![]() Bears and wolves are among the wildlife that call the area home while not to be missed are the dozens of hilltop villages with their stunning scenery.Ĭovering three regions in northern Italy, The Dolomites form a section of the Southern Limestone Alps and are spread across Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino Alto-Adige. The Apennines are characterised by snow-capped mountains but also mountain plains with rich vegetation. They stretch from one of the country to the other and even cross the Messina Strait to Sicily. ![]() Slightly less known for their leisure facilities, the Apennines nonetheless do conceal ski resorts of their own, particularly around the regions of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise. As well as their obvious winter attractions, The Italian Alps are hugely popular during the summer with visitors enjoying the clean, fresh air of the mountain slopes for hiking and the opportunity to swim in a series of lakes in breathtaking locations. ![]() Soon hundreds of small shops and factories all over Italy were making available to everyone that which was once reserved for Kings and Queens.The Italian Alps are perhaps the most famous of Italy's three main mountain ranges the Alpine slopes provide some of Europe's leading ski resorts among which, Italy can count the likes of Sestriere, Madonna di Campiglio and Breuil-Cervinia to name just a few. As the artisans made their way back to their towns and villages, they brought with them their spirit, resolve and their skills. While this could have been a sad ending, it was not. ![]() Ferdinand returned to claim his throne in 1815, but sadly times had changed, and the factory, now in a severe state of disrepair, closed its doors in 1817. In 1803, Napoleon ousted Ferdinand IV from the throne, and without the firm hand of its patron, the factory fell into debt, and eventually was sold to a French firm. These delightful figures, originally produced between 17, still evoke the light-hearted spirit of the time. This dazzling display of artistry was to inspire his son, Ferdinand IV, to inherit his father,s passion for porcelain.įerdinand,s love of the outdoors and sport provided new inspiration for his artisans who captured him and his merry friends and followers in their pursuit of frolic. The ceilings, walls and floors were constructed entirely of porcelain and mirrors. The crowning artistic achievement of Charles VII remains the porcelain room he created for his bride in their summer place at Portici. The tradition of Capodimonte flowers had begun. Soon the royal palace overflowed with porcelain bouquets of incredible artistry and sumptuous color. ![]() Unable to enjoy the beauty of flowers in bloom because of his allergies, he directed his workshops to create delicate floral arrangements in porcelain, each a precious tribute to nature,s real, but all-too-fleeting beauty. Many years passed, and Charles was granted his wish as exquisite Italian-made tea sets, coffee services, statues and tureens began to appear at court. It stood high atop a hill, and it soon became known to all as Capodimonte, which means top of the mountain.Ī school, The Academia del Modello, was also established to train talented young artists in the painstaking techniques of ceramic sculpting. In 1743, The Royal Manufactory of Porcelain was erected on the grounds of the royal place. An enlightened supporter of the arts, Charles immediately resolved that such beauty should be produced in Italy as well. It is a style accredited to the very finest Italian porcelain, and its fascinating origins date to the eighteenth century when Charles VII of Naples and Sicily took Princess Maria Amelia Christina of Saxony for his bride on October 31, 1737.Ī portion of the Princess's fabulous dowry consisted of extraordinary examples of Meissen porcelain produced in her father,s royal workshop. M any of our customers are not sure what Capodimonte means. ![]()
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