Inside the Centro Storico

In general very few streets in the Centro Storico are accessible to motorised vehicles (except Fiat 500's and tre-ruote).  The tiny houses (usually no more than 2-rooms) used to house very large families until just a few years ago.

Many of the houses are characterised by large external chimneys each contesting for air-space.  These chimneys are at the heart of the traditional kitchen (or cucina monacesca - monk's kitchen) - a small room with a fireplace between two small windows.  Inside there are two benches, one on either side of the fireplace; here in the kitchen the Vichesi would cook on the fire (many still do) and not so long ago the whole family would eat from the same plate.

Inside and outside space was at a premium giving rise to the many balconies and multiple staircases permitting houses to be built one on top of the other.