FAI Releases List of Italians' 'Cherished' Places to Save
10. Roman Amphitheater, Lucera (Foggia). The most important Roman site in Puglia for its dimensions, and one of the most ancient in southern Italy.
9. Forte San Felice, Chioggia (Venice). In a strategic position at the entrance of the Venice lagoon, it was built by the Republic in 1385 as a defense post. It is now in a severe state of disrepair.
8. Roman Bridge on the Ofanto, Canosa di Puglia. Built between the 1st and 2nd century AD along the ancient Via Traiana road, it is one of the main Roman bridges in Puglia.
7. Tonnara del Secco, San Vito Lo Capo (Sicily). Located by the beach a few kilometers from San Vito, this tuna-fishing complex dates to 1412.
6. Convent of San Nicola - S. Maria della Consolazione, Almenno San Salvatore (Bergamo). Erected at the end of the 15th century during an outbreak of the plague, the complex now houses a vineyard and a restaurant.
5. Ditta Guenzati, Milan. The oldest shop in Milan, it sells British accessories for clothing and fabrics.
4. Archeological area of Capo Colonna, Crotone (Calabria). An area considered sacred in ancient times, this was a large sanctuary dedicated to Hera Lacinia with a column of the temple still standing.
3. Caglieron Caves, Fregona (Treviso). Impressive natural and artificial caves in the Veneto.
2. Santa Croce Monumental Complex, Bosco Marengo (Piedmont). This Dominican church and convent were built in 1566, and even Giorgio Vasari helped in its design.
1. Castle and Park of Sammezzano, Reggello (Florence). Once a magnificent castle, and a prime example of Moorish art in Italy, Sammezzano is now in a serious state of neglect.
FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), a non-profit organization working to protect and restore Italy's cultural heritage, has released the results of 'I Luoghi del Cuore', a survey carried out every two years where Italians are asked to vote for their 'cherished' places, "places of the heart" that they wish to save and preserve for future generations.
Thanks to the survey, more than 50,000 sites across Italy have been highlighted, resulting in direct protection interventions whenever possible.
Almost 1.6M votes have been registered in the last survey. Here are the ten places that received the most votes, which may inspire you to pay a visit and contribute to their preservation.
