Visiting Piazza Falconieri makes you feel as if you were in a fairytale. The stone used for these beautiful buildings and decorations has a particularly interesting story.

In addition to its Baroque art and architecture, Lecce has a rich ancient history, underscored by a Roman amphitheater, in part still standing, right in the middle of the city. But Lecce's history goes even further back than that.

We visit a famous monastery near Lecce, which got its name from the Olivetan monks who lived there. They had come from another famous monastery in the province of Siena, the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Alberto Angela describes the symbolism of the beautiful, mid-sixteenth century canopy well in the cloister. Today, the monastery houses the University of Salento.

The monastery boasts a beautiful, wide staircase from the first half of the 18th century, with some curious charcoal drawings whose purpose remains a mystery. The monastery went through several transformations before becoming what it is today, the seat of the University of Salento.

We're back in the center of Lecce, where there's one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy, the Piazza Duomo (cathedral square). It can be described as theatrical and eye-poppingly stunning, but it also had an important practical function in its past.

In 1693, there was a terrible earthquake in the south-eastern part of Sicily, and much of it was razed to the ground. The subsequent rebuilding of the cities followed the tenets of the Baroque style that had already taken hold during the Spanish reign.

In Noto, there are two churches facing each other, with the interesting characteristic of having being built to house Benedictine nuns. One of them, the church of Santa Chiara (Saint Clare), went on to become one of the most important examples of Baroque architecture in Sicily.

Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata is one of the largest private residences in all of Noto. Built in the eighteenth century in Baroque style, it was the urban residence of the noble Nicolaci family. Its splendid Baroque balconies, together with the façade of the Church of Montevergine, contribute to creating one of the most characteristic corners of all Noto.

There are a good ninety rooms in Palazzo Nicolaci. As on the outside of the building, symbolism pervades every space, as if there were the fear of emptiness. And, in true Baroque style, it was all created to amaze the eye of the beholder.

Our journey takes us to Modica, in Sicily, where the historic center of the city had to be rebuilt entirely because of an earthquake in 1693. There was also a great flood in the twentieth century, resulting in some other major changes in the layout of the city. It remains a beautiful Baroque city, full of wonders.

By observing the damage wrought by earthquakes, architects were able to figure out the best way to build churches to withstand future seismic events. So, in addition to the Baroque style present in cities like Ragusa, in Sicily, practical considerations were also at the source of certain architectural choices.

Our final stop in the Baroque south of Italy is the church of San Giorgio, a masterpiece of architecture, admired by the entire world. The cathedral appears in the opening credits of the Italian TV series "Inspector Montalbano," and it also features in some episodes.

Michele Zarrillo sings L'elefante e la farfalla [The Elephant and the Butterfly] at Rome's Auditorium in 2014. It was in 1996 that Zarrillo first sang this beautiful ballad.

In this video we hear about the flight of the angel, an extreme sport, and one of the most important tourist attractions of Basilicata. This flight, which takes place about four hundred meters above ground, is one of the highest in Europe.

Milena is at the port of Maratea and she tells us about the beauty of that evocative place. The people of Maratea happily come here, even to just have a walk in the winter.

Milena is at the supermarket and she shows us some products that are commonly eaten by Italians, such as wine, cheese, milk, eggs and bread. Have fun practicing with Milena!

Mattia and Milena meet at a Maratea bar and introduce themselves. Milena is a language student, and Mattia plays in a rock band.

Milena and Mattia meet at a restaurant and order grilled sandwiches and beer. They tell each other what they've been up to in the last few days. Milena spent a lot of time at home studying, while Mattia was busy practicing for a concert.

While Milena and Mattia are waiting to order, they talk about what they'll do that evening. Milena is going to go for a walk and Mattia would like to go with her. They agree to meet later, and set a time.

The incomparable Mina sings a Lucio Battisti - Mogol love song.

Ferzan Özpetek directed this video of images from his movie La Dea Fortuna, for which the song "Luna Diamante" (diamond moon) is part of the soundtrack. The song was written by Ivano Fossati and sung by Mina.

There are various interpretations of this famous song sung by Mina. What or whom does il corvo (the crow) represent? A judge? A priest? An agent? Whoever is seen as an ugly black crow has the power but lacks wisdom.

Three greats: Ferzan Özpetek directed this video. Mina and Celentano, two singers beloved by Italians, get together on this song all about love.

"One Step Away from Me" was written by Fabio Ilacqua and arranged by Adriano Celentano and Celso Valli. Celentano and Mina sing about two lovers trapped between reason and emotion.