by The idea was simple. Form an association and select the most beautiful villages in Italy as members. I was founded in 2001 and insisted in places with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants, a rich cultural heritage and a historical heart in which more than 70 percent of the buildings come from before 1939.
Around 940 over the years Borghi – “Dorf” is not quite the right word, but it is close enough – have been rated. Around 375 did the cut. Thirteen were added from a selection list of 32 this year. Not all, note on the association’s website.
I cannot say that I have visited all 375 villages, but I have enjoyed a few fairs for over 35 years. While I have a mild problem with some listings that Borghi Più Belli Form an invaluable guide: visit a village on the list and you will rarely be disappointed.
There are 10 personal favorites below.
1. Orta San Giulio
Piedmont
Piedmont is spoiled for pretty villages in his lakes, pastoral hills and alpine valleys. My choice, Orta San Giulio, is located on one of the smallest lakes in the region, Orta, a quieter retreat than near Lago Maggiore. Sit in the main square of San Giulio for people and a view of the Isola San Giulio, the incredibly picturesque island of the lake. Next, stroll for a walk along the only main street, followed by a loop around the country goals or a short, sharp hike on the charming church of Santa Maria Assunta to the Hill top sacro Monte chapels and the more comprehensive views.
2. Castelrotto-Kastelruth
Trentino-Alto Adige
We are in the Dolomites and a German-speaking corner of Italy, which used to be part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The appearance differs from the rest of the country: for example, onion churches and a Germanic accuracy in the way things are done. Many skip Castelrotto in favor of the more well -known Orti nearby. Not. Both are beautiful, but Castelrotto is a living village, Ortseiei is more of a basis for visitors. Fresced houses line the flawless, paved streets and overrun with flowers in summer window boxes. Verdant fields frame the village against another background of the great and not assignable – Alpe di Siussi of the Dolomites.
3. San Leo
Emilia-Romagna
A long, wintry journey of late flights, slow trains and icy streets brought me tired and hungry for the first time and in the dark to San Leo. The next morning I looked over the snow -covered apennia and explored one of the most beautiful unsuccessful villages in Italy. As so often, there is not much to “see” here, only charm, calm roads and long prospects. A high castle overlooks everything and underneath a huge, steep bracket – the Pietra di Bismantova – so striking that Dante visited San Leo The divine comedy.
4. Tellaro
Ligurie
Only eight miles from Tellaro, over the Gulf of La Spezia, are among the most busy coastal villages in Europe, no matter, Italy. Nice, now – one of them, Vernazza, does that Borghi Più Belli List – but often affects the weight of the visitors. In contrast, Tellaro is hardly known and shares many properties of the Cinque Terre, including colorful houses that fall over a green slope on a charming coast. You can hike here in peace and, in contrast to the Cinque Terre, apart from Monterosso, there are beaches and good swimming nearby, not least in Punto Corvo and Fiasischerino.
5. Barga
Tuscany
As expected, the Tuscany has a variety of wonderful villages, with 30 being under the rank Borghi Più Belli. Some of them are too busy (Pitigliano, Capalbio, Porto Ercole); A couple (Castiglione di Garfagnana, Coreglia, Buonconvento) would not create my list; But other poppi, Lucignano, Cetona-Sind real, white treasures. Barga is my favorite on the edge of the high Apennines in the north of the region, over Lucca. It may be more city than village, but it doesn’t matter: the cathedral is sublime, the streets pretty, the prospects wonderful and the lively cultural life a sign of a flourishing, living community.
6. Scheggino
Umbria
Scheggino is one of the 13 villages that were added to the “most beautiful” list this year, a tiny place in Valnerina, a wild valley in the mountains of eastern Umbria. I was here for the first time 30 years ago and since then little has changed: a single street, a fortified labyrinth of alleys and a hotel-restaurant del ponte, which combines local trout and truffle on a wonderful effect. Drive or go south and take the San Pietro in San Pietro in the eighth century among the most beautiful abbeys of the means of Italy. Or go north, where the Vallo di Nero, Norcia and Preci are from Valnerina Borghi Più Belli And others – San Felice, Caso, Tiny Gavelli – could easily create the list.
7. Frontino
Le Marche
Frontino is tiny: more or less a single, short road on a fortified, rocky lane, which is framed by pretty, pastoral hills. Winy and with little to see, but as charming as you want. Goal on the Torre Civica, which is covered with Virginia Creeper; Live in spring, a beautiful, fiery color in autumn. Or visit the Convento di Montefiorenino, where a lavish panel by Giovanni Santi, father of Raphael, is at home. How many Borghi Più Belli Frontino needs a special travel-one happens to come here. So combine them by traveling to the nearby San Leo (see above) or in the mountain cities of Northern Umbria directly opposite the regional border.
8. Castel del Monte
Abruzzo
One day Abruzzo will attract attention to Rome the attention it deserves. Until then, the wonderful mountain backdrop and the high, remote villages are largely not visited. Nevertheless, the region 27 claims Borghi Più BelliOnly three less than the Tuscany. Some of the list of depopulation-one, Penne, is one of the Italian villages that “one-euro houses” sell to inconvenient-but many (OPI, Scanno, Pacentro, Santo Di Sassanio) cling to old lifestyle and have non-matching highland facilities. Castel del Monte is my outstanding in the heart of the Gran Sasso National Park and near the remarkable grassy highlands of the Campo Imperatore.
9. Zisternino
hardness
The club behind it I Borghi Più Belli The view that a list gives eight percent of the visitor numbers of a village. However, some villages simply no longer need attention. In Hublia, for example, Alberobello, known for its characteristic conical Trulli Apartments, is flooded in the season, but should be listed. Better for smaller villages such as crawling and newly listed Gravina or my favorite, Cisternino, which is a delightful medley of tiny alleys, sleepy squares and dazzling, whipped houses beyond the modern city.
10. Geraci siculo
Sicily
I have visited some of the 21 Sicilian villages on the list over the years and it is difficult to choose between them. I love Cefalù on the north coast – it is a special memory, but it is more city than Borgo. Gangi, Moribund, when I saw it for the first time, took up for herself while I find Petralia Soprana too scary. However, Geraci Siculo spread the epitome of the timeless Sicilian village over his high, remote comb, half forgotten in the depths of the Madony Mountains.
