Italy is unsurpassed in the richness of her colorful traditions and historical treasures, the beauty of her landscape and the lively rhythm of everyday life. Through handsome full-color photographs, this book conveys the irresistible charm of the most celebrated nation in the world.

Beautiful, noble, dynamic Italy welcomes countless visitors in every season of the year. A journey along the peninsula never ceases to fill the eyes with wonder: the spectacular ruins of Roman civilization, the sumptuous art of Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches, the rugged Alpine ranges, the light reflected on Mediterranean beaches.

Italy has modern cities and simple villages, a rich tradition of folklore and the latest in technology, and a heritage mediated by centuries of culture. Famed for its art and archeology and for its natural beauty, Italy is above all a nation of varied and thrilling human landscapes.

Pride in the Past and the Future

An Iridescent Fable

The Mountains: Enormous Sentries.

2- 3 A masterpiece of Venetian

Baroque architecture, the Church of

Santa Maria della Salute is one of

the largest buildings on the Grand

Canal.

4-5 La Scala is the pride of Milan

and perhaps the most famous opera

house in the world.

6 In the heart of Padua, Piazza dei

Signori and its magnificent monu-

ments symbolize the city's former

power.

7 Thegardens of Palazzo Reale, dec-

orated with flower beds and neo-clas-

sic statues, provide a green oasis in

the heart of Turin.

8-9 A point above the Greek theater

of Taormina affords a splendid view

of the Sicilian coast, dominated by

Mt. Etna.

10-11 The beach at Budelli in Sar-

dinia is known for the warm pink

color of its coralline sand.

12-13 Sunrise highlights the majesty

of Cima Tosa, part of the Brenta

Group within the Dolomite Range.

14-15 The medieval towers of San

Gimignano loom over the city,

bathed in the warm light of the set-

ting sun.