UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Three UNESCO sites to visit:
- Trulli of Alberobello
- Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco
- Piazza Del Duomo
UNESCO convention was established in 1972. Most noteworthy, Italy has the most World Heritage sites with a total of 53. Also, Italy shares five sites with other countries. Four of their UNESCO sites are natural. Italy has the largest number of cultural sites with 47. In second place is Spain with 39 cultural UNESCO sites.
Italy added 25 Italian sites during the 1990’s alone. For the entire decade, Italy was a member of the World Heritage Committee, adding 10 sites at the 21st session which was held in Naples, Italy in 1997. Consequently, thus branding UNESCO as a biased Italian organization by other countries.
Italy served for a total of 25 years as a member of the World Heritage Committee within four different time spans.
Trulli of Alberobello a UNESCO site
First of all, I have fond memories of visiting Trulli located in Alberobello in 2011. While Trullo is singular where Trulli is plural. A traditional trullo is an Apulian dry stone hut. The hut usually features a conical, domed or pyramidal roof of corbelled stone slabs. The oldest Trulli date back to the 14th century. Trulli’s were built as permanent dwellings by small proprietors or agricultural laborers or as nonpermanent field shelters and storehouses. In conclusion, I recommend you visit Alberobello on your next trip to Italy. Breathe the charming Trulli atmosphere.
Trulli Roof Tops
Adventure to Assisi
Another UNESCO site is Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites. In September 2017 I visited Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, one of Italy’s patron saints. The Basilica houses the crypt of the saint’s stone sarcophagus. St. Francis founded the Franciscan religious order within the Catholic Church. In contrast to the Trulli, Assisi most noteworthy for the religious aspect.
The Way of Saint Francis was discussed in a previous Spoleto blog.
Pop over to Pisa
In addition to the two locations above another UNESCO site is Piazza Del Duomo in Pisa. This is one of the finest architectural complexes in the world. It is an important center of European medieval art. The Piazza is owned by the Catholic Church and is considered sacred. Piazza Del Duomo contains four great religious edifices which include Pisa Cathedral, Pisa Baptistry, Campanile, and Camposanto Monumentale. The Campanile, a freestanding bell tower in the square, is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Italian name for it is Torre Pendente di Pisa. While in contrast to the other structures, the freestanding bell tower was built on the soft ground and started to lean during construction. Hence, the soft ground made it difficult to support the weight.
Piazza del Duomo, Pisa
Leaning Tower or Pisa
Let us arrange an educational tour for you, visit one of these UNESCO sites today.