Hill Towns of Italy
The Hill Towns of Italy provide some of the most beguiling scenery in the country. Often perched in a seemingly precarious position on top of a rock, they were born as a means of defence against warring neighbours and in many cases grew to become self-sufficient city states, duchies or republics. Italy's culture of campanilismo, a certain patriotism towards one's home town, can be viewed in a negative sense but there are a number of positive benefits to it, not least the preservation of the towns' culture, traditions, food and architecture.
Some of the most famous Italian hill towns can be found in the central regions of Tuscany and Umbria with the likes of San Gimignano, Volterra, Montepulciano, Pienza, Orvieto and Cortona immediately springing to mind. However, they can be found all across the country with three of the most outstanding examples being Taormina in Sicily, Ravello in Campania and Ostuni in Puglia. One location which might cause some debate for being on this list is San Marino; it's neither a town, nor even in Italy as it's an independent country in its own right but it's been included here as in many ways it's the very definition of the genre.
Some of the most famous Italian hill towns can be found in the central regions of Tuscany and Umbria with the likes of San Gimignano, Volterra, Montepulciano, Pienza, Orvieto and Cortona immediately springing to mind. However, they can be found all across the country with three of the most outstanding examples being Taormina in Sicily, Ravello in Campania and Ostuni in Puglia. One location which might cause some debate for being on this list is San Marino; it's neither a town, nor even in Italy as it's an independent country in its own right but it's been included here as in many ways it's the very definition of the genre.
San Gimignano
San Gimignano, Tuscany
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Taormina
Ancient Greek Theatre, Taormina, Sicily
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Orvieto
Orvieto, Umbria
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Montepulciano
Montepulciano, Tuscany
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San Marino
San Marino
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Cortona
Cortona, Tuscany
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