The 12 best medieval towns in Italy โ€” time travel without the plague

Italy preserves more intact medieval urban fabric than any country in Europe. These 12 towns make the Middle Ages feel inhabitable.

Plan a trip here โ†’

The fortified

1. San Gimignano, Tuscany โ€” 14 towers. 2. Gubbio, Umbria โ€” grey stone, severe, Corsa dei Ceri. 3. Monteriggioni, Tuscany โ€” Dante's ring fortress. 4. Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio โ€” crumbling tufa island.

The preserved

5. Erice, Sicily โ€” Norman-Phoenician walls at 751m. 6. Gradara, Le Marche โ€” Paolo & Francesca's castle. 7. Bevagna, Umbria โ€” Roman mosaics, medieval market reenactment. 8. Vigoleno, Emilia-Romagna โ€” 300 people inside walls.

The surprising

9. Finalborgo, Liguria โ€” walled town inside a beach town. 10. Sermoneta, Lazio โ€” Caetani castle, Giardino di Ninfa. 11. Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena, Liguria โ€” stone labyrinth, almost no residents. 12. Gerace, Calabria โ€” largest Romanesque cathedral in Calabria.

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