Three things that make Italy special

Some time ago, I talked about some things that contribute to make Italy special. Today, I’d like to add three more things at this list.

Margherita Hut

The first of the things that contribute to make Italy special is the Margherita hut. This is a mountain hut located at 4,554 meters on Punta Gnifetti, Monte Rosa.
The Margherita hut, Capanna Margherita in Italian, is famous for being the highest mountain hut in Europe.
The construction of the hut started in 1889. It was pre-built in the valley and then transported to its actual location by men and mules, where it was completed.
Four years later, it opened to the public for the very first time. The queen of Italy, Queen Margherita of Savoy was present at the opening since the hut was dedicated to her.
In 1977 the hut was completely restored and opened again in 1980. Margherita hut has 70 beds and is open from June to September.
From 2017 civil marriages can be performed at Margherita hut. However, even if getting married at 4,554 meters might seem very romantic, remember that first you have to get there. Yes, because you have to actually climb to get to Margherita hut, you can’t get there by helicopter or any other means.
The journey starts from Alagna Valsesia. The walk generally takes two days with an Alpine Guide since climbers stop to rest at Gnifetti hut at 3,647 meters before starting the final climbing.

Blue zone

The second thing that contribute to make Italy special is the blue zone.
Blue zones are areas of the world where people live longer than average. Researchers Gianni Pes and Michel Poulain found out that one of these areas is in Italy, specifically in Sardinia.
In particular, the town of Seulo seems to show an impressively high concentration of centenarians.

Bell foundry

In Italian there is a bell foundry that is considered to be the oldest one in the world. It’s the Marinelli Pontifical Foundry – Ponteficia Fonderia Marinelli in Italian – located in the town of Agnone, in Molise.
The bell foundry started its family business in 1040 and has never stopped. It employs 12 people and produces 50 bells a year. Also, it’s the official bells supplier of the Vatican.
Among the most famous bells it has ever produced there is the bell in the Leaning tower of Pisa, a reproduction of a 17th-century bell that was damaged during the second world war.
What do you think are some other things that contribute to make Italy special

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Credits:

Original image by BlazquezBros