Impact

BEAUTIFULLY LIVING ON THE EDGE NOW

by Marco Markovich / Boda de Cine Photography. The Swallow’s Nest.

Edges are thrilling places to live and visit. Beyond the exceptional views they offer, they are inherently powerful, both physically and spiritually. Today, we’re visiting some of the most beautiful places on Beautiful Edges happening right now. They will rock your soul.

THE SWALLOW’S NEST -- UKRAINE

The Swallow's Nest (Russian: Ла́сточкино гнездо́, Lastochkino gnezdo, Ukrainian: Ластівчине гніздо, Lastivchyne hnizdo) is perched high atop the Aurora Cliff, on the edge of the Crimean Peninsula, at the small spa town of Gaspra. This Neo-Gothic fairytale castle was built between 1911 and 1912. It was designed by Russian architect Leonid Sherwood for the Baron von Steingel.

From this edge lookout, you can see the beautiful Cape of Ai-Todor on the Black Sea.

RIOMAGGIORE -- ITALY

As you travel north, from the Italian province of La Spezia, Riomaggiore (Rimazùu in the local Ligurian language) is the first of the 5 ancient Cinque Terre villages that cling, ever-so-colorfully, to the the Ligurian cliffs which rise up out of the Mediterranean sea.

Spilling over with early thirteenth century charm, Riomaggiore inspires many painters and photographers, challenging them to capture its beauty. It is connected to its sister towns by a pathway we love to hike, known as the Via dell'Amore.

MANAROLA -- ITALY

Manarola, another one of the Cinque Terre cliffside towns is arguably its most colorful. You’ll want to pay extra attention near the cliff’s beautiful edges after you indulge in the town’s local specialty -- Sciacchetrà, a sweet dessert wine that tastes of honey and apricots.

AZENHAS DO MAR -- PORTUGAL

Azenhas do Mar, (sea-watermill) sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, in the Natural Park of Sintra, just north of Lisbon.

Check out the Baroque National Palace of Mafra, including an ancient monastery, a basilica, a monumental summer palace with 666 rooms, and a rocaille library - the largest and most important library in Portugal, with 40,000 16th century books from the 16th century...

PITIGLIANO -- ITALY

Pitigliano is an ancient town atop a rugged cliff in the province of Grosseto, in southeastern Italy. Dating back to Etruscan times, this cliffside frontier town weathered centuries of war. It became a refuge for Jews fleeing Roman persecutions. They turned one of the cliff’s caves into a ritual Passover matzoh bakery.

Check out the fascinating Etruscan remains, medieval and Renaissance cathedrals, 15th century synagogue, as well as its well preserved fortress walls and gates.

RONDA -- SPAIN

Ronda, in the province of Málaga, in Spain, sits within the autonomous community of Andalusia. It is surrounded by remains of prehistoric settlements dating to the Neolithic Age, including the rock paintings of Cueva de la Pileta.

This edgy town has been shaped by its tumultuous Celtic, Phoenician, Visigoth, Arab, and Roman occupations. It was then flushed of its Muslims and Jews by the Spanish Inquisition. Even Napoleon got in on the act in Ronda -- he nearly wiped out the entire population.

The edges of Ronda’s cliffs gained further notoriety in Hemingway’s Spanish Civil War novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls," as Fascist sympathizers were pushed to their deaths.

It’s a much calmer place to visit now! And still quite beautiful.

METÉORA -- GREECE

The Metéora (Greek: Μετέωρα) which means "middle of the sky," in Greek, is an enormous complex of 6 monasteries that hang on the edge of Mount Athos in Greece.

They are built on natural sandstone rock pillars, at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly, near the Pindus Mountains, in central Greece. It is a UNESCO World Heritage.

BONIFACIO -- CORSICA, FRANCE

Bonifacio is a fortified city hanging 230 feet above sea level at the southern tip of the island of Corsica. The ocean has eaten away at the limestone cliff walls so that the buildings overhang above the rough waves below, making this a wicked edge experience.

The view from Bonifacio is spectacular. The Mediterranean Sea stretches out far and wide, with a spunky marina at the edge. Check out the surf. Bonifacio is the surf, sail, and kite-surfing capital of France.

CASTELLFOLLIT DE LA ROCA -- SPAIN

Set on the edge of Catalonia in Spain, Castellfollit de la Roca looks as if it could tumble at any time. But, this beautiful village is firmly ensconced on top of dramatic basalt cliffs, in between two rivers, as it has been since the Middle Ages.

The village is less than one-half of a square mile in size, with narrow streets and houses made from volcanic rock.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Edges in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 03.01.15. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!