The Pantheon in Rome has occupied its present location for nearly 2000 years. It was originally designed in 27 B.C. as a pagan temple for all twelve Roman deities; supernatural and immortal beings. The deities were Apollo, Ceres, Diana, Juno, Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Minerva, Neptune, Venus, Vesta and Vulcan.

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 The massive original doors are still used for entry into the Basilica.

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The structure is as wide as it is tall (140 x 140 feet).  The 30 foot wide oculus in the roof is the only source of light and was designed to allow the smoke from the burning of sacrificed animals to escape. The hemispherical dome was made from un-reinforced concrete and is still the largest dome in the world of its type.

Circular exterior view of the side of the Pantheon

The coffers for the concrete dome were poured in molds. Eight massive granite columns support the triangular tympanon. 

Agrippa was the son-in-law of Emperor Augustus. Agrippa’s name is still inscribed in the trabeation above the portico in Latin and bears the inscription “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, Consul for the third time built this.”

Pantheon Restoration

Agrippa did not really build the Pantheon; he built an earlier temple on this site in 27 B.C. that was ravaged by a fire. The Pantheon was built in 125 AD during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. 

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The Pantheon was given to Pope Boniface IV in 609 and he converted it into a church and named it Santa Maria ad Martyres. Pope Boniface had 28 carloads of martyrs’ bones brought here from various cemeteries in Rome. It became the first pagan temple to be consecrated as a church.

Saint Mary and the Martyrs houses the mortal remains of Raphael in an ancient marble sarcophagus. Raphael died in 1520.  The bust of Raphael located in the niche left of the aedicule and was completed in 1833 by Giueseppe Fabris.

 The tomb of the fist king of Italy, King Victor Emanuele II (1820-1878), has a statue of St. Ann and the Virgin in the aedicule to the left of the tomb by Lorenzo Ottoni.

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Most of the marble was recycled for St. Peter’s Basilica. In 1625, Pope Urban VIII (Barberini) removed the bronze from the beams of the portico to make 80 cannons for Castel Sant’Angelo and the four spiral columns of Bernini’s Baldachinno in St. Peter’s Basilica. The colossal bronze doors are original. Today we might consider that a “green” ecologically friendly move but the Roman’s say, “Whatever the barbarians didn’t do, the Barberini did.” The tomb of Victor Emanuele II was then created from bronze that was recast from the Castel Sant’Angelo’s cannons at the turn of the 20^th century.

The general area around the Pantheon is the financial and political hub of the city and includes the stock exchange and Parliament. I think the Cafe Agrippa is a great place for a “Vino con Vista”!

The Piazza della Rotunda is the name of the square in front of the Pantheon. One of Rome’s prized Egyptian obelisks occupies the center of the square. Did you know that you will never get lost in Rome if you follow the obelisks? They  are like a Roman GPS system that mark important landmarks in Rome.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides to Italy and  Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites. 

To learn more about Rome visit www.vino-con-vista.com

Buon Viaggio–

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Enjoy a new adventure with your friends! Check out www.vinogogh.com for details. They offer art classes in western suburbs around Chicago!

Get ready to “Paint, Drink and be Merry” at these fun painting parties!

Sign-up: The painting featured on the calendar for that day will be the one you can create.

1. Show-up. We provide all art supplies – canvas, brush, paint & an apron to wear.
2. Paint! Our instructor leads the class through a 2-3 hour session where you turn your blank canvas into your own work-of-art, that you take home.

Let us show you how simple it really is to create your own painting, even if you have never painted before.

Click here to see more pictures from one of the recent events.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza is located on Corso del Rinascimento at the end of the Palazzo della Sapienza courtyard.  It is the only church in Rome with a corkscrew, twisted spiral spire.  The corkscrew spiral was the  inspiration for the spire of Vor Frelsers Kirke in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This Baroque church was built between 1642 and 1660 in the ancient courtyard of the Università la Sapienza (University of Knowledge), by Francesco Borromini. 

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This was originally the chapel church of the University of Rome (La Sapienza).  Sapienza means “Knowledge” and it was the first university founded in Rome.

Click here to watch a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0xzXhJ-_-E.

The façade is decorated with columns that are incorporated into the walls. There are semi-circular arched windows which rise toward the spiral capital that is supporting the cupola.

On the main altar, there is a painting depicting the following Saints: Ives, Leo, Pantaleone, Luke, Catherine of Alexandria, in “The Glory of the Saints” (1661) by Pietro da Cortona. This university in Rome is dedicated to its namesake, Saint Ives (patron saint of the jurists). He is considered ” The Advocate of the Poor.”

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Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza was consecrated in 1660 and was built by the architect Francesco Borromini. Since one of the distinctive characteristics of the church is the beautiful corkscrew spire on the dome; for 15 years after  placing the spire on the roof,  Borromini was responsible for it  in case it collapsed. Inside the church, you can also admire the portrait of Saint Ives on the altar. 

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The church of Saint Ives was built under the direction of Cardinal Barberini. You can observe the Barberini Bees on the facade of the church.

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The church began as a chapel of the palace of the University of Rome. The University is called La Sapienza, and the church is devoted to Saint Yves.

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Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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The Baroque Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane in Rome was Borromini‘s first independent commission.

The dome of the church by Borromini intricate,  interlocking coffering composed of octagons, crosses and hexagons. These geometric shapes diminish in size as they rise to the glass window with the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Image by profzucker via Flickr

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The charming, church is named for the four fountains, located at the intersection of the 4 corners of Via del Quirinale and Via Quattro Fontane. This intersection has four landmark fountains; one on each corner.

The figures of the four fountains represent the River Tiber (the symbol of Rome); the River Arno the symbol of Florence; the Goddess Diana; the symbol of Chastity; and the Goddess Juno, the symbol of Strength.

The fountains of the Arno, Tiber, and Juno are the work of Domenico Fontana. The fountain of Diana was designed by the painter and architect Pietro.

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The church’s bi-level, tiered façade conceals an elliptical shaped interior.

A statue of Saint Charles Borromeo by Antonio Raggi  is above the main entrance surrounded by St. John of Matha and St. Felix of Valois, the founders of the Trinitarian Order.

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The statue of the Tiber river can be seen at the lower left of the facade of the church of the  Trinitarian Order.

The church has a  two-storey cloister with porticos, arches and loggias.  The sacristy has a potrait of Borromini.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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Leonardo da Vinci was the embodiment of a Renaissance Man because he excelled at a variety of worthwhile endeavors. He was a celebrated sculptor, painter, architect, engineer and scientist. Leonardo’s “Vitruvian Man” represents the perfectly proportioned man.

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Watch the following video showing four major Italian Renaissance artists and their work : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVQBVE9BzYk

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Michelangelo Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbZen2OOA3M&feature=related

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Titian, Raphael, Giotto Video:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBTtjDMBIbk&feature=related  

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Botticelli Video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOILQzTfYww&feature=related are notable Renaissance artists who were commissioned by wealthy families and popes.

The contributions of these artists decorate the walls of churches, palaces and museums around the world. The Renaissance flourished in Italy and Italian masters graced humanity with a wealth of masterpieces 

 Bartolommeo Vivarini from Venice produced works of art for cities across Northern Italy and down the Adriatic Coast including this altarpiece of “Saint Mark” around 1490.

 Cosme Tura from Ferrara painted “Saint George” around 1474 for the Church of San Giorgio fuori le Mura in Ferrara.

                                                  Carlo Crivelli from Venice painted the “Madonna and Child” in 1468.

                       Alessandro Mattia da Farnese from Rome painted the “Portrait of Prince Augusto Chigi” in 1664.

                                Giovanni di Paolo from Sienna painted “The Madonna and Child with Angels” in 1475.

                                         Sano di Pietro from Siena painted “Saint Catherine of Siena” in about 1450.

                     Fra Angelico (Guido di Pietro) from Florence painted “The Madonna and Child” in 1411-1413.

                                                                                    Giotto‘s “God the Father with Angels”

Saint Jerome

 Bernardino Luini from Milan painted “The Conversion of the Magdalene” (An Allegory of Modesty and Vanity) in 1520 with gesturing hands.

Catena’s “Holy Family” 

I love Luca Signorelli’s, ”The Coronation of the Virgin” 1508

Luca Signorelli is best known for his “Last Judgement: in the Cathedral of Orvieto.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides and  Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites. 

To learn more about Italian art read www.vino-con-vista.com Travel Guides.  Ipad version available .

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Attend a Sicilian Wine Dinner at Prosecco located at 710 N. Wells in Chicago on Tuesday, February 7, 2012. The Sicilian Donnafuggata Winery will be pouring an interesting variety of wines. 

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides about Sicily @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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Attend the 20th anniversay salute to Italian opera, food and wine. This event benefits The Patrick G. and ShirleyW. Ryan Opera Center of the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

When: February 2, 2012

Where: Coco Pazzo 312-836-0900

To Purchase tickets visit ww.cocopazzochicago.com

There will be operatic performances accompanied by Tuscan cuisine prepared by Chef Chris Macchia and Pastry Chef Stephanie Mazzone.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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When: February 22, 2012; 6-8 p.m.

Where: Moe’s Cantina @ 155 W. Kinzie in Chicago

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Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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Katherine Anne Confections will host a decadent Wine, Cheese and Chocolate pairing event.

Where: 2745 W. Armitage in Logan Square in Chicago

When: February 10, 2012 @ 2:00 p.m.

Chocolate, wine, cheese, and beer – great tastes that taste great together. Enjoy an evening of perfect pairings featuring artisan truffles, boutique wines, savory cheese bites, and local brews.

$25 in advance, or $30 at the door. Open-house format.

Featuring:

• VineJoy: try six different wines
• FIG Catering: cheese-focused savory bites
• Katherine Anne Confections: new truffles, caramels, and marshmallows
• Half Acre Beer: 3 awesome brews

 You’ll get to try a total of 12 pairings of wine, beer, chocolate, and savory nibbles.

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Katherine Anne Confections:

• Passionfruit Ginger Truffle
• Mayan Cherry Truffle
• Champagne Raspberry Truffle
• Fleur de Sel Caramel
• “Hot” Chocolate Marshmallow
• last treat TBD!

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VineJoy:

• Fiction Red, Zinfandel Blend
• Jean Bousquet, Cabernet Sauvignon
• Alto Sur Malbec, Argentina
• Shakedown White, Sauvignon Blanc blend
• Vigneron de Caractere Blanc
• Corturri Sandocino, Cabernet/syrah/zin

 Half Acre:

• Daisy Cutter
• Gossamer
• Over Ale

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FIG Catering:

• Rosemary Gorgonzola Gougees
• Housemade Potato Chips with Butterkase Fondue
• Cowda on Pistachio Shortbread with FIG Jam
• Smoked Salmon on a Bagel Chip with Mango-Dill-Jalapeno Cream Cheese
• Camembert & Apple Tartlet
• Blue Cheese & Steak Crostini with Balsamic Caramelized Onions

Wine, truffles/caramels/’mallows and other treats will be available for purchase or pre-order.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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