4 of Italy's unique and captivating regions

Pompeii is a well-preserved ancient city. — Photos: Italy Tourism website

Pizza, pasta, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. What do all of these have in common? Well, they originate from Italy and are no doubt the first things that pop up in your mind at the mention of the country.

Italy has a total of 20 regions, each of them a world unto itself with their unique blend of cultures, traditions and histories.

From the coastal charms of Sardinia to the rolling hills of Tuscany, let’s take a look at what makes certain regions in the boot-shaped land worth a visit.

These stone structures are left behind by the Nuragic civilisation.

Sardinia

This island region lies to the west of mainland Italy in the Tyrrhenian Sea. An island surrounded by azure waters and untamed beauty, it is mostly known for its stunning beaches.

Beyond that, you can find fort-like stone towers known as nuraghe dotting the island abundantly. Su Nuraxi di Barumini in Samatzai, which is inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage Site list, is the best-preserved among them.

These structures represent the architectural style of the Nuragic civilisation that once called the island their home.

If you happen to be visiting the streets of Stampace on May 1, you will find a procession of beautifully decorated carriages, horses and village folks in their colourful traditional costumes there.

This unique religious festival called the Feast of Sant’Efisio is the longest procession in Italy, covering a total of 60km on foot in the span of four days – from Stampace to the city of Nora.

Tracing back to the 17th century, this festival fulfils the promise made by the people of Cagliari to honour Saint Efisio, who banished the plague ravaging the region.

You can take part in the procession – just be sure to arrive as early as 8am and bring lots of water as you will be joined by a large crowd.

Sardinians honour Saint Efisio by participating in one of the longest processions in Italy. — Sardinia Tourism website

Campania

A land shaped by fire, this region is notably marked by volcanic history in ways few other places have.

The volcanic eruption in 79 CE may be familiar to some, especially history buffs. It buried parts of the region under thick layers of ash and pumice.

As devastating as it was, the tragedy ended up preserving the cities and creating a time capsule that you can now walk through in Unesco-listed Pompeii and Herculaneum (now Ercolano). The homes, artefacts and plaster casts of the victims’ bodies frozen in eternal time tells the important story of a civilisation caught in a sudden tragedy.

Campania is also uniquely famous for one of its incredible coastal landscapes, namely the Amalfi Coast.

Picture this: pastel-coloured buildings cascading down the cliff, narrow roads lined with bougainvillea and a breathtaking vista of the shimmering turquoise sea below. This is what awaits you in Positano, one of the cliffside towns you can visit on the scenic stretch of the coastline.

Peeking out amid the colourful facades and rooftops is the striking majolica-tiled dome of the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, a Catholic church overlooking the beach.

Whether you’re savouring the fresh seafood in a seaside trattoria or enjoying the sun and hidden coves in the beach below, you will surely get a taste of the dolce vita way of living.

The colourful cliffside buildings of Positano overlooking the Amalfi Coast. — Unsplash

Tuscany

What do you get when you combine soccer, rugby and wrestling? The answer is the calcio storico fiorentino, also known as “football in costume”.

The sport is played in the sand-covered Piazza Santa Croce in Tuscany, which can be argued as the most postcard-perfect region in all of Italy. With its rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop towns and Renaissance heritage, how could it not capture the hearts of travellers who find their way here?

The sport, which originated from the region’s capital city, Florence, takes place every June. If you plan on watching the matches, do keep in mind that the sport is notorious for being a physically intense and violent sport with all-out brawls breaking out between the players.

The crowd in Piazza del Campo watching the Palio di Siena. — ROBERTO VICARIO/Wikimedia Commons

Another exhilarating tradition you can experience in this region is the Palio di Siena. Every year on July 2 and Aug 16, 10 horses and their riders representing one of the 17 city wards in Siena compete in the bareback horse race.

Taking place in the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Palio extends beyond the historic race. It is also a major cultural event where you can delight in the parades and festivities leading up to the race.

Puglia

The mention of white-walled houses with conical roofs might not strike you as a unique architecture style, but the Trulli in Puglia will change your mind.

Puglia, known as the “heel of Italy’s boot”, is a region rich in history and unique architecture drenched under the sun.

One of its most iconic sights are the Trulli houses of Alberobello. Similar to what you would find in fairytales, these unique-looking dwellings were built using dry stone construction, which does not involve using mortar – a feat all on its own!

Dating back to as early as the 14th century, these houses were famously thought to be constructed by locals as a way to evade taxes. Now recognised by Unesco as a World Heritage Site for their architectural ingenuity, some of these Trulli houses have been turned into hotels or restaurants that tourists can visit.

The mysterious Castel del Monte sits atop a hill in the Puglia region.

Adding to Puglia’s architectural mystique is another Unesco-listed site, the Castel del Monte, an enigmatic castle built in the 13th century.

Located on a hill in the city of Andria, the castle was constructed in a perfectly octagonal shape and exhibits an unusual blend of classical antiquity, Islamic Orient and Gothic architectural styles.

Its geometric precision and alignment with celestial patterns only add to the allure of the castle, whose real purpose of existence continues to remain a mystery.

As you stand under the perfectly-octagonal open roof, it is easy to understand why the castle is one of the country’s most fascinating medieval buildings.