Embark on a captivating Mediterranean journey

The origins of many of today’s most beloved artistic and architectural traditions can be traced back to various countries, including Spain, France, Italy, Greece and beyond. This article highlights the significant contributions to art and architecture made by two ancient civilizations—Greece and Italy.

Architecture—Greece’s innovative contributions
Ancient Greek cities demonstrated their wealth and power by building monumental temples to their preferred deities. These temples were designed as earthly homes for the gods, so early Greek temples roughly followed the design of Greek homes. Most temples were one-room buildings with columnar porches, which protected a statue of the deity. The Parthenon in Athens is a key example of these temples. It was built in the mid-5th century BC on the Acropolis Hill in honor of the Greek goddess of war, Athena.

The Greeks also constructed large, open air theaters. One example is the massive Theater of Epidaurus, which can seat up to 12,000 spectators. Built into natural hillsides, these theaters offered impressive acoustics and panoramic views.

Finally, the Greeks developed the concept of the agora, a central public space designed for gathering, commerce and socializing. Today, visitors can still explore the Agora of the Competaliasts on Delos, an island in the Cyclades that was reputed to be the birthplace of the god Apollo.

Arts & culture—Italy’s place in art history
Ancient Roman frescoes and mosaics can be found today in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Pompeii and ancient Herculaneum. These meticulous artworks depict daily life and mythological stories in vivid color and detail.

Italy was also the birthplace of the Renaissance, a period of remarkable artistic achievement that took place between the 14th and 17th centuries. Renaissance artwork is marked by an increased awareness of nature, a revival of classical learning and humanist values. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael mastered the use of perspective and anatomical realism, while Caravaggio and Titian perfected the use of light, shadow and color.

In Florence, the Palazzo Pitti contains more than 500 principally Renaissance works in the renowned Palatine Gallery, including paintings by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio. Michelangelo’s famous marble statue David stands in Florence’s Galleria dell'Accademia, and visitors can marvel at his iconic Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes during a visit to Vatican City.

During the Renaissance, Venice was also a center of artistic innovation. Venetian artists like Tintoretto and Titian were known for their dramatic compositions and dynamic use of colors. Today, you can see two of Tintoretto’s large-scale masterpieces at the breathtaking 16th-century San Giorgi Maggiore church, and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco also contains a fine collection of Tintoretto’s work.

In addition to its stunning scenery, the Mediterranean coastline has supported life for millennia, providing its inhabitants with an abundant supply of seafood, such as prawns, squid, fish and oysters. The soil of the Mediterranean region is well suited to vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards, particularly citrus. Most of the world’s supply of olive oil is produced in the countries of the Mediterranean Basin.

While all Mediterranean cuisines share these common ingredients, there are many regional variations and specialties. Here are some of the most renowned dishes from the region:

• Bouillabaisse (France)
  Originally cooked by fishermen using unwanted fish from their catch, this traditional Provençal fish stew often features racasse (a bony rockfish), whiting, mullet or other Mediterranean fish. The stew is garnished with rouille—a creamy, saffron- and garlic-scented condiment designed to heighten the flavor. Although there are many recipes for bouillabaisse, the Marseille version is typically acknowledged as the most authentic. Aside from fish and shellfish, it includes characteristic Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil, tomatoes, garlic, parsley, thyme, bay leaf, fennel and saffron.
  
• Gyro (Greece)
  Gyro, pronounced YEE-ro, is a Greek dish consisting of roasted meat served in pita bread, typically with tomato, onion and tzatziki, a creamy sauce made from yogurt, garlic and cucumber. Gyro meat—typically, lamb, beef or chicken—roasts on a vertical skewer and is shaved off in thin, crispy slices as it cooks.
  
• Neapolitan Pizza (Italy)
  The world’s first pizzeria opened in Naples in 1830. The popularity of Neapolitan-style pies is thanks to their mouthwatering combination of soft dough, flavorful tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and sweet basil. Neapolitan pizza, or Naples-style pizza, is made specifically with buffalo mozzarella (produced from the milk of Italian Mediterranean buffalo) or fior di latte (mozzarella produced from the milk of prized Agerolese cows) and San Marzano tomatoes or pomodorino vesuviano (a variety of grape tomato grown in Naples).
  
• Pastizzi (Malta)
  Maltese cuisine is influenced by Spanish, French and other Mediterranean cuisines. One of the most popular street foods is pastizzi, which consists of a flaky layered pastry dough similar to Greek phyllo, stuffed with a savory filling. While there are many types of pastizzi fillings, the two most common are ricotta or curried peas.
  
• Dagnje na Buzaru, or Steamed Mussels (Croatia)
  Croatia’s stunning Dalmatian Coast offers a bounty of fresh oysters and mussels. This classic dish, popular with locals, consists of steaming mussels with garlic, white wine and parsley and topped with breadcrumbs before serving. Crusty bread is a typical accompaniment, perfect for sopping up extra sauce. A family-run oyster farm in Dubrovnik recommends trying a rich variation, which involves steaming the mussels with garlic, shallots, fennel, saffron and cream.

Old Town

The knights’ legacy is still on display in the Old Town of Rhodes, Europe’s largest medieval city. Inside its walls, visitors can walk narrow streets and encounter bastions, minarets, houses, fountains, busy squares—and 24 centuries of history. The Palace of the Grand Masters stands at the end of the Street of the Knights. Once a Byzantine fortress, then a royal residence, the colossal palace now houses a museum.

Beyond the walls

Rhodes's so-called “new city” offers architectural treasures from the island’s Italian period, including Venetian, Neoclassical and modern structures. The Italian Governor’s Palace—now the Prefecture of the Dodecanese—evokes the Doge’s Palace in Venice.

Hóra

This capital town is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture. Famous for its uniqueness and charm, some of the most distinctive features of this architectural style are completely white buildings with vibrant gardens, stone-paved roads and light blue churches. You can stroll Hóra’s labyrinth of narrow streets and admire the whitewashed houses with colorful doors and window frames. You can also visit churches and museums, and stylish Matoyianni Street is lined with stores, cafés and restaurants.

Little Venice

Alefkándra, or “Little Venice,” is one of the most picturesque areas on the island. The 18th-century district features waterfront buildings with colorful balconies overlooking the sea. A short walk brings you to the Kato Mili—whitewashed windmills with thatched roofs. If you are lucky, you might even meet Petros the Pelican, the island’s official mascot.

When you think of Roman basilicas, you probably think of St. Peter’s. And you are not alone—every day, up to 20,000 people visit this iconic church in Vatican City. But there are other spectacular basilicas in Rome where you can take in the splendor of sacred spaces with less company.

San Paolo Fuori le Mura

Built near the traditional site of St. Paul’s tomb, San Paolo Fuori le Mura is the third largest church in Christendom. While much of the architecture is from the 19th century, its magnificent triumphal arch was built in the 5th century. The church features a vast nave, medieval Cosmati mosaics and a marble paschal candlestick from the 12th century that stands more than 15 feet tall.

San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura

This ancient basilica was built over the grave of St. Lawrence, a Roman deacon martyred in 258 AD. An original Byzantine mosaic still adorns the triumphal arch. San Lorenzo is one of Rome’s five patriarchal basilicas and one of the city’s seven pilgrimage churches.

Church of St. Ignatius Loyola

Dedicated to the founder of the Jesuit order, this 17th-century church is best known for its ingenious ceiling frescoes, painted by Jesuit artist Andrea Pozzo. Pozzo's frescoes use perspective to create the illusion of a vaulted ceiling.

Monastiraki flea market

People come from far and wide to buy and sell at this popular Sunday flea market. You will find a wide variety of goods ranging in quality, from antiques and books to transistor radios and socks. Musicians playing in the cafés and streets form a vibrant soundtrack, adding ambience to the experience.

“Gypsy” market

A little more than a mile from the Monastiraki flea market is a lesser-known and equally worthwhile market. The “gypsy” market, held in an abandoned open-air warehouse, brings together locals and tourists to haggle with merchants displaying their wares on tables and blankets. When shopping, keep etiquette in mind: Romani people do not like to have their picture taken, so please be courteous with your cameras and phones.

Gelato is one of the world’s favorite Italian exports. It is made with milk—sometimes nonfat milk—rather than cream. The milk’s lower fat content helps the flavors in gelato stand out. Gelato also has less air in it than ice cream, making it denser.

Italy’s 5,000-plus gelato shops and 15,000 gelato vendors produce more than half of the world’s supply. While the exact origins of this popular dessert are debated, fans of the sweet treat owe a debt of gratitude to the three inventive Italians highlighted below.

The chicken farmer

It is said that during the Italian Renaissance, the Medici family in Florence held a contest to find the best frozen dessert. A chicken farmer (and cook in his spare time) named Ruggeri won the competition with his frozen concoction of sweet fruit juice and ice—the forerunner of modern sorbet.

The artist and architect

In the late 1500s, the Medici family commissioned Bernardo Buontalenti, an artist and architect with considerable culinary skills, to prepare a feast for the visiting King of Spain. Legend has it that Buontalenti created a creamy frozen dessert—and gelato was born.

The restaurateur

Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, a restaurateur, is credited with introducing Europe to gelato. Procopio moved from Palermo to Paris and opened a café that served gelato in small glasses resembling egg cups. Gelato’s popularity soon spread throughout France and across Europe.

The Mediterranean Sea was the major hub for transport, trade and cultural exchange for peoples on three continents: Western Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe. The earliest complex civilizations in the region emerged during the Stone Age (7000-3000 BC) and Bronze Age (3000-1000 BC) near the Aegean Sea. This area consists of Crete, the Cyclades Islands and the Greek mainland.

The Minoan civilization in Crete, which flourished between 3000 BC and 1100 BC, was Europe’s earliest recorded civilization. It boasted ornate palaces, fine craftsmanship and a developed system of writing.

After the fall of the Minoans, Mycenae became the dominant power in the Aegean, and the Late Mycenaean period (1400–1100 BC) was one of great prosperity. Today, you can explore the ancient site of Mycenae and visit the tomb of King Agamemnon, who was immortalized by the Greek poet Homer in The Iliad and The Odyssey.

Ancient Greek civilization (1200 BC to 323 BC) marked a vibrant period of political, philosophical, artistic and scientific flourishing. The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC, and during the 5th century BC, the term “democracy” was coined to refer to Athens’ novel political system.

Ancient Rome was founded in 753 BC, and over the course of centuries, it grew from a small town on the Tiber River into the Roman Republic (509 BCE) before becoming the Roman Empire (27 BC)—a vast imperial territory covering large swaths of Europe, Asia and Africa. Many notable Roman landmarks can be seen across the Mediterranean today, including the Colosseum in Rome and Les Arènes, an ancient amphitheater in Arles, France.

A venerable tradition

Ancient ceramics have been uncovered throughout Cyprus, from the ruins at Kourion to the old Hellenistic capital of Paphos. During the Bronze Age, prehistoric Cypriots crafted pottery featuring innovative shapes and decorations. Because of Cyprus’s location along Mediterranean trade routes, the island’s pottery was influenced by diverse cultures, including Asia Minor, Greece, Rome, Egypt and Phoenicia.

A living art form

In Limassol’s Old Town, you can witness the craft of pottery from a local artisan. Visit a pottery workshop to see how these practical, often decorative pieces are made.

Cultural centers

Minoan palaces hosted a variety of activities, from religious ceremonies to the production of decorated pottery and other exported goods. Frescoes in the Palace of Knossos depict scenes of daily life—as well as Minoans jumping over bulls, which may have been a sporting event or sacred ritual. Bulls appear to have been important in Minoan religion, which may have influenced the Greek legend of the Minotaur on Crete.

Palace amenities

Minoan palaces were multistory structures with large staircases. Many were adorned with elaborate paintings and frescoes. The palaces featured complex plumbing systems, including running water and flushed lavatories. Aqueducts brought water from springs, which was carried by pipes to spigots and fountains throughout the palace.

It is estimated that more than 300,000 cats live in Rome. Hundreds of them have made excavated site Torre Argentina their home.

Where Julius Caesar was murdered

Torre Argentina is an extensive temple complex that was excavated in 1929 as part of Mussolini’s rebuilding initiative. The site includes part of the Theater of Pompey—on the steps of which Julius Caesar was betrayed and stabbed to death.

Where cats are pampered

Soon after it was excavated, many of the city’s feral cats moved in. The gatarre, or cat ladies, began feeding and caring for them. In the 1990s, a cat shelter was opened at the historic site. Volunteers feed the cats seven days a week, and a spay and neuter program keeps the feral population in check.

Temples and tabbies

Visitors are welcome at the Cat Sanctuary, which is open from noon to 4:30 PM. If you go, it may take you a few moments to spot the fine, furry residents. But soon you will see them lounging throughout the ruins. Do exercise some caution, as these kitties are still wild. While it may not have been a hospitable place for one Roman ruler, today the temple site is a haven for cats and cat lovers alike.

From aqueducts to roads, Roman engineering is legendary. Rome’s Appian Way, or Via Appia Antica in Latin and Italian, is the world’s first paved road.

Road to the south

The Appian Way was built to transport troops from Rome to Brindisi in the south. It is named after Appius Claudius Caecus, who began and completed the first section in 312 BC during the Samnite Wars. It was extended over the decades, and by 191 BC it connected Rome and the port of Brindisi.

“Queen of Roads”

Named the “Queen of Roads”, the Appian Way stretches approximately 318 mi (511 km). It starts in Rome at the Baths of Caracalla, passing beautiful villas, ancient ruins and catacombs—including the Catacombs of San Callisto, where more than 50 martyrs and 16 popes are buried.

History you can walk on

You can walk the Appian Way yourself and admire the ingenuity of early Roman engineering. Much of the section in Rome is part of a nature and archeological park. The road is attractive, peaceful and atmospheric, with plenty of grassy areas that are perfect for picnicking.