Alberto Angela returns with the journey to discover the “wonders” that cross national borders for the first time in this new series entitled “Stars of Europe” to explore, in addition to the Italian ones, the most spectacular UNESCO sites of our continent . On Wednesday December 28th, in prime time at 9.25pm on Rai1, and for three weeks, the Rai Cultura program returns, dedicated to the treasures of our cultural and environmental heritage. A journey that crosses Europe from East to West, from South to North, in search of the most representative beauties of each country, but also the lines of a common history and a common identity. In addition to the story of Alberto Angela, the magnificent images captured in 4K with daring acrobatic drones, this series is enriched by the testimonies of famous guests and artistic performances in some of the most emblematic places of the trip.
In the first episode, the journey begins at Mont Saint-Michel in northern France, a small island that seems to dance between land and sea to the rhythm of the tides. It is home to a famous Benedictine abbey and stands at the center of a vast bay that opens onto the English Channel, where the tides are among the strongest in Europe. In the most intense phases, the sea recedes for about twenty kilometers, only to return and isolate the abbey from the mainland. Then it’s on to Lisbon in Portugal, the western gateway of Europe that opens to the immensity of the oceans. From the Tower of Belém to the embroideries of the Jéronimos Monastery, Alberto Angela talks about this fascinating city that sits on the banks of the Tagus River and overlooks the ocean. He takes us by tram through the narrow streets of Alfàma, the old Arab quarter, and to the magnificent azulejos of the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, up to the Carmo Church, where a magnificent Dulce Pontes sings the melody of Maestro Ennio Morricone.
The Italian stage of this episode is Verona, the city of Verona that inspired the literary love of Romeo and Juliet. In the Arena, the ancient amphitheater created for gladiators and now one of the largest opera houses in the world, Alberto Angela meets Roberto Bolle, the legendary Romeo of dance. On Juliet’s balcony, Riccardo Cocciante interprets a passage from his popular opera dedicated to the two tragic lovers.
The journey ends in Chartres, a French city that is home to the oldest and best-preserved Gothic cathedral in the old continent. Its famous stained glass windows, intact for nine centuries, have given their name to a colour, the famous “Chartres blue”. An enigmatic labyrinth in the middle of the nave is actually an initiation path leading believers to salvation.
“Wonders – Stars of Europe” is a Rai Cultura production in 4K directed by Gabriele Cipollitti with photographs by Vincenzo Calò. Written by Alberto Angela with Fabio Buttarelli, Ilaria Degano, Vito Lamberti, Aldo Piro, Emilio Quinto.