Cittaslow - an unhurried city

logo of Cittaslow

In the era of the noise and haste was born a new movement which disseminates ideas different from those imposed on us by today's world. Cittaslow is is an international network of associated cities, and nonprofit organization whose objectives are: the improvement of the quality of life in small towns, the environmental protection, the cultural development and the promotion of regional products. This foundation tries to restore peace to the people and teaches how to live slowly, but creatively. The task facing the representatives of the cities which wish to be named cittaslow is primarily to find the identity of small towns and introduce solutions that make they will become self-sufficient. This kind of town can be found in Australia, Canada, the United States, South Africa, South Korea, China and Turkey; in Europe, the countries involved in the project are Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, France, Norway and Poland, but above all Italy, because there was born ​​the concept of the cittaslow movement. 

Orvieto

In October 1999, in the Umbrian town of Orvieto, held the first meeting of the representatives of the Italian cities wishing to join the newly formed organization. The coordinator and originator of the idea of ​​cittaslow was the mayor of Greve di Chianti - Paolo Saturnini. The inspiration was for him a philosophy of slowfood, movement created with the aim of  conservation traditional and characteristic for the given region cuisine. Looking at the history of the Italians, who managed to create a common state only in 1861, it is hardly surprising that they are so attached to local tradition and that they desire to protect them.

Poland takes the fourth place in the world in terms of  the number of slow towns. In Warmia and Mazury, where I was born, there are: Reszel, Ryn, Bisztynek, Biskupiec, Olsztynek, Nowe Miasto Lubawskie, Lidzbark Warmiński and Lubawa. By contrast there is only one slowcity in Wielkopolska which not belong to the land of a thousand lakes. It is called Murowana Goślina and it is situated 20 km from Poznań. One of the requirements that the city must meet if it want to join the "International Network of Cities Cittaslow" is a population no exceeding 50,000 of people. 

Reszel

The most fascinating example seems to be Reszel, which is the architectural jewel of Warmia and Mazury. Its inhabitants call it the most beautiful city in the world, and in my opinion they aren't so far from the truth. Reszel is full of historical monuments and unique decorations, such as antique advertising signs or ubiquitous flowers. The city is also interesting because of its history,  there in 1811 burned at the stake last European "witch", Barbara Zdunk. Other cities that deserve attention are also Lidzbark Warminski, where we can admire the well-preserved medieval monuments such as the castle towering over the city with its beautiful cloister and Ryn, which is situated on two lakes. 

I really like this idea of ​​combine tradition with modernity. What do you think about this? Have you ever been in one of the cittaslow in Poland or in Italy? Waiting for your comments :) 

Ryn

Castle in Lidzbark Warmiński