The Wonderful Towns of Italy [antikvár]

To my friend the Visitor First and foremost, welcome to Italy. In compiling this book, I have had the aim of taking you symbolically by the hand to guide you to the artistic and natural beauties of Italy. You will realise that this country is a succession, from one end t<\ the other of beautiful things that the Almighty has generously given us throughout the centuries and the life of man. I will not tell you in chronological order what are the most beautiful and grandiose things to visit because here everything is great, mysterious, vibrant with life. Let us not speak of the History of Italy, which everyone knows and whose imprint and trace you will have occasion to see everywhere. What interests you is the art and the beauty of Italy. And Italy herself is an artistic monument, like e vast mosaic formed from her every brick and stone. The Colosseum in Rome, Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Ducal Palace in Venice, the Normans' Palace at Palermo, the Leaning Tower at Pisa, the Cathedral in Milan, the Civic Palace at Siena are only small stones and bricks of this mosaic of art which is called Italy. As regards paintings and sculpture too} I will not advise you to see first of all the Uffizi Gallery in Florence or the National Terme Museum in Rome. In this too, my friend, the whole of Italy is an Art Gallery in which the genius of man has been at work everywhere. You will agree with me when you are back at home! Edoardo Bonechi