Explore the Rich Culture in Italy

Meet People Creating the Culture in Italy!

Interested in experiencing the culture in Italy and want to start planning a trip? You've come to the right place! Here's PAC's bird's-eye-view of the best locales to experience authentic Italian culture, which is followed by a growing collection of articles, interviews and videos featuring local Italian people & their perspective on their heritage & traditions!

Italy is considered the birthplace of Western Civilization, and yet it is a relative newcomer as a unified country, which occurred only in 1871. Previously a collection of autonomous states that were ruled by leaders ranging from the papacy to Napoleon Bonaparte, the Spanish, and Austrians. Today in each region, you can still sense distinctive influences on the architecture, food and other manifestations of cultural heritage. Italian people have a diverse cross-section of customs and histories and often feel most aligned with their region.

Emilia Romagna Is Food and Art Lovers' Paradise

Emilia Romagna is a region in Northern Italy, and one of the wealthiest areas in Europe due not only to its GDP but its rich heritage as a center of thought, culture and gastronomy. Romanesque and Renaissance architecture abound, including walled cities like Ferrara and impressive castles like Torrechiara. Parma and Modena are home to some of the world's best-loved foods like Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar so sweet it's used as an ice cream topping. Small villages like Brisighella and Dozza are rated as some of the 100 most beautiful small towns in Italy-- identified as such with orange flags by the Touring Club Italiano, founded in 1894. The Po Delta's value as a highly precious natural ecosystem was recognized by UNESCO in 1999 for being a unique cultural landscape and example of intelligent human construction within nature.

Modena Offers Culture Lovers Treasures

Modena in Emilia Romagna offers culture lovers treasures that span the ancient and contemporary. Learn about the home of Ferrari and royal palaces!

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Fall in Love with Mosaics in Ravenna

Ancient mosaics in Ravenna are renowned. Let us give you their backstory and introduce a mosaic artist continuing the tradition.

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Ferrara in Italy Full of Unique History and Traditions

Ferrara in Italy has cultural attractions like Estense Castle, Jewish Quarter and more! Get local's takes on the best of the city’s culture!

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Po River Delta: Locals Share History and Traditions

Italy’s Po River Delta has three must-see cultural attractions, which are Comacchio, Pomposa Abbey and the Po Delta Biosphere Reserve.

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Discover Goro! Charming Fishing Community in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna Region

Go off-the-beaten path with Francesca Lamantea for a taste of local life with a visit to Goro, Ferrara in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna.

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Balsamic Vinegar From Modena | An Ancient Art and Science

Making balsamic vinegar from Modena Italy is a calculated and strict process to ensure great taste. Learn how it’s made from Davide Lonadri!

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Prosciutto di Parma of Emilia Romagna, A Staple at the Italian Table

Prosciutto di Parma has been on the Italian table for generations. Learn from Michela Conti, whose family has been making it for many years.

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Parmigiano Reggiano, an Ancient Process of Tradition in Parma Italy

Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is a rich tradition of Italy, and 3rd generational cheese-maker Serena Peveri dishes on family and Italian culture.

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The Inspiration of Tuscany's Landscape

Tuscany is perhaps Italy's best-known region, regarded as the home of the Italian Renaissance. In fact, the real cultural catalysts lived a Millennia earlier--the Etruscans, a sophisticated civilization that flourished here from 800 - 4th century B.C. It's said that it was the Etruscans who taught the Romans the alphabet. Successful traders, the Etruscans left a rich legacy of artistic traditions that include metal-working and sculpture, many of which live on today in Tuscany's hill towns of Pitigliano, Sovano, San Gimignano and Volterra.

Lessons from Tuscan Spa Town Montecatini on Harmony & The Flow of Life

Experience the cultural landscape of Montecatini from the perspective of local people and learn about the history of its healing spring waters.

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Power of Place: San Gimignano

The Power of Place: Tuscany’s San Gimignano and Local Cledy Tancredi’s Story. The power of a place draws people to it: crusaders, pilgrims, etc.

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Faces of Tuscany

Meet the Smiling Faces of Tuscany Locals! A tribute to the warm hospitality, smiling faces & friendly spirit of the people in Italy's Tuscany.

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Sicily A Mosaic of Cultural Influences

The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily used to serve as both a power base and a granary for numerous civilizations, from the Elymians who arrived from Asia Minor in 1200 B.C., to the sea-faring Phoenicians, and then the Greeks, Romans, Normans and Spanish. Each wave of dynasties contributed to Sicily's culture, and ultimately, its beauty. Left behind are significant historical sites like the well-preserved ruins of seven Doric-style Greek temples, as well as a former royal chapel in the capital city of Palermo containing ancient Byzantine mosaics.

Guide to Best Things To Do in Sicily

Our guide to the best things to do in Sicily reveals the island’s must-see palaces, cathedrals, medieval villages and Greek ruins.

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Sicilian Food, The Passion of Sicilian Chef Roberto Carpitella

Sicilian food is unique and traditional. A Trapani chef reveals the historic cultural influences and abundant local eco system that inspire it.

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Good Friday Tradition in Trapani Sicily Honors Faith and Heritage

Sicily’s Good Friday tradition of Misteri di Trapani is one of Europe’s most ancient religious festivals, and honors Trapani’s heritage.

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Monreale Cathedral in Sicily | Fatimid Architecture and Byzantine Mosaics

Monreale Cathedral owes its existence to the 12th-century cultural fusion of Norman ambition, Fatimid architecture and Byzantine mosaics.

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History of Sicily Alive Today in Rich Artisanal Traditions

The history of Sicily offers rich artisanal traditions like ceramics and folk art. Read our interview with a Sicilian cultural connoisseur!

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The Legendary Caltagirone Ceramics of Sicily

Caltagirone Ceramics – The mountaintop town of Caltagirone in Sicily is the ceramics capital of a region renowned for this ancient art form.

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Lake Como is Home to Ancient Artisanal Traditions

Lake Como region is characterized by a priceless cultural and natural heritage. A land of centennial traditions, full of incredibly skilled wood artisans and lacemakers whose stories quite often remain unheard. Like a breath of fresh air, these stories will open up a whole new world to you on what you thought you knew about the Lake Como area.