In more than 200 striking images, Italy celebrates perhaps the most beautiful country in the world. From the natural beauty of lakes such as Como or Garda and the volcanic mountains of Vesuvius and Etna to the vineyards and beaches in Tuscany, from the pretty seaside towns of the Cinque Terre to the glory of Venice’s canals and palaces, from the magnificence of classical antiquity in Rome, to the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum outside Naples, from the Arab-Norman architecture of Palermo to Renaissance Florence and on to monumental 1930s architecture, there is just so much to feast on in Italy.

But apart from the famous highlights, Italy also features lesser known sides to the country, be it pretty, unexplored corners and examples of everyday life, from food markets in the backstreets of Naples to abandoned buildings in the Dolomites, from deserted towns in Sicily to cave dwellings in Basilicata to a submerged church in a flooded Alpine valley. Arranged by region, the book explores Italian history and culture from antiquity to the present day.

Presented in a landscape format and with captions explaining the fascinating stories behind each entry, Italy is a stunning collection of images.

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