Abruzzo

L'Aquila This rises 714 m. above sea level in a wide valley between mountains, crossed by the Aterno, in view of the Gran Sasso.

Chieti The town lies 330 m. above sea level, on a hilly ridge between the valleys of the Pescara and Alento rivers.

Pescara This is situated on the Adriatic coast at the mouth of the valley of the river of the same name and is the most highly populated town in the region.

Teramo This town is situated 432 m. above sea level, near the confluence of the Vezzole torrent with the Tordino River.

Basilicata

Potenza Situated 819 m. above sea level, on the hills overlooking the high valley of the Basento River, this is the highest chief town in the Italian provinces, second only to Enna (Sicily).

Matera This town stands 401 m. above sea level, on the west side of the Murge. It is divided into an ancient part (called I Sassi), clinging to the side of a deep gorge gouged out by the Gravina di Matera torrent and a modern town extending over the plain above.

Calabria

Catanzaro stands 320 m. above sea level on a rocky ridge delimited by the Musofalo and Fiumarella river valleys, some ten kilometres from the Ionian coast.

Cosenza The town stands 238 m. above sea level at the confluence of the Busento and Croti rivers in an intermontane valley between the Sila and the coastal range of mountains.

Reggio di Calabria The city lies at the foot of the Aspromonte, at the far end of the Italian peninsula on the right shore of the Strait of Messina. Of ancient origins (founded by Calchis, Greek settlers, in the 8th century BC.), it became Roman at the beginning of the 3rd century AD., and of increasing importance as a municipium in Augustan times.

Campania

Napoli (Naples) Lying on the Gulf of Naples, the chief city stretches for some 10 km. from the outlying slopes of Campi Flegrei to Vesuvius, in one of the most outstanding scenic settings in the Mediterranean.

Avellino The town lies 348 m. above sea level in a wide green valley in the Irpinia uplands. An ancient Irpinian centre, it submitted to Rome in 209 AD., becoming a Roman colony and busy agricultural and trading centre.

Benevento stands 135 m. above sea level in a vast hollow in the Samnite hills, near the confluence of the Sabato and Calore rivers.

Caserta stands 65 m. above sea level on the edge of the fertile Campanian lowlands, at the foot of the Campania Preapennines.

Salerno The town lies at the centre of the Gulf, at the mouth of the Irno River valley, not far from Piana del Sele towards which it is rapidly expanding.

Emilia Romagna

Bologna Capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is situated 54 m. above sea level, in a pleasant position at the foot of the outlying Apennine ramifications, at the mouth of the plain of the Reno and Savena valleys.

Ferrara Situated 9 m. above sea level, surrounded by a fertile plain in the north-eastern part of the region, slightly below the course of the Po river. Of probable medieval origin, the city began to acquire a certain importance at the time of the comuni (12th century).

Forli' This town lies 34 m. above sea level, on the Via Emilia, in the fertile plain between the Montone and Ronco rivers, at the foot of the outlying ramifications of the Tusco-Emilian Apennines.

Modena Situated at 34 m. above sea level on the plain confined by the rivers Secchia and Panaro; the Via Emilia runs through the urban area. Ancient centre of the Ligurians, in 183 BC. the city became a Roman colony, known as Mutina, an important agricultural and commercial market.

Parma lies 57 m. above sea level on the Via Emilia, near the point where the Baganza torrent flows into the Parma torrent, surrounded by fertile land.

Piacenza The town (61 m.) is situated near the confluence of the Trebbia and Po rivers, in the northern part of the region at the Lombardy boundary.

Ravenna Once situated on the Adriatic coast, Ravenna now lies 12 km. away, though linked to the sea by a navigable canal, on the plain between the Lamone and Uniti Rivers, to the south of the Comacchio Valleys, 4 m. above sea level.

Reggio nell'Emilia This city lies on the fertile plain between the Enza and Secchia rivers, 58 m. above sea level on the Via Emilia, in full view of the foothills of the Tusco-Emilian Apennines.

Friuli Venezia Giulia

Trieste Chief town of the region, Trieste is situated on the gulf of the same name near the first ramifications of the Carso Triestino (Karst); its Province, consisting of only six municipalities, is the smallest in Italy.

Gorizia This town is situated on the left side of the Isonzo River, 84 m. above sea level near the Yugoslav border, beyond which lies Nova Gorica.

Pordenone town lies 24 m. above sea level, to the right of the Moncello torrent, on the western side of the Friuli plain.

Udine The town is situated 113 m. above sea level at the foot of a hill dominated by the castle, on the wide alluvial plain of the Tagliamento river.

Lazio

Rome (Roma) Capital of Italy and Latium, the city lies 20 m. above sea level on the banks of the Tiber, in the Campagna di Roma. This is the most highly populated and largest city in Italy (municipality covering 1,507.6 sq/km.), an historical and cultural centre of extraordinary importance, the capital of the Roman Catholic Church.

Frosinone Situated 291 m. above sea level on a hill, in a panoramic position overlooking the valley of the Sacco River in the heart of Ciociaria (region named after an ancient type of footwear called `ciocia') lies Frosinone.

Latina This town rises 21 m. above sea level in the heart of the Agro Pontino reclaimed area, about 8 km. from the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Rieti This town lies 405 m. above sea level on the southern edge of a large hollow, once an ancient lake, at the foot of the Sabini and Reatini mountains and to the right of the Velino River.

Viterbo is situated 326 m. above sea level on the gentle hills between Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico.

Liguria

Genova The chief city in the region lies in the innermost part of the gulf to which it gives its name, and stretches for c. 25 km.

Imperia The town, whose present administration dates to 1923, comprises two distinct urban centres, Porto Maurizio and Oneglia.

La Spezia Situated in the inner curve of the gulf of the same name, the town is about 20 km. from the Tuscan boundary.

Savona Situated on the Riviera di Ponente close (15 km.) to the Colle di Cadibona (435 m.) the town stretches over the Letimbro River alluvial plain.

Lerici Because Lerici's history is lost in the night of time, we don't know precisely the year of its foundation, but its ancient name "portus liycis" that might derive from the Greek "Iliakos".

Cinque terre (La Spezia) Cinque Terre is the name given to that part of the eastern coast of Liguria around the five small towns of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Ameglia This ancient village of the Ligurians became the court of the bishops of Luni in mediaeval times.

Deiva Marina The splendid bay of Deiva Marina opens out at the foot of the large area of woodland that leads down from a height of 800 metres at the Bracco Pass.

Levanto To understand the Levanto of today one needs to do as with the people we love: have them tell us its story, give historical depth to the actual landscape and know which vocations and identities have passed in time.

Portofino Portofino lies in a bay whose natural shelter is provided both by its shape and by Monte Portofino itself, which looks over the sea from a height of 600 metres and forms a three-kilometre ridge ending to the east at Punta del Capo.

Santa Margherita Ligure This town is situated in a small bay on the Golfo di Tigullio between Portofino and Rapallo, which is the nearest motorway exit.

Sestri Levante The isthmus between the Baia delle Favole (Bay of Fables) and the Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) is one of the most beautiful parts of Liguria.

Rapallo This is one of the largest municipalities on the Eastern Riviera. It lies sheltered from winds and currents in an inlet on the Golfo del Tigullio.

Sarzana The history of Sarzana is witnessed by fortifications that were built in various periods to protect this large town.

Magra Valley The history of Sarzana is witnessed by fortifications that were built in various periods to protect this large town.

Luni The city had risen as a roman colony in 177 B.C. to assure definite possession of the ligurian coastal area, protection of the port, and control over the Ligurians.

Porto Venere The town known as "Portus Veneris" was already famous for its beauty in Roman times.

Cinque Terre Marine Park Terraces in the sea. The sea and land of the Cinque Terre together, form a unique and suggestive landscape.

Lombardia

Milan (Milano) stands 122 m. above sea level on the edge of the upper and lower plains, in a long privileged position on the main lines of communication linking the Mediterranean area to Central Europe. Undoubtedly the most important industrial and commercial centre in Europe (with political and cultural influence).

Bergamo Situated on the edge of the outlying Orobic hills between the mouths of the Brembana and Seriana valleys, the town has two distinct urban centres: Bergamo Alta, the oldest and upper part of the town with a wealth of history and art, stands on a hill (365 m.) a hundred metres or so above the plain, where Bergamo Bassa (249 m.) lies, a busy modern industrial and commercial centre.

Brescia Situated at the edge of the Prealps 149 m. above sea-level on flat ground at the mouth of Valtrompia, Brescia has the second largest population in Lombardy.

Como Situated 201 m above sea level on the south-western tip of the Lake of the same name, Como is 5 km from the Ponte Chiasso border between Italy and Switzerland.

Cremona The town stands 45 m. above sea level on fertile plains near the left bank of the Po River, just past its confluence with the Adda River.

Mantua This town stands 19 m. above sealevel on the right bank of the Mincio River, at the point in which the river bends, widening to form Lakes Superiore, di Mezzo and Inferiore.

Pavia The town stands on the left bank of the Ticino river, 77 m. above sea level, approximately 6 km. before it meets the Po.

Sondrio Standing 307 m. above sea level in mid-Valtellina, near the confluence of the Mallero and the Adda rivers, at the mouth of Valmalenco, Sondrio is the smallest provincial chief town in Lombardy.

Varese This town lies 382 m. above sealevel on the gentle slopes of Sacro Monte and Campo dei Fiori (1,226 m.) descending towards the lake of the same name, approximately 10 km. from the Swiss border.

Marche

Ancona The administrative centre of the region lies on the lowest northern slopes of M. Conero, which slope down to the sea, forming a wide natural bay.

Ascoli Piceno The town is situated at 154 m. above sea level on an alluvial terrace near the con Fluence of the Castellano and Tronto rivers, about 30 km. from the Adriatic coast.

Macerata The town is situated in a dominating position at 314 m. above sea level on the ridges between the parallel Potenza and Chienti river valleys; about 30 km. from the Adriatic coast.

Pesaro The town faces the Adriatic coast, at the exit of the River Foglia valley.

Urbino The town stands 45 m. above sea level on fertile plains near the left bank of the Po River, just past its confluence with the Adda River.

Mantua The town is situated on the ridge of a hill (485 m.) separating the Metauro Valley from the Foglia.

Molise

Campobasso This town lies at 701 m. above sea level, on the hilly ridge between the basins of the Biferno and Fortore rivers. A centre of medieval origin, it was part of the Lombard Duchy of Benevento.

Isernia This town is situated at 423 m. above sea level on a hill separating the Carpino and Sorde rivers. An ancient Samnite centre with the name of Aesernia, it was colonized by Rome from 263 BC.

Piemonte

Turin (Torino) Lying largely on the left bank of the Po River, 239 m. above sea level, at the confluence of the Sangone, Dora Baltea and Stura di Lanzo, is the great industrial, commercial and cultural centre round which much of the region's economy revolves.

Alessandria Situated 95 m. above sea level on the right bank of the Tanaro, slightly above its confluence with the Bormida, at the junction of important lines of communication between the Po Valley and Liguria.

Asti Situated at 123 m., on the left of the Tanaro, in the beautiful Monferrato hills, this town has been the capital of the smallest Piedmontese province since 1935.

Cuneo This town (534 m. above sea level) lies wedge-shaped (the name dates back to the Communes and is Italian for `wedge') on tableland at the confluence of the Gesso and Stura di Demonte rivers.

Novara Situated 159 m. above sea level on the irrigated plain between the Ticino and Sesia rivers, this town is a junction of important road and rail links with Turin, Milan, Genoa and Switzerland.

Vercelli This town stands 130 m. above sea level, in the Po Valley to the right of the Sesia River, at the heart of a vast rice-growing region.

Puglia

Bari Lying roughly halfway along the Adriatic coast, on the fringes of the fertile Terra di Bari, the city consists of two distinct parts, the old city, a maze of twisting lanes, which lies on a small peninsula between the bays of the old and new ports, and the modern town stretching inland as well as along the coast, built to a neatly square plan.

Brindisi Situated on the Adriatic coast of the Salentino peninsula, the oldest part of the town stands on the promontory jutting into a sheltered bay, while the new town, characterized by its regular layout, has spread inland.

Foggia The town lies at a height of 76 m. above sea level, on the Tavoliere delle Puglie, in the middle of an intensively cultivated area, and is an important crossroads for road communications and also a railway junction.

Lecce Lecce stands at a height of 49 m. above sea level on the Salentino peninsula, roughly 10 km. from the Adriatic coast.

Taranto The city of Taranto lies inside the Gulf of the same name, and of the two urban nuclei, the old town stands on an isthmus crossed by a pair of canals which link the inner lagoon of the Mar Piccolo with the Mar Grande, and is characterized by its narrow though interesting streets.

Sardegna

Cagliari The city lies on the south coast of the island towards the centre of the gulf of the same name, and the modern part stretches along the shore as well as inland, on several low hills between the San Gilla and Molentargius lakes.

Nuoro The town lies 546 m. above sea level on the crest of a mountain ridge between the Isalle and Rio d'Oliena river valleys, in the upper saturated valley of the Cedrino River.

Oristano The town stands 9 m. above sea level on the northern Campidano plain, between the left bank of the lower Tirso River and the S. Giusta Lake, a few kilometres from the Gulf of Oristano.

Sassari The city lies 225 m. above sea level on a stretch of low ground sloping towards the Gulf of Asinara, in the Nurra, Anglona and Logudoro hills.

Sicilia

Agrigento The town lies 230 m. above sea level on a hill running parallel to the Ionian coast, some 3 km. away, in a position dominating the Valle dei Templi. The old nucleus still has a stepped medieval structure with steep narrow winding streets.

Catania Situated on the Gulf of Catania, this town spreads tidily over the foot of the southern slopes of Etna, as well as to the south on the low-lying fertile Catania plain, where the modern industrial zone has been sited.

Randazzo This town is situated near the meeting of the Alcantara and Flascio rivers, in the valley between the volcanic mass of Etna and the Nebrodi-Peloritani mountain chain.

Aeolian Islands

Mount Etna Sicily's greatest natural attraction is also its highest mountain. To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, god of fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops.

Pantelleria Pantelleria's long history is due to its geographical position and is directly connected to the sea. The Sesioti came in 5,000 B.C. to extract and work obsidian.

Island of Ustica This island rises from the waters of the Tyrrhenian about 36 miles to the north-west of Palermo and has a wild and fascinating appearance because of the contrast between the intense colours of the sea and the rough volcanic rock formations of its coast (it is geologically similar to Lipai).

Tindari Tindari is an area of great archaeological interest at the western end of the bay between Cape Tindari and the Cape of Milazzo. Founded in the first half of the fourth century B.C., of Rome, which it always supported in its long military struggle with Carthage.

Ragusa The city lies in a dominant position (502 m.) on the south slope of the Iblei hills, to the right of the deeply gouged Irminio River valley, about 25 km. from the sea.

Siracusa This town lies on a bay on the south-east coast of the island and consists of an old nucleus with medieval streets and a Baroque appearance, on Ortigia island, linked by a bridge to mainland Sicily, and the modern town characterized by a regular square urban layout, stretching inland.

Bagheria This is a densely populated agro-industrial centre on the southern slopes of Mount Catalfano, which here extend to the sea, forming the eastern boundary of the Gulf of Palermo.

Giardini Naxos The most important sea resorts of this part of the Ionian Coast include the already mentioned Mazzaro` with its beautiful sickle-shaped beach, and Giardini Naxos, an enchanting seasonal and bathing resort with excellent tourist facilities.

Taormina If you're looking for a long glimpse of Sicily's beauty and history from many angles in a single place, Taormina is a good choice. The city is located on a plateau below Mount Tauro, for which it is named, where there are the ruins of a medieval fortress.

Cefalu' This charming and graceful little town faces the Tyrrhenian sea from a promontory overhung by a huge, rough outcrop of the mountains. Because of its favourable climate and outstanding natural and artistic features, it is counted among the tourist jewels of the Palermo province.

Acireale This town stands on a terraced slope of volcanic origin between the last spurs of Etna and the Ionian coast, Its fame comes from its thermal springs, also of volcanic origin, which have given rise to modern spas.

Alcantara Gorge The Alcantara gorge, an absolute must for tourists visiting the area, can be reached from Taormina-Giardini Naxos by following the main road inland (185) toards Francavilla di Sicilia for 13 kilometres.

Palermo The city lies on the Gulf of Palermo on the north-west coast of Sicily, in the Conca d'Oro, a fertile area planted with citrus groves. The historical centre of the city has a regular layout, which it gained over a period of time, at the behest of the Aragons, replacing the maze of narrow streets dating from Arab and Norman days.

Augusta This small town spreads along an island connected by bridges to the mainland, in the upper part of the Gulf of Augusta. The name goes back to the Roman Imperial age, when Augustus founded a new colony here (first century BC).

Noto Completely rebuilt after the disastrous earthquake of 1693 by all of three generations of craftsmen and architects - among whom Roberto Gagliardi and his pupil Vincenzo Sinatra.

Solunto The first settlements here were probably Phoenician. Ater a Punic stronghold together with nearby Palermo and Motye, it was first conquered by the Sracusans (fourth century B.C.) and then by the Romans (third century B.C.).

Piazza Armerina Set on a plateau almost 700 meters above sea level about 35 kilometers from Enna and a bit nearer Caltagirone, the city of Piazza Armerina is not without charm.

Enna Enna lies in the heart of Sicily, in a panoramic setting on a stretch of high ground in the region of the Erei hills, and, at 931 m. above sea level, is the highest provincial chief town in Italy.

Milazzo This town rises at the eastern end of the gulf o the same name, at the base of a peninsula projecting into the waters of the Tyrrhenian sea.

Monreale This picturesque town immediately inland from Palermo spreads over the lower slopes of the hills that rise into the ring of calcareous mountains surrounding the Conca d'Oro.

Letojanni This sunny locality on the lonian coast, under the wing of Capo Sant' Alessio to the north, had no real history until 1700, when the first inhabited nucleus formed on the hill and attracted the inhabitants of the hills surrounding the nearby Vale Aurea (Today's Gallodoro).

Forza d'Agro' From the motorway, which connects Messina-Catania, one can exit from Roccalumera or Taormina Nord into SS. 114.

Trentino Alto Adige

Trento Trent is situated 194 m, above sea level on flat ground by the Adige River dominated by Mount Bondone (2,179 m.) and Paganella (2,125 m.) by the Verona-Brenner railway and motorway.

Bolzano Rising 262 m. above sea level on a vast plain near the confluence of the Isarco and the Adige rivers, all traffic must pass this way to the Brenner Pass.

Tuscany

Florence (Firenze)

Anghiari

Arezzo

Barberino val d'Elsa

Bibbiena

Capolona

Carrara

Castellina in Chianti

Castel Nuovo Berardenga

Castel San Niccolo'

Chitignano

Cortona

Gaiole in Chianti

Greve in Chianti

Grosseto

Livorno

Lucca

Massa

Montalcino

Montepulciano

Monte San Savino

Pienza

Pistoia

Poggibonsi

Radda in Chianti

San Casciano Val di Pesa

San Sepolcro

Siena

Tavarnelle Val di Pesa

Umbria

Perugia The town lies in a wonderful position at 493 m. above sea level dominating the Tiber Valley on a range of hills in the heart of Umbria, of which it is the administrative centre.

Allerona Allerona is situated on a hill between the Ripuglie and Rivalcale streams, tributaries of the Paglia river. Its economy is traditionally based on agriculture (wine and grain) and handicraft activities.

Amelia is located on a hilly ridge between the fertile valleys of the Tiber and Nera Rivers. Since ancient times, this area was favourable to commercial exchange and was considered an important military route.

Assisi Assisi rises on the western slopes of Mount Subasio from where it dominates a very fertile plain. In the centre of the plain the imposing structure of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels is silhouetted against the horizon.

Attigliano Attigliano, located in the south-western territory of Umbria, is situated at the end of a natural terrace dominating the Valley of the Tiber, offering the visitor a splendid panorama.

Castiglione del Lago Lago Castiglione del Lago is situated on a hilly promontory, near the western shores of Lake Trasimeno, which in remote times completely surrounded the promontory-island and the first dwellings, built on piles.

Citta' della Pieve Citt della Pieve is set along the ridge of a hill which forms a plateau. From here, with its high bell towers, it dominates a vast, very cultivated territory which confines with Tuscany.

Fabro Fabro, one of the westernmost Umbrian centres, is situated on a hill near the Chiani stream.

Lugnano in Teverina Lugnano in Teverina is located in a hilly area near the lower Tiber Valley which confines with the Lazio region.

Magione Magione stands on a hilly ridge, which descends to the eastern shores of Lake Trasimeno.

Orvieto Orvieto rises up on a crag of tufa 80 metres high, which dominates the country plain below.

Paciano Paciano is located on the hills south of Lake Trasimeno in the centre of a well cultivated territory, rich in woods containing holm-oaks, oaks and chestnut trees.

Panicale Panicale rises on a spur of Mount Petrarvella, which dominates the valleys of the Nestore River and of Lake Trasimeno.

Parrano Parrano is a small agricultural centre situated in the hills of the upper Orvietano area.

Passignano sul Trasimeno Passignano sul Trasimeno stands on the slopes of a small ridge formed by the last offshoots of the hill that descends down to the western shores of Lake Trasimeno.

Piegaro Piegaro is located on the east side of the Nestore River, along the road which goes from Perugia to Citt della Pieve, in an area rich in woods, grapevines and olive groves.

Spoleto Spoleto is one of the principal economic and tourist centres of Umbria thanks to its rich history, archaeological and artistic features and the importance of its cultural events.

Todi Todi stands on a hill-top dominating the confluence of the Naia Stream with the Tiber. The city has always been considered an important meeting and trading point for agricultural products, so much so that Todi, in competition with the other bigger centres, has been able to fix reference prices for the commodities.

Trasimeno the Trasimeno District is at the centre of the world's richest area in historical, artistic and cultural phenomena.

Terni This town lies at 130 m. above sea level in a wide flat hollow near the confluence of the Serra and the Nera rivers.

Valle d'Aosta

Aosta Situated 583 m. above sea level on hollow ground near the confluence of the Buthier and the Dora Baltea at the foot of Mount Emilius (3,559 m.), Aosta is a crossroads for highways from France (Mont Blanc tunnel) and Switzerland (Gran San Bernardo tunnel).

Veneto

Venice (Venezia) The old historical centre of the city is situated four kilometres from the mainland, on 118 islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Its singular appearance and wealth of art treasures make it unique.

Belluno Rising on a plateau 389 m. above sea level, near the confluence of the Ardo torrent with the Piave, at the foot of Mount Serva (2,132 m.), lies Belluno.

Padua (Padova) Situated twelve metres above sea level in the lower Venetian plain between the Brenta and the Bacchiglione rivers, about twenty kilometres from the lagoon of Venice, Pauda was, according to legend, founded by Antenore, mythical Trojan prince.

Rovigo This town is situated seven metres above sea level on the fertile Po Valley plain between the Adige and Po rivers, in an intensely cultivated area which has been taken from the waters by centuries of land reclamation.

Treviso This town lies on the lower Venetian plain 15 metres above sea level at the confluence of the Botteniga with the Sile river, about twenty kilometres from the Venetian Lagoon.

Verona Situated 59 m. above sealevel, at the foot of the Lessini mountains and on the banks of the Adige river, at the junction of important lines of communication between the Po Valley and Central Europe, Verona was founded by the Euganeans and grew in importance during the imperial Roman period.

Vicenza This town is situated 40 metres above sea level at the foot of the Berici mountains, at the confluence of the Retrone and the Bacchiglione rivers on a flat fertile part of the upper Venetian plain.