria is one of the central regions of Italy and its capital is Perugia. Famed for its "Baci" chocolates, Perugia dates back to the Etruscans but it's to the medieval period that it owes its most eye-catching architecture. The centrepiece of the city is Piazza IV Novembre where you'll also find Perugia Cathedral, but away from these sights, this is a city in which you can happily lose yourself, exploring its narrow passageways and steps.
The northern Italian region of Lombardy accounts for no fewer than six cities on this list and the next of those is Pavia. Another city which owes its beauty to the medieval and Renaissance periods, Pavia can boast one of the world's oldest universities while its main sights include a series of attractive squares such as Piazza della Vittoria, the beautiful Pavia Cathedral and most iconic of all, the covered bridge known as Ponte Coperto (literally - "Covered Bridge") which spans the River Ticino.
Sicily's first entry on this list is the city of Syracuse; once one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia, it has some of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the country. Chief among those is the Greek Theatre of Syracuse which is situated in an archaeological park along with a later, Roman Amphitheatre. Syracuse lies on the Ionian Sea with the prettiest part of the city known as Ortigia, a small island which is separated from the mainland by a very narrow channel. The centrepiece of Ortigia is Piazza Duomo upon which you'll find the incredible Syracuse Cathedral; I use the word incredible without hesitation here because it really is: it was originally built in the 5th century BC as a Greek temple before being converted to a Christian church, then a mosque and back to a church again by the conquering Normans.
Umbria is one of the central regions of Italy and its capital is Perugia. Famed for its "Baci" chocolates, Perugia dates back to the Etruscans but it's to the medieval period that it owes its most eye-catching architecture. The centrepiece of the city is Piazza IV Novembre where you'll also find Perugia Cathedral, but away from these sights, this is a city in which you can happily lose yourself, exploring its narrow passageways and steps.
The northern Italian region of Lombardy accounts for no fewer than six cities on this list and the next of those is Pavia. Another city which owes its beauty to the medieval and Renaissance periods, Pavia can boast one of the world's oldest universities while its main sights include a series of attractive squares such as Piazza della Vittoria, the beautiful Pavia Cathedral and most iconic of all, the covered bridge known as Ponte Coperto (literally - "Covered Bridge") which spans the River Ticino.
Mantua
Piazza delle Erbe, Mantua
Mantua was once the stronghold of the powerful Gonzaga dynasty who showed their financial might by adorning the city with palaces, piazzas, a castle and an array of glittering churches.
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Syracuse
Piazza Duomo, Syracuse
Once one of the most important cities in the world, Syracuse is a cauldron of cultures with an enviable legacy of sights from Greek Amphitheatres to Baroque piazzas in a Sicilian seaside setting.
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Perugia
Piazza IV Novembre, Perugia
Nestled in the hills of Italy's central region of Umbria, Perugia dazzles with its main square the Piazza IV Novembre, while a series of dark alleyways and rising steps make it fascinating to explore.
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Pavia
Ponte Coperto, Pavia
Pavia boasts one of Italy's oldest universities and that sense of history is prevalent in its beautiful Piazza della Vittoria, the historic Cathedral and one of Italy's most iconic bridges: Ponte Coperto.
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Rivalling Lombardy on this list is Tuscany with five entries, the next of which is Lucca. Another city founded by the Etruscans, Lucca's most prominent feature is its city wall built much later, during the Renaissance. The wall is completely intact and perfectly encloses the city centre. One of the best things you can do in Lucca is walk or even cycle around the walls with their wide pathways, stopping for a picnic along the way. Iconic sights in Lucca include the quirky Torre Guinigi with its mini forest growing out from the top, and best of all, the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro: an elliptical square built on the site of a Roman amphitheatre. This is number two on my list of most beautiful squares in Italy, while Lucca Cathedral is one of the finest churches in the country.
Southern Sicily's Ragusa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of eight that come under the heading Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily). The towns were all rebuilt following the 1693 earthquake that devastated much of Sicily and it's the awe-inspiring use of Baroque architecture that makes these towns stand out. Ragusa has an upper and a lower city with fine architectural examples in each area, both of which boast their own cathedral. Upper Ragusa, also known as Ragusa Superiore is dominated by its 18th century cathedral but it's the lower town called Ibla that captures most of the imagination with a number of sights to explore including the magnificent square: Piazza Duomo and the beautiful park of Giardino Ibleo.
The next Lombardy city on the list is Cremona. One of my favourite things about Italy is that many cities are known as the home of something or other and Cremona is one of the best examples of this, being the home of the violin. There are dozens of violin workshops around the beautiful Piazza del Comune which is also home to Cremona Cathedral and Cremona Baptistery, making it another of my favourite squares in Italy. Cremona's most famous son was none other than Antonio Stradavari, aka "Stradivarius" and his work and that of his fellow violin-makers can be explored at the city's Violin Museum.
The biggest splash of colour on this page is provided by the city of Verbania and more specifically, by its beautiful garden: Villa Taranto, (my number one ranked from the Gardens of Italy list). Verbania lies on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Piedmont and consists of a number of smaller villages and towns, thrown together to make a city. It is that very fact that makes Verbania so interesting as it combines the bustling, built-up centre of Intra with more tranquil settings such as Pallanza and Suna where you can watch the waters gently rippling over the graceful lake.
Southern Sicily's Ragusa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of eight that come under the heading Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily). The towns were all rebuilt following the 1693 earthquake that devastated much of Sicily and it's the awe-inspiring use of Baroque architecture that makes these towns stand out. Ragusa has an upper and a lower city with fine architectural examples in each area, both of which boast their own cathedral. Upper Ragusa, also known as Ragusa Superiore is dominated by its 18th century cathedral but it's the lower town called Ibla that captures most of the imagination with a number of sights to explore including the magnificent square: Piazza Duomo and the beautiful park of Giardino Ibleo.
The next Lombardy city on the list is Cremona. One of my favourite things about Italy is that many cities are known as the home of something or other and Cremona is one of the best examples of this, being the home of the violin. There are dozens of violin workshops around the beautiful Piazza del Comune which is also home to Cremona Cathedral and Cremona Baptistery, making it another of my favourite squares in Italy. Cremona's most famous son was none other than Antonio Stradavari, aka "Stradivarius" and his work and that of his fellow violin-makers can be explored at the city's Violin Museum.
The biggest splash of colour on this page is provided by the city of Verbania and more specifically, by its beautiful garden: Villa Taranto, (my number one ranked from the Gardens of Italy list). Verbania lies on the shores of Lake Maggiore in Piedmont and consists of a number of smaller villages and towns, thrown together to make a city. It is that very fact that makes Verbania so interesting as it combines the bustling, built-up centre of Intra with more tranquil settings such as Pallanza and Suna where you can watch the waters gently rippling over the graceful lake.
Lucca
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, Lucca
The walled city of Lucca is made unique by quirky sights such as the Torre Guitgia with its rooftop forest and the magnificent Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, one of the most fascinating squares in Italy.
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Ragusa
Piazza Duomo, Ragusa
Ragusa takes its places among the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its Baroque architecture. Split between an upper and a lower city called Ibla, Ragusa is one of the most charming places in Sicily.
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Cremona
Piazza del Comune, Cremona
Cremona is home to the violin and the places where its most famous son 'Stradivarius", plied his trade. An imposing Cathedral with a Baptistery make Piazza del Comune a magnet for visitors.
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Verbania
Villa Taranto, Verbania
Standing on the shores of Lake Maggiore, Verbania is a series of towns that make up a city. Highlights here include lakeside walks, the stunning gardens of Villa Taranto and the historic centre, Intra.
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One of the most historic and elegant cities from the central region of Marche (or Le Marche - "The Marches" in English), is Ascoli-Piceno with its famous Renaissance piazzas: Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Arringo. Ascoli is also home to a favourite Italian snack, the Olive Ascolane: olives fried in breadcrumbs and stuffed with meat, simply delicious!
The northernmost of all the cities on this page is Bolzano, one of two entries from the Trentino Alto-Adige region. Visitors have been flocking to Bolzano's Christmas market for years but it's also a lively, scenic spot during the summer months. The colourful Piazza Walther is the city's main square with the impressive Bolzano Cathedral close by. The culture in Bolzano is more Austrian than Italian and this is reflected in the signs which are mostly written in German first, and the cuisine where the wonderful Apple Strudels will make you never want to leave. In recent times, Bolzano has hit the headlines due to the discovery of Otzi, the 3,500 year old ice-man mummy which is on display in the city's South Tyrol Archaeological Museum.
Udine is one of the most prominent cities in the north-eastern region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and one of the most attractive in the whole country. A successful Venetian trading post in medieval times, it grew in wealth and is blessed with a rich legacy of sights such as the elegant Piazza della Libertà and the Loggia del Lionello whose design echoes that of the Doge's Palace in Venice.
There are few cities that owe their architectural success in such large part to one man but Vicenza is an exception to that rule and a veritable treasure trove of delights from Andrea Palladio which earned the city its UNESCO listing in 1994. The Olympic Theatre and the Basilica Palladiana are two of the most outstanding examples of Palladio's work in the city centre.
The northernmost of all the cities on this page is Bolzano, one of two entries from the Trentino Alto-Adige region. Visitors have been flocking to Bolzano's Christmas market for years but it's also a lively, scenic spot during the summer months. The colourful Piazza Walther is the city's main square with the impressive Bolzano Cathedral close by. The culture in Bolzano is more Austrian than Italian and this is reflected in the signs which are mostly written in German first, and the cuisine where the wonderful Apple Strudels will make you never want to leave. In recent times, Bolzano has hit the headlines due to the discovery of Otzi, the 3,500 year old ice-man mummy which is on display in the city's South Tyrol Archaeological Museum.
Udine is one of the most prominent cities in the north-eastern region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and one of the most attractive in the whole country. A successful Venetian trading post in medieval times, it grew in wealth and is blessed with a rich legacy of sights such as the elegant Piazza della Libertà and the Loggia del Lionello whose design echoes that of the Doge's Palace in Venice.
There are few cities that owe their architectural success in such large part to one man but Vicenza is an exception to that rule and a veritable treasure trove of delights from Andrea Palladio which earned the city its UNESCO listing in 1994. The Olympic Theatre and the Basilica Palladiana are two of the most outstanding examples of Palladio's work in the city centre.
Ascoli Piceno
Piazza del Popolo, Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno is an historic city located within the unsung Marche region of undulating hills and vineyards. Ascoli is famous for a series of piazzas but also for its beautiful Olive Ascolane snacks.
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Bolzano
Piazza Walther, Bolzano
Bolzano draws every winter as they come to enjoy its Christmas market. This beautiful city can be enjoyed all year round however with Bolzano Cathedral and Piazza Walther among the best sights.
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Udine
Piazza della Libertà, Udine
The city of Udine is dripping with understated elegance. Part of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, it can boast beautiful buildings such as the Loggia del Lionello and a series of historic piazzas.
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Vicenza
Basilica Palladiana, Vicenza
Situated in the northern region of Veneto, Vicenza is almost a tribute to the architectural skills of Andrea Palladio with creations such as the Olympic Theatre earning the city its UNESCO listing.
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Sitting on the banks of the eponymous lake, Como is one of the largest and most elegant of all Italy's lakeside towns. The walled city is famous for its marvellous Cathedral and Renaissance piazzas that lead out onto the lake. There are great places to breathe in the fresh air and walk around the lake or even to take a ferry to one of the smaller towns around Lake Como such as Varenna or Bellagio.
The imposing Castello Estense dominates proceedings in the centre of Ferrara, one of the largest cities within the Emilia Romagna region and another blessed with a UNESCO listing. Ferrara's piazzas and palazzi provide some of the best examples of Renaissance architecture while the Gothic facade of Ferrara Cathedral is not to be missed.
Bergamo in the Lombardy region is a city of great contrasts, split into two distinct areas: Bergamo Alta (Upper Bergamo) and Bergamo Bassa (Lower Bergamo). It's Bergamo Alta that commands the most attention with its Venetian defensive wall enclosing a tightly packed collection of medieval buildings and dark, narrow streets. Everything comes together in Piazza Vecchia where the city's two most prominent churches: Bergamo Cathedral and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore vie for space along with the Bergamo Baptistery. Lower Bergamo (Bergamo Bassa) could hardly be more different: its bright and wide boulevards owing more to 19th century town planning than its medieval/Renaissance counterpart.
A cursory glance at the skyline of the Tuscan city of Pistoia could easily make you think you were looking at the centre of Florence, such is the similarity in style of its Baptistery and some of the churches with their striped, marble facades. Although much smaller than Florence, Pistoia is worthy of a visit where you can enjoy smaller crowds and some exceptional Renaissance architecture.
The imposing Castello Estense dominates proceedings in the centre of Ferrara, one of the largest cities within the Emilia Romagna region and another blessed with a UNESCO listing. Ferrara's piazzas and palazzi provide some of the best examples of Renaissance architecture while the Gothic facade of Ferrara Cathedral is not to be missed.
Bergamo in the Lombardy region is a city of great contrasts, split into two distinct areas: Bergamo Alta (Upper Bergamo) and Bergamo Bassa (Lower Bergamo). It's Bergamo Alta that commands the most attention with its Venetian defensive wall enclosing a tightly packed collection of medieval buildings and dark, narrow streets. Everything comes together in Piazza Vecchia where the city's two most prominent churches: Bergamo Cathedral and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore vie for space along with the Bergamo Baptistery. Lower Bergamo (Bergamo Bassa) could hardly be more different: its bright and wide boulevards owing more to 19th century town planning than its medieval/Renaissance counterpart.
A cursory glance at the skyline of the Tuscan city of Pistoia could easily make you think you were looking at the centre of Florence, such is the similarity in style of its Baptistery and some of the churches with their striped, marble facades. Although much smaller than Florence, Pistoia is worthy of a visit where you can enjoy smaller crowds and some exceptional Renaissance architecture.
Como
Como Cathedral
There are few lakeside locations that can rival the charm of Como. Sitting on the shores of the vast Lake Como, its city centre combines historic buildings with a relaxed waterside setting.
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Ferrara
Castello Estense, Ferrara
One of the most impressive examples of Renaissance town planning, the city of Ferrara in Emilia Romagna is listed by UNESCO and has the imposing Castello Estense as its centrepiece.
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Bergamo
Bergamo Alta
A city of contrasts if ever there was one: Bergamo Alta is a medieval hill town with dark streets and historic cathedrals while Bergamo Bassa down below has a more modern, airy feel to it.
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Pistoia
Chiesa di San Giovanni Fuoricivitas, Pistoia
Pistoia's beautiful marble facades on its churches and baptistery mark it out as a mini-Florence, but this recently-named city of culture has its own character, charm and intrigue.
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Trento is the capital of the Trentino Alto-Adige region in the north. The star turn here is the extravagant Buonconsiglio Castle while the medieval city centre contains treasures such as Trento Cathedral and the imposing Torre Civica tower. Trento occupies the area between Lake Garda and some of the country's best ski resorts such as Andalo, making it a great base to explore from.
The Lazio region boasts Rome within its confines but the city of Viterbo has a very different feel to it. History is etched into the fabric of Viterbo with one example being the Palazzo dei Papi which was for many years the place where popes were voted into power. Go back much further however, and you'll find Viterbo was an important centre of the Etruscan world. The dozens of towns surrounding Viterbo are part of what is known as the Tuscia region which roughly tallies with the current Province of Viterbo, a hotbed of Etruscan artefacts and culture.
Arezzo is the last of the five Tuscan cities featured on this page and shares a common thread with the second on the list, Siena. Both Arezzo and Siena have sloping squares in the city centre. Arezzo's version: Piazza Grande, featured briefly in Roberto Benigni's Oscar-winning film "Life is Beautiful". Another walled city that's bursting at the seams with history, Arezzo is a veritable treasure trove of churches, museums and artistic brilliance.
Think of Monza and it's likely that images of Formula One cars tearing around a race-track will spring to mind. The track is on the outskirts of Monza but the city itself is another great example of Renaissance and medieval architecture from the Lombardy region. The old town hall called the Arengario is one of the most iconic sights here along with a magnificent cathedral and the wonderful Royal Palace of Monza (Villa Reale di Monza) that lies at the city's edge.
The Lazio region boasts Rome within its confines but the city of Viterbo has a very different feel to it. History is etched into the fabric of Viterbo with one example being the Palazzo dei Papi which was for many years the place where popes were voted into power. Go back much further however, and you'll find Viterbo was an important centre of the Etruscan world. The dozens of towns surrounding Viterbo are part of what is known as the Tuscia region which roughly tallies with the current Province of Viterbo, a hotbed of Etruscan artefacts and culture.
Arezzo is the last of the five Tuscan cities featured on this page and shares a common thread with the second on the list, Siena. Both Arezzo and Siena have sloping squares in the city centre. Arezzo's version: Piazza Grande, featured briefly in Roberto Benigni's Oscar-winning film "Life is Beautiful". Another walled city that's bursting at the seams with history, Arezzo is a veritable treasure trove of churches, museums and artistic brilliance.
Think of Monza and it's likely that images of Formula One cars tearing around a race-track will spring to mind. The track is on the outskirts of Monza but the city itself is another great example of Renaissance and medieval architecture from the Lombardy region. The old town hall called the Arengario is one of the most iconic sights here along with a magnificent cathedral and the wonderful Royal Palace of Monza (Villa Reale di Monza) that lies at the city's edge.
Trento
Trento
Occupying the space between the Alps to the north and Lake Garda to the south, the city of Trento can act as a base for different seasons and can boast sights such as the Buonconsiglio Castle.
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Viterbo
Palazzo dei Papi, Viterbo
Viterbo in Lazio is centre of the Etruscan region known as Tuscia but its historical links go much further; the Palazzo dei Papi was for many years used as the location where Popes were anointed.
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Arezzo
Piazza Grande, Arezzo
Piazza Grande, the iconic sloping square at the centre of Arezzo has featured in films but is just the centrepiece of an artistic treasure trove contained within the city's museums and churches.
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Monza
Arengario, Monza
Away from the frenetic events at the nearby Formula One track, Monza offers the greatest possible contrast. Its city centre is made picturesque by Renaissance squares and a beautiful cathedral.
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