L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2015 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 9 CHIARA ASSI From North to South, from East to West, Italy is dotted with quaint little villages -some perched on hill and mountain sides, some overlooking lakes or on the seashore, some sur- rounded by the countryside- vil- lages that are truly unique and offer visitors a chance to see, taste and experience Italy in a much different, definitely more genuine way. In the next three weeks we will embark in a vir- tual trip from the peak of the Alps to the shores of Sicily and get to know some of them, their traditions and what sets them a p a r t f r o m t h e r e s t , m a k i n g them worth a visit. In this first i n s t a l l m e n t w e ' l l v i s i t s i x b o r g h i l o c a t e d i n N o r t h e r n Italy: don't miss the next arti- cles about villages in Central and Southern Italy. C h i u s a , T r e n t i n o A l t o A d i g e . N e s t l e d b e t w e e n t h e cliff of Sabiona, the Isarco river and the Tinne stream, this typi- c a l T y r o l e a n t o w n h a s a n Austrian feel while also keep- ing its Italian charm. Famous f o r b e i n g a n a r t i s t r e t r e a t , Chiusa features breathtaking views of the Dolomites and sev- eral historical buildings, includ- i n g t h e f o r m e r O r i s o G r i g i o Hotel, dating back to 1335 and the Chapel of the Crypt, built in 1439. Café culture here is key, a s i t i s i n n e a r b y A u s t r i a n towns, while the best products to savor during your stay are speck, the local smoked pro- sciutto, and knödel, large bread dumplings served with browned butter. Gradisca d'Isonzo, Friuli Venezia Giulia. A fortified vil- l a g e c o n c e i v e d a s a b a s t i o n against the Turkish incursion of the 15th century, Gradisca is a handsome baroque town with stunning palaces with imposing facades and a lovely Duomo. W a l k i n g a l o n g t h e v i l l a g e perimeter of the Venetian walls, designed by none other than Leonardo da Vinci, is a worthy experience itself and the perfect way to work up an appetite: make sure you try the jota, a local soup prepared with beans, c a b b a g e a n d p o r k r i b s , a n d wash it down with one of the many excellent wines produced in the area. B o r g h e t t o , V e n e t o . T h i s gorgeous little town is famous f o r i t s o l d w i n d m i l l s o n t h e river Mincio and for its rich his- tory and architecture. Watching sunset over the river can be a truly unforgettable experience a s t h e a n c i e n t t o w e r s a n d bridges loom on the horizon: the Ponte Visconteo dates back to 1393 and is quite unique in its genre. Perch and trout from the river are at their best when paired with local whites such as Custoza and Bardolino. Vogogna, Piemonte. A visit to the ancient capital of the Ossola Valley should start out- side the village center, at the O r a t o r i o d i s a n P i e t r o , a n ancient Parish with Longobard origins where you can admire some stunning frescos from the 15th century. The village itself also features several historical points of interest that range f r o m p a l a c e s s u c h a s V i l l a Biraghi Lossetti, built in 1650, to a much older building, the Marchesa House, dating back to 1350. The local specialty is gnocchi all'ossolana, chestnut flour dumplings with butternut squash served with melted but- ter. F o n t a n e l l a t o , E m i l i a Romagna. Located near Parma, Fontanellato is a shining exam- ple of Renaissance architecture: e l e g a n t a n d a r i s t o c r a t i c t h e R o c c a S a n v i t a l e , t h e t o w n fortress, draws history buffs from all around Italy and fea- t u r e s i n t e r e s t i n g f r e s c o s b y famous master Parmigianino dating back to 1524. The botan- ical gardens of Villa Gandini and the Teatro Comunale are, too, worth a visit. The area is rightly famous for its decadent f o o d s p e c i a l t i e s : p r o s c i u t t o , culatello and cold cuts in gener- al are top notch, as are all types of stuffed pastas, such as ravio- li, tortelli and cappelletti. Castelvecchio, Liguria. The oldest and most characteristic of the villages of the Val Neva, this borgo takes his name from the old castle that rises above it at 1142 meter over sea level ( 3 3 0 0 f e e t ) . S t r o l l d o w n t h e cobblestone alleys, take in the old stone houses, the roof ter- races and the tufa stone walls: Castelvecchio oozes timeless c h a r m a n d i s p r o u d o f i t s medieval looks. Located on the Trail of Wine and Olive Oil, this village has a lot to offer The beautiful town of Borghetto, Valeggio when it comes to gastronomy: strong local Vermentino is per- fect with fresh borage ravioli. Cassinetta di Lugagnano, Lombardia. A stone throw's away from the hustle and bustle of Milan, the adjacent villages of Cassinetta and Lugagnano l a y o n o p p o s i t e s i d e s o f t h e Naviglio Grande -the canal that connects Milano to the Ticino river- and are connected by a bridge. Here you can admire beautiful villas from the 1700s, such as Villa Negri and Villa Cattaneo Krentzlin, and the old mill of the Pazza Biraga. Rice a n d b l u e c h e e s e a r e l o c a l favorites: try both by ordering a decadent risotto al gorgonzola. I Borghi più belli d'Italia: Italy's most beautiful villages Vogogna, Piemonte Rocca dei Sanvitale, Fontanellato, Emilia Romagna. Photo: Gino dell'Amico

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