The landscape of rural Italy, from the island of Sicily to the northernmost Alps, is characterized by its picturesque hilltop settlements. Some were once autonomous city states; many are still the hub around which the life of the surrounding countryside revolves. This book takes a meandering route through 50 lesser-known hill towns, evoking the atmosphere and recording impressions of the everyday life, the festivals and celebrations, and the medieval and Renaissance buildings. From the military architecture of Gubbio and the ducal palace of Urbino, to the lost village of Romena and its ruined towers, the book sets out to capture the essence of Italy's towns and landscapes. Paul Duncan's text is accompanied by the photographs of John Ferro Sims, whose work has also featured in "Landscapes in Italy" and "The Renaissance of Italian Cooking".