The Island of Procida is the new italian Capital of Culture
- At January 19, 2021
- By Zia Lucy
- In Local Tours and History
- 0
Yesterday I received the incredible news that Procida has been named Italian Capital of Culture for 2022.
Many of you are asking now what does Capital of Culture mean and where is Procida. Here is some information and travel tips for you.
Italian Capital of Culture
It’s a City, designated by the Italian government for a period of one year with the aim of preserving and enhancing the cultural and landscape heritage. Started in 2014, the project supports, encourages and enhances the capacity of Italian cities in the fields of culture in order to valorize social cohesion, integration, conservation and innovation for a better collective well-being. procida won the competition out of 10 cities of great interest. The project, carried out by the Island, represents not only the Isle itself but all the Tourist Municipalities in Campania. A project made to valorize our beautiful land but, above all, to relaunch a tourism that seems to have disappeared. A project which has involved everyone, conscious that culture becomes a fundamental pivot to re-establish connections and relationships between people, to cancel social diversity and break down architectural barriers, to develop a slow tourism, so that the tourist becomes a citizen.
Procida
Considered a secret Island, Procida is not as popular as the closer Capri and Ischia but it has chosen by many directors for a set of important movies like “Il Postino”. It is a small enchanting place of volcanic origin with about 10.000 inhabitants, winding narrow streets, colored houses and lavish nature. You fall in love with this Island as soon as you get to Terra Murata, the steep and fortified historic center from where you can admire a breathtaking panorama on the bay of Napoli. Procida reminds me a bit Positano of 1960s: small colored houses of fisherman and friendly people who are really proud of where they live and about their simple life, great food and relaxing beaches.
What to see:
- The Abbey of San Michele: a Benedictine structure dating back the 11th century, destroyed and rebuilt different times, whose current architecture is from the 16th century. Many legends are connected to the patron saint, the archangel Michael, and among these it’s worth to mention an invasion of pirates led by the corsair Khair-al-Din, well known as Barbarossa (red beard). According to the legend, pirates couldn’t invade Procida because the archangel Michael appeared in the sky with his flaming sword to protect the island.
- Palazzo d’Avalos: built by the Avalos Family during the 16th century, it became a prison, then a noble palace, then a prison again until its closure in 1988. Nowadays it’s a Museum and it is possible to book a guided tour on: https://www.comune.procida.na.it/index.php?action=index&p=647
- Casale Vascello: with its colorful houses, leaning against each other, this neighborhood retains all the charm of the past. My first impression was of finding myself in a small world suspended in time, where silence and a few voices of residents help to create a magical and unique atmosphere.
- Island of Vivara: a small strip of land connected to Procida by an old bridge and populated by rare plants, birds and archaeological finds. Vivara is a protected natural oasis since 1974 and the only building you can see is a 17th century house which later became a Hunting Lodge for the Bourbon Family. Led by certified naturalistic guides, visits are available from Friday to Sunday, by reservation and pre payment on: http://www.vivarariservanaturalestatale.it
- House of Graziella: a reconstructed building which commemorates the love of Alphonse de Lamartine for Graziella, a young lady who died for tuberculosis. In 1811, the French poet, almost at the end of his Grand Tour of Italy, arrived in Procida and fell in love with a young orphan, Graziella, who was living with her brother and grandparents in a fisherman’s house. Later in 1849, Lamartine wrote a beautiful novel about this romantic love, made so special by the simplicity and rare beauty of Graziella.
Where to eat:
- La Lampara: considered one of the best restaurants in Procida, la Lampara offers fresh food and delicious pastries. I recommend to eat seared tuna with pistacchio and vegetables or pasta with 4 different kind of shrimps, but all their food is great. The restaurant is sited in a very panoramic area of La Corricella. I recommend to book in advance: http://www.hotelcorricella.it/it.html
- La Medusa: one of the first restaurants on the port, it combines the oldest culinary tradition with a new touch made by the youngest generation in the family. The menu is based on fresh food enriched with local flavors. You can find La Medusa in Via Roma, 116. At the m moment they do not have a website but you can follow their IG: @ristorante_la_medusa_
- Maresia: a hotel and a solarium-beach club with a Lounge Bar, ideal for aperitivo and some fresh salads or sandwiches: https://www.maresiaprocida.it/it/index.html
Food Suggestion: Procida is famous for salted anchovies. According to the tradition, fishermen’s wives used to put in salt the anchovies they couldn’t sell. This was a way to preserve food and the smallest salted anchovies are delicious. I have an addiction to them but I understand the taste could be “too much” for those who are not used to strong flavors. If you are brave enough, I highly recommend to taste it.
Where to Sleep: even if many people go to Procida just for one day, I suggest to enjoy the Island more. You can include a stay for a night during your holidays in Napoli, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast or Ischia. There are a lot of B&B, Apartments and Hotels. Maresia and La Corricella offer rooms and I loved Casa Bormioli: http://www.casabormioli.it/landing7/
The Municipality of Procida will organise incredible festivals for 2022. Don’t miss it and have a look at their website: https://www.comune.procida.na.it
Photo: courtesy of Giuseppe Merolla
All You need to know about Positano and Capri, The most incredible spots on heart!
- At March 06, 2018
- By Zia Lucy
- In Local Tours and History
- 0
Capri and Positano are picturesque and beautiful towns of our incredible Italy and they are considered the best places in the world as well. Capri’s stoned and white washed buildings along with peaceful streets, free from cars and noise gives off a very lavish kind of charm with a cinematic touch. Positano, on the other hand, being a beautiful beach town on the coast of Amalfi, is famous for its colorful buildings and exotic scenery.
Although those towns can be extremely crowded during the High- Season, there are some quiet spots to enjoy.
Around Capri Town and its sightings:
The beautiful Island is divided into two towns:
- Capri is a busy little town, usually filled with tourists all year round. The town of Capri is situated on a plateau, way above the sea. The island’s main port is connected by bus and a funicular.
- The other town, called Anacapri, is situated on a higher plateau and can be reached by first going to Capri town since they’re connected by zig zag roads across the cliffs.
Capri is a glamorous little town filled with expensive hotels and little shops. It is a really costly place to stay in but travelers prefer staying there comparative to the island’s other settlements.
The best streets to visit include Vittorio Emanuele, the viewpoint on Faragiloni Rocks called Punta Tragara and the monastery of Certosa di San Giacomo along with the little gardens of Giardini di Augusto. Taking a stroll around these spots and enjoying the view would a be a great way to spend your trip to the island. If you prefer a “off-the- beaten- path” experience, you can walk to Arco Naturale (Natural Arch), through a quiet footpath surrounded by nature and beautiful little white villas, take the steps down to Matermania Cave (with roman ruins) and keep going to the center enjoying the view on Faraglioni Rocks.
My suggestion is to eat at Le Grottelle, a little restaurant above Arco Naturale where you can enjoy pasta, seafood and a great variety of wine.
Anacapri is a charming place on the other side of the island where you can find the little Church of San Michele with an incredible majolica floor dated 18th century, The magic Villa San Michele, a paradise on heart as somebody said and lots of shops selling sandals, souvenirs and clothes.
You can decide to walk to Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) but I highly recommend to take the chairlift up to Mount Solaro and enjoy the view from there.
Capri and Anacapri are also great places to hike, feel free to contact me for extra info.
Read more»Four things to love about Naples, a city full of surprises.
- At March 02, 2017
- By Zia Lucy
- In City life, Local Tours and History
- 0
What’s not to love about Naples? Despite what lots of people think, this beautiful city is filled to the brim with culture, color, and wine. The city’s history goes deep into the ancient past, and aspects of long-gone eras mix sensually with modern delights in every corner of the city. From food to art, here are the things we know you’ll love about Naples.
Food
It’s hard to pick just a few dishes that stand out in Naples. From sea food to pizza, Naples has some of the best Italian cuisine you’ll find anywhere. When you visit the city, you have to try Impepata di Cozze, a mussel dish spiced with freshly-ground black pepper. If your tastes are bit less exotic, go for some ragù, a more familiar dish made of meats and tomato sauce served on pasta. Of course, you can’t visit Italy without trying some pizza! Be sure to go to one of the finest pizzerias: Sorbillo, Vesi and Da Michele are my favorite but prepare yourself for a long queue. Another option should be to eat PIZZA A PORTAFOGLIO (folded pizza): it’s a folded pizza that you can eat take away, my favourite is Pizzeria Portalba!
If you go for fried pasta, Di Matteo is the best.
If you are looking for a great meal, don’t miss Ristorante Don Vesuvio where you will have the best Neapolitan experience with Francesco and Valeria: great food, good quality, home atmosphere:
Don Vesuvio, Vico San Domenico Maggiore, Napoli, +390812520074.
What Neapolitans eat is baccalà, salted cod, cooked into different ways. My favourite place for eating baccalà is Osteria Baccalaria. When I first went there, I would have eaten all but I chose Fried and baked cod:
Pizza and Pasta may get all the credit in Italy, but don’t forget about dessert! Naples has some of the most delightful desserts you’ll find in Europe: Sfogliatella and Rhum Babà are the best seller but during Easter, Neapolitans eat Pastiera.
Read more»The ruins of Pompeii, my new guided tours to discover our history
When visiting Italy, most tourists are looking to see the sights and places and the ruins of Pompeii are considered to be one of the most astonishing archaeological places to visit in the world. Zia Lucy, as a licensed guide, is now proud to offer walking tours inside the ruins for anyone wanting to experience history, culture and archeology!
The Ruins and Their History
The origins of Pompeii are not well known, but many historians believe that the colony was established in the 7th century BC. Eventually the colony became roman after the fall of the Greeks and Samnites in that area. Years before Pompeii was covered in volcanic ash and dust, a major earthquake stuck the city forcing most of the population to evacuate to other surrounding areas of Italy.
Read more»
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