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The Literary Town of Recanati

The literary town of Recanati in Le Marche is a town of/for/by the Italian poet Giacomo Leopardi. I say this not only because Leopardi was born here but also because he spent a majority part of his life writing poems inspired by the town. Leopardi had a conflicting relationship with Recanati but one of his most famous poems L’Infinito” (The Infinite) was written from a solitary hill of this town. Now a famous vantage point, the hill is known as “Hill of the Infinite” with views that go as far as the Sibillini Mountains!

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Hill of the Infinite

 

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Palazzo Communale and a statue of Leopardi

The Literary Town of Recanati

Giacomo Leopardi was a scholar who wrote many poems in his short lifetime of 38 years. A few such as “A Silvia” (To Silvia), published in 1828 really stand out.

A Silvia describes about Leopardi’s sad and tumultuous life state. He is madly in love with girl living across the piazza. While he would love to woo her, he cannot because she is below her stature.

Another popular poem written by Leopardi is “Il Sabato del Villaggio” (Saturday in the Village). The poem describes the same piazza opposite his house and his observations of the many people who come and go.

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The town evoked sadness to me

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If this corner could talk….

Recanati is a fascinating town that evoked a sense of sadness in me. I remember the feeling of walking through the streets and thinking of the story of Leopardi.

In 2014, the popular film “Il Giovane Favoloso” (Leopardi) captured the essence of the town and the poet’s life. Ever since, Recanati is a revamped town with poems of Leopardi at every bend. It truly gives Recanati a real picture of being called a Literary city!!

Giacomo Leopardi: 1798-1837

Also Read- 10 of the most prettiest places in Le Marche, Italy

Discover Recanati and it’s surroundings:

32 Comments

  • […] is a film on the life of Giacomo Leopardi- the Italian poet from Recanati in Le Marche. A period drama set in the 18th century, the film is not only captivating but also very romantic. […]

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  • […] The Literary Town of Recanati […]

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  • sumi.live
    December 8, 2017 at 6:18 pm

    Nice post

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    • Ishita
      December 28, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks so much 🙂

      Reply
  • Meenakshi
    November 30, 2017 at 9:47 am

    As I am blogging more and more about Architecture, I realize that the European architecture is brilliant but has melancholy painted all over it! Maybe this is the reason why these places inspire beautiful poetry!! Beautiful captures, Ishita 🙂

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    • Ishita
      December 1, 2017 at 2:43 pm

      Thanks Meenakshi 🙂 Indeed it is and very different. You will find a town only 5 kms away from the next country so different as you cross the border. It is amazing!

      Reply
  • Anuradha Goyal
    November 27, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    Wow, how interesting to see places around the lives of a poet. In India, I could only find a Shanti Niketan by Tagore. Its strange that Leopardi could not win a woman as se was below his stature – hierarchies exist in the society, no matter where it seems.

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    • Ishita
      November 27, 2017 at 6:23 pm

      Thanks Anuradha 🙂 As far as I know he did not even tell her but wrote about her often. Yea they do unfortunately

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  • amindfultravellerblog
    November 25, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    Wow, such a short lived life for Leopardi. There would definitely be stories and secrets within those town walls!! Xx

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    • Ishita
      November 26, 2017 at 3:22 pm

      Truly. And you can really sense his presence throughout.

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  • karenincalabria
    November 25, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    Nice post. And you’re absolutely right – old Italian is extremely difficult. Don’t worry about it – you don’t have to be able to read the classics to be able to communicate perfectly well in contemporary society.

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    • Ishita
      November 25, 2017 at 4:06 pm

      Thanks Karen.Are you in Calabria currently?? How is the weather?

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      • karenincalabria
        November 25, 2017 at 8:57 pm

        Yes. Nice fall weather right now with highs around 18 and lows around 13 C. Sometimes fall is a little warmer, though. There was some strong rain and flooding a couple of weeks ago. Tomorrow is the Procession of the Madonna, when she returns to the location she resides for most of the year, so hopefully it won’t rain even though it’s in the forecast. Ciao!

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        • Ishita
          November 26, 2017 at 3:22 pm

          Nice. Almost as much as Delhi low.. yesterday it was 18 C and the night before it was 15. looking forward to knowing more about it. Ciao!

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          • karenincalabria
            November 27, 2017 at 4:07 pm

            It rained yesterday for the procession of the Madonna – very uncharacteristic – so it had to be postponed for next week and it turned cold overnight – a low of 9 in Reggio – brrr….

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            • Ishita
              November 27, 2017 at 6:23 pm

              Oh dear. Next week then….x

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  • thewonderer86
    November 25, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    What a (seemingly) sleepy, charming little place.

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    • Ishita
      November 25, 2017 at 1:34 pm

      It was also a great weather to add to the drama

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  • aesha thakur
    November 25, 2017 at 4:55 am

    Lovely article,Ishita..and the way you described it was so great

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    • Ishita
      November 25, 2017 at 12:38 pm

      Thanks darling!

      Reply
  • Alok Singhal
    November 25, 2017 at 12:59 am

    There truly is some sense of sadness there. I would have painted the whole town with street art!

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    • Ishita
      November 25, 2017 at 12:38 pm

      🙂 Interesting

      Reply
  • Darlene
    November 24, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    My kind of town!! This looks amazing.

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    • Ishita
      November 24, 2017 at 10:54 pm

      I hope you can visit soon!

      Reply
  • Lyn Douglas
    November 24, 2017 at 10:42 pm

    Another lovely little town in Italy. There are so many to see and all so special.

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    • Ishita
      November 24, 2017 at 10:47 pm

      Thanks Lyn. Isn’t it?? Have you been here? I hope you can see it soon

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      • Lyn Douglas
        November 24, 2017 at 11:14 pm

        Hi Ishita. I have been there many years ago but I cannot remember very much apart from it being the kind of delightful town that I like.

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        • Ishita
          November 24, 2017 at 11:15 pm

          It would be so cool to go back and remember it.

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      • Lyn Douglas
        November 24, 2017 at 11:15 pm

        Ps. I am leaving Hawaii today and flying home.

        Reply

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