L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 www.italoamericano.com L'Italo-Americano 9 CHIARA ASSI Italy's most beautiful vil- lages: so many to chose from and all very different from each other. After taking a virtual trip to six Northern Italian borghi last week, in this second install- m e n t w e ' l l v i s i t s i x b o r g h i located in Central Italy: from the rural beauty of Tuscany and Umbria, to the seaside charm of M a r c h e , a n d e v e r y t h i n g i n b e t w e e n . D o n ' t m i s s n e x t week's article about villages in the South and on the islands. Catiglione di Garfagnana, Tuscany. Blessed with tons of charm, this medieval village is famous for its towers, standing t a l l a g a i n s t t h e b l u e T u s c a n s k i e s . E n t e r t h e v i l l a g e ' s fortress by the Drawbridge Gate and explore the Renaissance b e a u t y o f t h e p a l a c e o f Parliament, once the seat of the Vicar and today the townhall. The church of San Pietro, with its wooden statues and gilded altar, is also worth a visit. The Garfagnana region is famous for its amazing fresh produce: enjoy renowned local chestnut polenta - a treat typical to this area- served with wild mush- rooms or with black truffles. Frosolone, Molise. A pic- ture perfect country village, Frosolone has kept its bucolic charm throughout the centuries and still looks like something out of a fairy tale. Surrounded by lush woods, this borgo is quaint and quiet, and features amazing baroque architecture s c a t t e r e d a r o u n d i t s n a r r o w alleys and pretty piazzas. The c h u r c h o f S a n t a M a r i a d e l l e Grazie, built in 1533, holds the town's most important artwork, a magnificent carved wooden a l t a r f r o m t h e 1 6 t h c e n t u r y , complete with paintings repre- senting scenes from the Bible. Sagne e fagioli is a local delica- cy very similar to pasta e fagi- oli: sprinkle it with freshly grat- ed caciocavallo, one of the best cheeses produced in the area. Grottammare, Marche. The r e m a i n s o f a 1 1 t h c e n t u r y fortress, still visible on top of a hill, dominate the pretty seaside village of Grottammare and to t h i s d a y o v e r l o o k s t h e t o w n from up above. Walking down the shore among palm trees and seagulls is a great way to reach the Torrione della Battaglia, a recently restored 16th century fortification that hosts a collec- tion of more than 250 worksof art including drawings, bronze models and lithographs. After you have worked up an appetite m a k e s u r e t o t a s t e l o c a l l y caught seafood, such as sea bass and bream, in stews, soups or fried to golden perfection. Norcia, Umbria. The histor- i c a l d o w n t o w n d i s t r i c t o f Norcia is enclosed by 13th cen- t u r y w a l l s i n a u n i q u e h e a r t shape: along the perimeter eight ancient gates have preserved their names and looks from the Middle Ages and give access to the most ancient part of town. The Basilica di San Benedetto, built in 14th century Gothic style, is a stunning building that features Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements inside. The area is famous in Italy and abroad for its truffles: when visiting make sure you order a plate of spaghetti al tartufo, fol- lowed by a slice of scrumptious ricotta cheese cake. C a s t e l G a n d o l f o , L a z i o . The name of this interesting village comes from the castle built by the Gandolfi family in the 12th century and, today, the borgo is famous for its stunning Papal Palace, embellished by s e v e r a l m a s t e r p i e c e s b y a c c l a i m e d s c u l p t o r G i a n Lorenzo Bernini. The Torlonia Gardens, too, are worth a visit: they are occupied by vegetable patches taken care of by resi- d e n t s a n d b y t h e a m a z i n g I b e r n e s i A r c h e l o g i c a l P a r k , containing some of the remains of Emperor Domitian's villa. While here enjoy bucatini all'a- matriciana -pasta with spicy t o m a t o s a u c e , p a n c e t t a a n d pecorino romano cheese- and locally caught lattarini, small a n d f l a v o r f u l l a k e f i s h , a n d wash it down with Colli Albani wine. C i v i t e l l a d e l T r o n t o , Abruzzo. Civitella del Tronto, once a fortress, still looks like a w a r r i o r , s t a n d i n g h a l f w a y b e t w e e n t h e s h o r e a n d t h e mountains. This village is beau- tiful year round but especially charming in the winter, when its 1 3 t h c e n t u r y w a l l s , n a r r o w alleys and stone houses are sur- rounded by mist. The recently r e s t o r e d C h u r c h o f S a n Francesco, with its bell tower, exquisite rose window on the façade, Baroque interior and fif- teenth century wooden choir stalls, is one the town's most interesting landmarks and defi- nitely worth a visit. Wild boar is one of the most popular dish- e s i n t h e a r e a : o r d e r i t w i t h polenta and a strong local red wine. I Borghi più belli d'Italia: Italy's most beautiful villages Remaining of the Fortress in Civitella del Tronto, Abruzzo Castel Gandolfo, Lazio Frosolone, Molise Piazza San Benedetto, Norcia

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