This cool idea came to mind sometime around Christmas 2013 and me, the master procrastinator, has just now found the inspiration and assembled photos to share in an interesting concept.... Since I love to hike and having lived in Costa Rica for 5 years now, I have seen my share of hikes in jungles, rivers, & mountains. The cruel thing about living in a place so packed with natural terrain and beauty there is a great absence of another great love of mine, ancient historical architecture. So, I figured why not combine the two concepts to exercise the body and mind simultaneously. Here, I offer you a visual presentation of architectural hiking we have experienced here in Italy. I hope you enjoy it!
VOLTERRA!!!
Volterra's Palazzo Priori: four stories of grandeur with grand staircases, trancept ceilings, Prior's quarters and a gorgeous belltower with views of the Tuscan hillsides below.
ROMA!!!
Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome: The fortress orginally built for Harian's tomb, later a place of santuary for the Popes in times of siege, the pope could run through an adjointing wall connected to the Vatican (which still stands) to safety in this fortress which sits along the Tiber River. It has many interior levels and climbs with spectacular views of the city!
Lover's walk, Via dell'Amore, Cinque Terre-a trail set against the side of the mountain overlooking the Meditterranean Sea. Wonderful views of the 5 Italian rivera towns and the sea all around you.
VENEZIA!!!
St. Mark's Cathedral, Doge's Palazzo & the belltower of St. Mark's, Venice. The catherdral is mesmorizing with the gold mosaic frescoed ceilings, relics from the crusades and an awkward, uneven climb of stairs to the balcony where you can view the original version of the horse sculptures that set atop of the facade outside and see the mosaics up close. The Doge's palazzo is equally amazing with many marbled sculptures of Roman gods, grand staircases, and Doge's quarters.
PISA!!!
The Leaning tower of Pisa. A climb of fun with lots of stairs and a funhouse feel as you ascend closer to the top, using walls to hold you up.
It's views of the Duomo and Piazza of Miracles and outward toward the Arno river are spectacular!
ROMA!!!
The Spanish steps in Rome afford you the ability to take in sightseers and locals enjoying life!
FIRENZE!!!!
The Duomo, Bell tower and Palazzo Vecchio, Firenze. We first took to the belltower( over 400 stairs), then a short break and then climbed to the top of the duomo up to the roof- such a spellbinding view of the city! Surely a cardio fix! The Palazzo Vecchio, similar to many other bell towers in Tuscany. This one housed the Medici family. The place where Eleanor of Toledo, Spain hailed as a well-respected mother and Grand Duchess of Tuscany. Lots of stairs and a belltower view of the city as well.
SAN MARINO!!!
San Marino, San Marino!
A city-state that still separates itself from the rest of Italy with it's own government. It is comprised of a pristine city below with three ancient fortress/castles set atop high mountains that give you a view of the Adriantic sea.
One of the many outdoor sculptures in San Marino, this one spoke to me as they are libellulae,(dragonflies) my favorite!
SAN GIMIGNANO!!!
One of San Gimignano's many towers built as a testament of city dweller's wealth and prominence. Medieval Manhattan is a favorite for many of our friends. To climb inside one takes a great deal of strength if you are fearful of heights. The stairscases lie around the exterior of the towers' walls and offer inerior views of great heights inside. With external views of the countryside, whew, I did it.
ROMA!!!
About 17 years ago we visited Rome and the entrances were quite different than today. They were an enter at your own risk, you had to climb the crumbled steps and hope you had two solid ankles at the end. Today, since the milenium celebratory(2000AD) renovations, it is quite an improved site. Still quite a site to know gladiators fought to the death and sea battles were staged below. All for entertainment of the masses! Perhaps, humanity has not changed so much?
And lastly, the first Medieval city that stole my heart! 13 Years ago, Bill took Grant and Liam up these stairs of Torre Mangia, beyond where I climbed these Esher-like stairs of monotony and to the top where the bell hangs. My view from the crinilations: rows of vineyards and olive orchards in the countryside were priceless.
We were so moved by the "Citta" that a year later when our daughter was born we gave her it's namesake:
SIENA!!!!
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