Stories
Here you’ll find all of my stories categorized by region. Stories about major cities, including Rome, Milan and Naples, are grouped separately. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Try searching here or contact me.
Messina's Orologio Astronomico: one of the largest and most impressive clocks
In Messina, the Orologio Astronomico is a must-see! It’s one of the world’s largest astronomical clocks. Every day at noon, it performs a show with gilded figures reenacting historical and religious scenes. You’ll see a roaring lion and biblical scenes like the resurrection of Jesus. The other facade features a perpetual calendar as well as a planetarium, showing the solar system.
Duomo di Monreale: masterpiece of Arab-Norman architecture
Planning to visit Sicily? Then don't forget to add Monreale to your itinerary. Monreale is located just outside the city of Palermo and is best known for its cathedral with extraordinary mosaics …
Duomo di Orvieto: Golden Lily of Italian cathedrals
The Duomo di Orvieto was, without a doubt, the highlight of my visit to the city. You can easily spot this landmark from afar, standing proudly on the isolated tufa plateau on which Orvieto is built …
Basilica di San Francesco: masterpiece of human creative genius
Like many towns in Umbria, the medieval city of Assisi is built on a hillslope. From miles away, you can see the city rise from the slopes of Monte Subasio. One building in particular will immediately …
Santuario Madonna della Corona: day trip from Verona
Sometime during the corona lockdown, I was scrolling through my Instagram feed. After a while, I came across a picture of a picturesque church built on the edge of a mountainside …