The Geography of Memory: Author Giulia Caminito Unveils Her Most Cherished Italian Landscapes

Giulia Caminito, the celebrated Roman author recognized by the Strega Off and Campiello prizes, is the latest protagonist to share her emotional geography in FAI’s landmark video podcast series, I luoghi che leggiamo. Broadcast online via Spotify and the project’s official website, the episode maps the profound physical and emotional connections between writers and the landscapes that shape them. For Caminito, this journey begins in the cradle of her maternal ancestry: the village of Serra de’ Conti, nestled in the Ancona province of the Marche region.

She describes this hidden gem as a deeply sentimental sanctuary, defined by a historic medieval center that has remained remarkably well-preserved against the encroachment of time. By bringing this specific village into the spotlight, Caminito highlights the architectural and emotional value of Italy’s inland hamlets, framing them as essential repositories of family memory and local identity that deserve recognition.

Volcanic Shallows and Eternal Summers at Anguillara Sabazia

Moving from the rolling hills of Marche to the lakeside of Lazio, Caminito’s narrative shifts toward Anguillara Sabazia, a picturesque town perched on the shores of Lake Bracciano where she lived from the age of four to twenty-four. She paints Bracciano not just as a simple body of water, but as an intimate, mirror-like volcanic crater where the opposite shore is always visibly comforting. The natural theater surrounding the lake unfolds beautifully across the seasons, characterized by ancient beech forests and the imposing ridges of the nearby Cimini mountains.

Yet, her deepest affection is anchored to the town’s historic pier. This timeless lakeside structure serves as a living bridge between generations; Caminito fondly observes how local children still use the pier to dive into the summer waters, repeating the exact same gestures of youthful courage and playful defiance that belonged to her own generation. It is an ordinary place elevated to a grand monument of personal history.

Historical Revelations in Pesaro and Fano

Beyond her childhood homes, the author’s literary wanderings have also been deeply enriched by the coastal towns of Pesaro and Fano, located further north along the Adriatic coast of Marche. Rather than just scenic getaways, these two locations became spaces of genuine historical discovery for the author.

It was here that she gained access to local anarchist archives, which meticulously preserve regional memories and the personal records of various historical political figures who passed through the territory. This archival landscape underscores how ordinary Italian cities double as quiet guardians of radical history, providing contemporary authors with the raw textures needed to weave authentic narratives of the past.

Safeguarding the Places of the Heart

Caminito’s evocative reflections are part of a broader cultural tapestry woven by the FAI (Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano) in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo for the 13th edition of the I Luoghi del Cuore (Places of the Heart) initiative. Hosted and conceived by author Marta Stella, the video podcast collaborates with students from Milan’s IULM University to explore the indissoluble bond linking people to places, urging the public to protect them.

Ten of Italy’s most celebrated contemporary writers—including Melania Mazzucco, Daria Bignardi, and Donatella Di Pietrantonio—are opening their studios to showcase landscapes that must not only be loved but actively preserved. With future episodes set to feature writers like Marta Barone and Viola Ardone later this summer, the project serves as an urgent reminder for travelers and readers alike. Anyone wishing to secure the future of Italy’s most beloved, fragile sites has until December 15 to cast their vote on the official FAI platform, turning literary nostalgia into a concrete act of cultural preservation.

_{Source: FAI Press Office}