Four documentaries created by RAI Culture (Italian public television) explore the regions of the Alto Adige, Umbria, Abruzzo, and Basilicata. The viewer is treated to breathtaking landscapes, and the narrator provides historical background to the many architecturally significant places that are visited. Richly ornamented Romanesque churches are featured, including places associated with St. Francis of Assisi (1181/2 - 1226).
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The first of a six-part series on the Trentino-Alto Adige area of Italy, also known as South Tyrol, reveals majestic alpine landscapes and masterpieces of medieval art.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Majestic mountains, clear lakes, and enigmatic medieval frescoes characterize the area surrounding Termeno.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
We get a glimpse of some of the amazing frescoes in this part of Italy.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The segment features the 13th century Roncolo Castle, where frescoes give precious insights into the life of the nobility in the Medieval period. The footage of the Valley of the Lakes is also spectacularly beautiful.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Buonconsiglio Castle in Beseno is the highlight of this segment. The castle boasts a frescoed cycle with scenes from the everyday life of farmers and nobles, circa 1400.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The final segment on the Alto Adige features the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The series will continue with other Italian regions.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
There are so many beautiful spots in Italy. Umbria is next on our list!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
This segment shows us the Abbey of Saints Felix and Maurus as well as Norcia, the birthplace of Saint Benedict. Little remains of the cathedral after the earthquake in 2016. Here are some photos of what has remained.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
We're still in the area of the Nera river valley, and there are plenty more beautiful sights to see.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The Abbey of Saint Eutizio is featured in this segment. It was largely destroyed in the earthquake of October 31, 2016. Its reconstruction is in the planning stage.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Cascia and Visso are explored in this segment. The narrator makes the point that Umbria is the land of saints, naming: Saints Francis, Clare, Benedict, and Rita.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The series on Umbria ends with amazing landscape shots of Castelluccio, including fields of poppies, cornflowers, and lentil flowers. Castelluccio's lentils are justly renowned.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The Abruzzo Region, sometimes known as the Abruzzi with an i in older publications, is the area of interest for this six-segment video. This segment concentrates on the Piccolomini Castle in Marsica.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Highlights include a church straddling the Romanesque and Gothic in Celano, and Massa d'Albe (the Roman city of Alba Fucens), where there is an amphitheater excavated from rock. The word arena comes from the Latin word harena, or sand. Sand was used on arena floors to catch the blood lost during gladiator games and the like.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The segment highlights two medieval churches near the ancient site of Alba Fucens. Both churches display ornamental facings made from pieces of colored marble that are intricately pieced together, what is known as Cosmatesque work.
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