Italy is an amazing country, where the main European values began: culture in principle, Christianity and the Renaissance. Just as a lover constantly wants to talk about the subject of his thoughts, so someone who has visited Italy will never get rid of memories of it. It is impossible to see and understand it immediately, without prior acquaintance. Architecture, painting, sculptures. History, philosophy, literature, cinema, Italian tenors. The book will tell you about all this wealth. After reading it, you will be ready to receive a sea of impressions and not choke on them. The guide will introduce you to the history of Italy for 2500 years, with great artists, architects, sculptors, condottieres, emperors, popes and doges, great dynasties. One of the best modern Italian guides will take you through the most famous cities of Italy. The guide is written in the style of a Russian essay with witty comments. This book cannot be put down: it is a voracious read. Open it. CONTENTS: INSTEAD OF PREFACE 5

INTRODUCTION 8

MILAN 23If there is time left 54The fate of the Milanese dynasties 58BERGAMO 65The man who changed the course of the war 75SIRMIONE 81

VERONA 84Dante - Florence or Verona? 100

VENICE 105A little poetry 105A little history. Carnival and talents 107 Poem of stone, canals and gondoliers 114 The open room of Europe 115 San Marco Cathedral or the Byzantine miracle of Venice 117 Piazzetta and Fondamenta 120 Palazzo Ducale 123 Accademia Gallery and Scuola Grande San Rocco 129 Canal Grande 131 Simply Venice 133 If there is time left 136Big Venice - the islands 140This mysterious, sleeping San Michele 142And once again the Canal Grande 144Dates and times 146Unknown Jacopo Tatti 147

BOLONA 151If there is time left 166The illegitimate child of the great Matilda 167

PISA 170If there is time left 183Tell me who is your enemy 186LUCA 191If there is time left 199Musician of the Republic of Lucca 200FLORENCE 203From Caesar to the Medici 203Piazza Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi 214This unique Ponte Vecchio 222BOKpyr Duomo 225San - Lorenzo 230Santa - Croce 236Piazzale Michelangelo 240If there is time left 242Fate Medici family 248

SIENA 256If there is time left 268Talent denied 269NAPLES 274If there is time left 298Castle Castel Nuovo 300

POMPEI 304 Practical route 319 Pliny the Elder - attempt at rescue 320

SORRENTO 322If there is time left 327Torna a Surriento 328CAPRI 331If there is time left 347The Genius of Capri 349

ROME 354From ancient Rome to the papal 354Alleys in the most famous Rome 363Piazza di Spagna. Spanish Steps 365 Trevi 372 Piazza Navona. Campo dei Fiori 374Church of Peter in Vincoli 383Return of ancient Rome 386Ancient and papal Capitol 392Piazza Venice. Imperial Forums 394 Pantheon District 397 Unexplored Rome 401 San Laterano 404 St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican 407 Vatican Museums 415 This wonderful unknown Trastevere 423 The most ancient route to the South. Quo vadis? 428If there was time left 430Tivoli 430Piazza del Popolo 432He never received education 437EPILOGUE 442NAME INDEX 447