Episode #340: This Beautiful Country - Exploring Italy's Natural Beauty

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Italy's breathtaking landscapes hold untold natural wonders just waiting to be discovered. We explore Italy’s incredible biodiversity, the untold stories of its wild places, and how nature has shaped the country’s culture and civilization – with insider tips on where to experience Italy’s wild beauty for yourself!

Contents

Summary

Beyond Italy's iconic cities and cuisine lies a hidden world of natural wonders. In this episode, Katy Clarke talks with organic farmer and author Ed Cutler about his book, This Beautiful Country: How Italy's Nature Shaped Its Culture and Civilisation, exploring Italy's status as Europe's biodiversity powerhouse – from fiery volcanoes and endemic salamanders to ancient forests and remote national parks. A conversation that will transform how you see this beautiful country.

What you'll learn in this episode

06:43 – Italy has the highest levels of biodiversity in Europe, home to around 5,000 endemic species and a third of Europe's faunal species and half its plant species, found everywhere from the Alps to Sicily
10:28 – The Apennine Mountains have shaped Italy's biodiversity and protected an under-visited interior, while tourism remains concentrated in major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples – leaving towns like Gubbio, Abruzzo, and Mantua largely unexplored
14:06 – Italy's dark sky regions, including Maremma, parts of Sardinia, Abruzzo, and Calabria, still offer magical experiences for stargazing, despite growing light pollution challenges
21:08 – Italy's volcanic history, including non-active Monte Amiata and the very much active Etna, Stromboli, and others, has shaped the landscape and civilization itself, contributing fertile soils, hot springs, geothermal energy, and even preserving ancient human footprints in volcanic lava
33:06 – For genuine nature-based travel, consider destinations like Abruzzo National Park, Pollino National Park, wild Calabria, the interior of Sardinia, and lesser-known Alpine regions beyond the Dolomites such as Friuli and the Carnic Alps.

Timeline Overview

05:22 Italy's unique wildlife, from endemic species to biodiversity hotspots
10:42 Venturing beyond Italy's tourist hubs to discover the country's wild places
21:08 How Italy's geology and volcanoes have shaped its culture and landscapes
28:06 Traditional foraging practices and the history of Amaro in Roman dining
33:06 Exploring Italy's national parks and lesser-known natural gems

About our guest – Edward Cutler

Edward Cutler is a British-born writer, organic farmer and author based in Italy. His work explores the country’s natural history, biodiversity, geology and environmental culture, and the ways in which landscape has shaped Italian civilisation.

He is the author of This Beautiful Country, an exploration of Italy’s extraordinary biodiversity and deep geological history, from the glaciers of the Alps to the volcanoes of Sicily.

Originally trained as an art historian (MA History of Art, Edinburgh), Edward has lived in Italy since 2009 and is an Italian citizen. After several years working in Milan, he moved to southern Tuscany where he farms around five hundred olive trees in the Maremma under the name A Macchia d’Olio.

In 2020, alongside his childhood friend Ben Goldsmith, he co-founded the Tuscany Environment Foundation, part of the Conservation Collective,, supporting environmental and biodiversity initiatives across Tuscany.

Edward is also affiliated with the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability in Rome, where he is course director for the Executive course, Biodiversity and Business Sustainability.

Edward's book ‘This Beautiful Country: How Italy's Nature Shaped Its Culture and Civilisation':

Follow Edward here

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Maremma – scenic rural region in southern Tuscany, known for rolling hills, woods, and wild coastline
Grosseto – historic Tuscan town surrounded by unspoiled Maremma countryside and forest
Siena – medieval Tuscan city with stunning piazzas and the famed Palio horse race
Manciano – hilltop comune in southern Tuscany, recognized for its dark skies and star-gazing opportunities
Monte Amiata – dormant volcano in Tuscany, forested slopes and chestnut groves
Larderello – geothermal area in Tuscany, site of the world's first geothermal power station
Garfagnana Valley – picturesque valley in northern Tuscany, renowned for chestnuts and autumn splendor
Apennines – mountainous chain running the length of Italy, a haven for endemic flora and fauna
Po Valley – broad, fertile northern plain, site of much of Italy's industry and agriculture
Mantua (Mantova) – Renaissance city in Lombardy, surrounded by lakes, celebrated for its art and architecture
Padua (Padova) – university city in the Veneto, rich in history and artistic treasures
Reggio – refers here most likely to Reggio Emilia or Reggio Calabria, both cities with local charm and heritage
Gubbio – ancient Umbrian town, famed for its medieval streets and hillside setting
Abruzzo – central Italian region celebrated for its national parks, mountains, and wildlife (bears, wolves, chamois)
Rocca di Calascio – striking mountaintop castle in Abruzzo, used as a film location (e.g. The Name of the Rose)
Sextantio – medieval village in Abruzzo, notable for its albergo diffuso (scattered hotel in historic buildings)
Torino River – crystalline river in Abruzzo, considered one of Europe's cleanest, great for canoeing
Lake Capodacqua – lake in Abruzzo with a submerged village, ideal for diving and exploration
Pescasseroli – picturesque town in Abruzzo's national park, well-organized for excursions and wildlife watching
Maiella National Park – park in Abruzzo, known for its wildflower meadows and dramatic peaks
Puglia – sun-drenched southeastern region, known for olive groves, trulli houses, and Adriatic coastline
Calabria – rugged region forming Italy's “toe,” prized for its wild landscapes and traditional villages
Pollino National Park – Italy's largest national park, spans Basilicata and Calabria, famed for wild scenery and ancient trees
Basilicata – mountainous southern region between Calabria and Puglia, home to wild landscapes
Monte Vulture – extinct volcano in Basilicata, site of crater lakes and rare ecosystems
Lakes of Monticchio – twin volcanic lakes at Monte Vulture, famed for rare moths and beautiful setting
Sicily – Italy's largest island, renowned for its diverse geography, vibrant cities, and food culture
Catania – lively city on Sicily's east coast, near Etna, offering both mountain and seaside experiences
Palermo – Sicily's capital, noted for its winter sun and cultural mix
Aeolian Islands – wild and off-the-beaten-path islands around Sicily and in the Tyrrhenian Sea
Vulcano – volcanic Aeolian island, legendary for its steaming vents and mud baths
Egadi Islands – cluster of small, windswept isles off Sicily's west coast, known for clear waters
Pantelleria – volcanic island between Sicily and Africa, famed for capers, wine, and unique landscape
Etna – Europe's highest and most active volcano, dominates eastern Sicily
Stromboli – Aeolian island, home to a constantly erupting volcano
Sardinia – large Mediterranean island, boasts wild interior, rugged coasts, and prehistoric sites
Cinque Terre – iconic string of colorful seaside villages in Liguria, noted as crowded in summer
Friuli – northeastern region with less-traveled Carnic Alps and a mix of Italian and Slavic culture
Carnic Alps – alpine range in Friuli, northeast Italy, secluded and scenic
Bialese Alps – mountains near Biella in Piedmont, quiet alpine scenery
Maritime Alps – western Alpine range near Cuneo, offering wild landscapes and few visitors
Trieste – cosmopolitan port city on Italy's eastern edge, gateway to wild border regions
Dolomites – dramatic mountain range in northeastern Italy, noted for pale peaks and scenic alpine villages
Roccamonfina – ancient volcano between Rome and Naples, notable for prehistoric human footprints
Tora Piccilli – small village near Roccamonfina, site of ancient footprints preserved in lava
Testaccio – Roman neighborhood famed for traditional trattorias and culinary history
Piatto Romano – restaurant in Testaccio, Rome, acclaimed for foraged herb dishes and cucina povera

Food / Drink

cicoria – bitter wild chicory greens, foraged and much-loved as a classic side dish
amaro – a family of bitter herbal liqueurs like Fernet-Branca, originating from monastic traditions
Fernet-Branca – popular Italian amaro, or bitter herbal liqueur, linked to the tradition of bitter flavors and medicinal herbs in Italy
foraged herbs/contorni – wild vegetables and greens, often served as side dishes in Roman cuisine
figs – sweet fruits considered native to the Mediterranean and foraged throughout Italy
pomegranate – sweet-tart fruit, loved for its flavor, with historical ties to the Mediterranean
almonds and pistachios – nuts used in Italian cuisine, especially in desserts and as snacks
vongole – clams, enjoyed fresh, notably in southern coastal regions such as Sicily
Aglianico del Vulture – robust red wine from volcanic soils in Basilicata, known as the Barolo of the south
chestnut-based dishes – traditional foods using chestnuts, common in central and northern Italy's autumn celebrations

Words / Concepts

Tim Flannery – Australian paleontologist and author of Europe: The First 100 Million Years, who inspired Ed Cutler's interest in Italy's endemic species
Endemic Notes – Ed Cutler's Substack newsletter where he writes about Italian species and landscapes
Mondadori – prominent Italian publishing house, releasing the Italian edition of Ed Cutler's book
Perseid meteor shower – annual astronomical event visible in Italy when conditions allow, mentioned in the context of star viewing
International Dark Sky Association – global organization advocating for dark sky preservation and reduction of light pollution
Messinian Salinity Crisis – geological event about 6 million years ago when the Mediterranean Sea dried up, creating unique evolutionary pathways in Italy's freshwater
Mont Edison plant – historical industrial site at the end of the Tirino River, infamous for environmental pollution and illegal dumping
Attenborough – reference to Sir David Attenborough, famed British broadcaster and natural historian
Albergo diffuso – “scattered hotel,” a hospitality concept revitalizing small Italian villages by turning existing buildings into hotel rooms
Etruscans – ancient civilization in Italy predating the Romans, known for significant influence on Italian agriculture and mythology

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Podcast episodes

Episode #340: This Beautiful Country – Exploring Italy’s Natural Beauty