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.

 
 
Rome Matthijs Haak Rome Matthijs Haak

Gasometro: the steel Colosseum in Ostiense

Rome is renowned for its history and landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican, yet many tourists overlook the lesser-known Gasometro in the Ostiense district. This area was industrialized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Gasometro, a 90-meter-high gas storage became obsolete in the 1960s but is now a cultural hub, showcasing adaptive reuse of industrial heritage.

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Rome Matthijs Haak Rome Matthijs Haak

Porta Magica: learn how to turn base metals into gold

Near Termini station lies the Porta Magica, a 17th-century relic tied to alchemy. Once part of Villa Palombara, it features symbols left by alchemist Giuseppe Francesco Borri, who allegedly found a way to turn metals into gold. Though now fenced off, the gate remains a mysterious monument in Piazza Vittorio, inviting curious visitors to decode its secrets.

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Sicily Matthijs Haak Sicily Matthijs Haak

Grotta Mangiapane: a hidden cave settlement frozen in time

Grotta Mangiapane, in Sicily's Mount Cofano Nature Reserve, is the largest of the Scurati Caves and once served as a prehistoric settlement. In 1819, the Mangiapane family turned it into a village, adding homes, stables, and workshops. Abandoned in the 1950s, it has since been restored. Today, Visitors can explore the cave and its original buildings, offering a glimpse into past daily life.

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Sicily Matthijs Haak Sicily Matthijs Haak

San Vito lo Capo: the Sicilian Caribbean

For me, Sicily has all the ingredients for a perfect holiday: a rich history, delicious food, beautiful nature, and some of Italy's most beautiful beaches. One of these beautiful beaches can be found in San Vito lo Capo …

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Sicily Matthijs Haak Sicily Matthijs Haak

Trinacria: the symbol of Sicily

Have you visited Sicily? Then you must have noticed the island's distinctive symbol. It consists of three bent legs, three stalks of wheat, and a strange-looking female head. The symbol is displayed everywhere …

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Sicily Matthijs Haak Sicily Matthijs Haak

Sicily: a brief history lesson

The island of Sicily is both the largest region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its strategic location in the middle of the Mediterranean, Sicily has been conquered and ruled by many …

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Umbria Matthijs Haak Umbria Matthijs Haak

Orvieto: Umbrian hilltop gem

Orvieto is definitely one of my favorite places in Umbria. The town is perched on top of a steep tufa hill that rises amid the verdant landscape. But the beautiful location of the city …

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Umbria Matthijs Haak Umbria Matthijs Haak

Terni: city of love and steel

Terni is the second-largest city in Umbria and is located in the region's south. Unlike many of Umbria's medieval towns, Terni's layout and architecture are mainly modern. This is the result …

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Umbria Matthijs Haak Umbria Matthijs Haak

Trevi: Umbria’s capital of olive oil

Between Foligno and Spoleto, the medieval town of Trevi rises from the slopes of Monte Serano. Most of the town is densely built around the hilltop, offering you some of the best views in Umbria …

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