What better country than Italy to combine travel and art? Between their architecture, history and culture, the Italian nuggets are must-sees to be (re)discovered without delay. For your next holiday or extended weekend, here are some suggestions.
Ah Italy! The dolce vita, the gastronomy, the language of Dante… If our European neighbour has many tourist assets, it also and above all remains the country that so subtly combines art and travel. With its incredibly rich cultural heritage, the country has nearly 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
This is a valuable resource, which places Italy among the most interesting destinations in terms of unique sites to discover. Italy’s artistic and cultural offer is particularly accessible and is available in many places. Here are some of them.
A stone’s throw from Switzerland
Why not start with a site that is only 3.5 hours drive from Geneva? Near Turin, we suggest you start your trip with the Castello di Rivoli, the most important castle in Piedmont. Once the residence of the House of Savoy, this architectural marvel has housed the Museum of Contemporary Art since 1984. In addition to exhibitions, the museum also hosts events such as theatre performances, concerts, screenings and artistic conferences and debates.
Turin, the city with an urban panorama, surrounded by imposing peaks.
Then, two hours by train to the south, Genoa. On the shores of the Ligurian Sea, it’s impossible not to be won over by the region’s charm. And in terms of culture, we invite you to discover the Villa Croce Museum. Here you can appreciate more than 3000 works of Italian and foreign abstract art. An artistic nugget not to be missed!
Heading south
For a more radical change of scenery, there’s nothing better than targeting the south of the country. Among the architectural and cultural gems: Matera.
A town famous for its sassi, a group of troglodyte dwellings carved into the mountainside. Converted into museums, these places are witnesses of the past and contain antique furniture, period handicrafts and sculptures. Don’t miss the famous Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario or the Musma. Not far away, the rock churches, such as that of Santa Lucia alle Malve, are decorated with frescoes dating back to the 13th century.
There are also a number of artistic events not to be missed this autumn, such as the Festival Dei Popoli, in Florence, dedicated to Italian documentary films.
Finally, to end on a literary artistic note, why not take advantage of the many festivals organised throughout the year. The Salone del Libro di Torino, for example, is a great opportunity to discover Italian literature and its authors, provided you are aware of the health regulations in force.
Procida, off the coast of Naples, has been chosen as the Italian Capital of Culture 2022. Numerous cultural and artistic events will be held there, making the coming year very exciting.