Tag Archives: Italy

May 24, 2013 · 11:21 am

Assisi is a UNESCO Site in Umbria Italy

: Image by S Moses via Flickr

The town of Assisi in Umbria is a fascinating place to view Franciscan sites in the Perugia region of Umbria. Assisi is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Italy.

St. Francis of Assisi (circa 1182-1220) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Assisi is the birth and burial place of St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan order. The Franciscans take the vow of poverty. St. Francis and St. Catherine are the patron saints of Italy. Assisi is located at the foot of Mount Subasio. This medieval city is built on a hill. It is closely associated with disseminating the work of the Franciscan Order throughout the world; the universal message of peace and tolerance.

“Its medieval ensemble of artistic masterpieces, such as the Basilica of San Francesco and paintings by Cimabue, Pietro Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Giotto have significantly contributed to the development of Italian and European art and architecture.” UNESCO

St. Francis (1182-1226) was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on July 16, 1228. The basilica was founded in 1228 after his canonization. Completed in 1253, it has an upper church and a lower church and is frequently visited by religious pilgrims from around the world. The frescoed basilica is a monument to St. Francis. The Franciscans offer free guided tours in English.

Giotto di Bondone – Saint Francis and Saint Clare – WGA09163 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Simone Martini, fresco detail depicting Saint Clare of Assisi, (1322–26), Lower basilica of San Francesco, Assisi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pietro Lorenzetti fresco detail, Assisi Basilica, 1310-1329. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why Giotto Is a Man of His Time… and Ours (bigthink.com)
The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence is the “National Pantheon” (vinoconvistablog.me)
Art at the Pinacoteca Vaticana in the Vatican Museums (vinoconvistablog.me)
Bernini’s Church of Santa Bibiana in Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)

Crucifixion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Franciscan Allegories: Allegory of Obedience (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why Giotto Is a Man of His Time… and Ours (bigthink.com)
The Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence is the “National Pantheon” (vinoconvistablog.me)
Art at the Pinacoteca Vaticana in the Vatican Museums (vinoconvistablog.me)
Bernini’s Church of Santa Bibiana in Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)

St. Francis of Assisi renounces his worldly goods in a painting attributed to Giotto di Bondone. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dansk: Giotto: Udfrielsen af hæretikeren Pietro,San Francesco basilikaen, Assisi English: Giotto: Liberation of the heretic Peter,Basilica of Saint Francis,Assisi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the Legend of St. Francis frescoes at Assisi, the authorship of which is disputed. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Prayer of Saint Francis

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen”

To learn more about Italy read www.vino-con-vista.com Travel Guides.

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Tagged as Assisi, Christianity, Francis of Assisi, Franciscan, Franciscans, Italy, italy travel, Pietro Lorenzetti, Prayer of Saint Francis, Religion and Spirituality, Renaissance, Simone Martini, The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, Travel Guide Umbria, Umbria

April 26, 2013 · 10:35 am

Mangia and Vino con Vista in Ravenna: A UNESCO Site in Emilia-Romagna

: Image via Wikipedia

English: Cross. Detail from the 6th century Byzantine mosaic in the apse of the basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe (Ravenna, Italy) Italiano: Croce gemmata. Particolare del mosaico bizantino nel catino absidale di Sant’Apollinare in Classe a Ravenna (secolo VI). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Built in 548 A.D. The sights of Ravenna are mostly from the period when Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ravenna houses early Christian Monuments in the Romagna Region www.turismoravenna.it . Ravenna was initially the seat of the Roman Empire in the 5^th century, the Visigoth Empire and finally the Byzantine Italian Empire under Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora until the 8^th century. Ravenna was the capital of the Western Roman Empire for 150 years.

Dante; Dante Museum, Ravenna, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Dante Alighieri’s portrait by Sandro Botticelli. Tempera 54,7 x 47,5 cm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ravenna’s proximity to the sea and unique collection of early Christian mosaics and monuments make it a desirable destination. The Torre del Pubblico leans more than the Tower of Pisa. Dante’s tomb is located on Via Dante Alighieri. Beautiful beaches are found in the Punta Marina di Ravenna.

Domenico di Michelino, La Divina Commedia di Dante (Dante and the Divine Comedy). 1465 fresco, in the dome of the church of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence (Florence’s cathedral). Dante Alighieri is shown holding a copy of his epic poem The Divine Comedy. He is pointing to a procession of sin. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ravenna flourished under the Byzantine Empire. All eight artistically noteworthy buildings: the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo, the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’ Apollinare in Classe were constructed in the 5^th and 6^th centuries. The octagonal baptistery contains a beautiful mosaic of John the Baptist and Christ.

Ravenna 1996_0016 (Photo credit: thomas alan)

Ravenna’s mosaics are considered to be the finest in the world outside Istanbul. “The artistry of the mosaics and monuments presents an enlightened blend of Greco-Roman, Christian iconography, oriental and Western genres. Ravenna provides a glimpse into artistic and religious relationships during an important period of European cultural history.” UNESCO

Dante gazes at Mount Purgatory in an allegorical portrait by Agnolo Bronzino, painted c. 1530 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ravenna offers an array of annual events including the prestigious summer “Ravenna Festival” with opera performances, classical music and ballet. In September, the Basilica of San Francesco conducts Progetto Dante: “La Divina Commedia nel Mondo” with readings from Dante’s Divine Comedy. The Basilica was built in the 5th century and completely re-built between the 10th and 11th centuries. Dante Alighieri’s funeral was held here in 1321.

Gustave Doré’s illustration to Dante’s Inferno. Plate IX: Canto III: Arrival of Charon. “And lo! towards us coming in a boat / An old man, hoary with the hair of eld, / Crying: ‘Woe unto you, ye souls depraved!’” (Longfellow’s translation) “And, lo! toward us in a bark / Comes an old man, hoary white with eld, / Crying “Woe to you, wicked spirits!” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dante’s death tomb in Ravenna. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the peaceful Piazza dell Popola, or beside the Marina di Ravenna, you can enjoy a pleasant “Vino con Vista.” Have a glass of Rosso Ravenna, Bianco Ravenna or Sangiovese de Romagna Superiore Riserva with your Parmigiano Reggiano. Ravenna is famous for its olive oil from Brisighella, and the vineyards from prestigious Albana.

Think about that Ducati or Ferrari you’ve had your eye on as you watch the Italians enjoy their testosterone infused rides. If you prefer, you can plan your next mosaic tile project as you sip your delicious Lambrusco at one of the charming cafes.

If you dine at Gigiole on Piazza Couvour or Antica Trattoria al Gallo 1909 on via Maggione, try some Tagliatelle Bolognese. In this region, they love cheese and butter; so don’t forget to take your cholesterol medication.

Dine at the Buon Ricordo destination at the Ristorante Hotel Tino in Massa Lombarda @ Via Resistenza, 22 (www.tinomassalombarda.it). The “Ossobuco del Cavaliere” comes with a charming collector plate depicting a knight on horseback. The veal is served with saffron risotto. Dine in the charming courtyard of this hotel.

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

To learn more about Italy read www.vino-con-vista.com Travel Guides.

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Filed under Ancient mosaics in Ravenna, Ancient Rome, Dante, ebooks, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italian Food, Italian Food and Wine, Italian Wine, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, oenogastronomic, Ravenna, Roman Architecture, Roman Emperors, Rome History, The Divine Comedy, Travel and Tourism, UNESCO, UNESCO WOrld Heritage Sites in SIcily, vino con vista, Wine, World Heritage Sites

Tagged as Basilica of San Vitale, Byzantine Empire, Dante Alighieri, Emilia Romagna, Italian wine, Italy, italy travel, Italy Travel Guides, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Roman Empire, Rome, Travel and Tourism, vino con vista, World Heritage Site

April 23, 2013 · 12:57 pm

Top UNESCO Attractions in Turin Italy

Venaria Reale, Torino. Piazza dell’Annunziata (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Torino, Mole Antonelliana, (Italy). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Coat of arms of Turin Italiano: Stemma di Torino che si trova presso Palazzo Carignano, lato piazza Carlo Alberto (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Palazzo Carignano, Turin: back from Piazza Carignano. Italiano: Palazzo Carignano a Torino: retro da Piazza Carignano. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: turin italy piazza castello (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Italiano: Collage di varie foto di Torino (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Venaria Reale (Torino) – Reggia sabauda (Photo credit: giovanni_novara)

Turin‘s main attractions include important Baroque palaces and churches and world-class museums.

Turin is the European capital of Baroque including: Palazzo Carignano, Piazza San Carlo – the city’s meeting point and the San Lorenzo and San Filippo churches. Baroque also characterizes the Royal Residences, the Reggia di Venaria, the Castello di Rivoli.

The city also has elements of Art Nouveau style that embellishes the city’s elegant architectural districts.

Turin was the capital of Italy and has plenty of contemporary art and design.

English: Palazzo Carignano in Turin: main façade, from Piazza Carlo Alberto. Italiano: Palazzo Carignano a Torino: facciata principale, da Piazza Carlo Alberto. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are 15 Savoy Residences that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/823.

Fronte di Palazzo Carignano di Torino al tramonto. Leggero retouch per esaltare un croma e bordi da stampa anastatica. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

They represent an important cultural route for travelers. Five of the sites are in the city: Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Madama, Palazzo Carignano, Castello del Valentino and Villa della Regina. The others are outside the city boundaries: the Stupinigi Hunting Lodge, the castles of Rivoli – hosting the important Museum of Contemporary Art, Moncalieri, AgliÃ and the Reggia di Venaria. The residences were completed around the middle 18th Century and are also known as the “delightful crown” because they surround Turin like a ring.

Palazzo Madama in Piazza Castello was recently re-opened after a long refurbishment. It was home of the Queen, and is a mix of medieval and baroque rooms. There’s plenty of art religious art and scenes of life in Torino.
Tickets € 7,5

Palazzo Carignano, Via Accademia delle Scienze 5 (close to Piazza Castello).
Castello di Rivoli is located in the small town of Rivoli, east of Turin. It houses one of Europe’s most important Contemporary Art Museums. The Castle of Rivoli is a unfinished XVIII castle that stands on top of Rivoli hills. Corso Francia (France Road) is one of the world’s longest streets and was built because of the desire of the House of Savoy to connect Royal Palace in the center of Turin with Rivoli Castle. You can reach it by bus or taxi.
La Venaria Reale outside the town of Venaria, 10 kilometres north east of Turin. Restored to the baroque magnificence that inspired it when it was built in the mid 17th century for duke Carlo Emanuele II di Savoia, the Reggia of Venaria Reale was inaugurated in October 2007, after two centuries of abandon and decay, and eight years of intense restoration. In the first year since it opened to the public, Venaria Reale has welcomed approximately 1.000.000 visitors becoming one of the most popular spot in Italy. The enormous palace, which has a surface area of over 80,000 square metres, contains some of the most outstanding examples of European baroque architecture: the enchanting Salone di Diana, designed by Amedeo di Castellamonte, the solemnity of the Galleria Grande and the chapel of Sant’Uberto, and the immense complex of the Scuderie, designed by the 17th century genius, Filippo Juvarra. The Gardens now represent a close combination of ancient and modern. Venaria Reale, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is at the centre of the circuit of Royal Residences in Piedmont. To get there: Venaria Express” shuttle bus operated by GTT (freephone number: 800 019152 http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt Bus: routes 72, 11 (freephone number: 800 019152 – http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt) Train: Turin-Ceres line (freephone number: 800 019152 – http://www.comune.torino.it/gtt) Car: Torino Nord orbital road, Venaria or Savonera/Venaria exit. GTT bus ticket with return € 5.Entrance to the Venaria 15 €. (July 2012)

Front of palace Carignano, Turin (Italy) Français : Façade de palais Carignano, Turin (Italie) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Torino, Italia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Museo Nazionale del Cinema is a vertical structure located on 5 floors in in the magical Mole Antonelliana building.

The Mole Antonelliana was completed in 1888 as a synagogue. The 167.5-meter tower is the highest work of masonry in Europe and it now contains one of the finest cinema museum of Europe. An elevator to the top is available with a ticket.

The National Cinema Museum opened in July 2000. The 5-story exhibition includes themes: Archaeology of Cinema, the Video Camera, a collection of cinema posters, video installations (including a number of small rooms screening clips on themes such as Turin in the movies, love stories and experimental film) and The Great Temple (where you recline in comfortable red chairs and watch classic Italian films projected on giant screens overhead).
In a spectacular setting the museum offers artifacts from the collection of the Maria Adrianna Prolo Foundation including magic lanterns, optical illusions, photographs, drawings, models and other curious items. Amongst a fascinating array of other movie memorabilia, be sure to check out the original cape worn by Christopher Reeve in Superman. If you’re a certain age, that’s incredibly exciting!
The Egyptian Museum is the second most important museum in the world after the one in Cairo and houses an important collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. It is located on Via Accademia delle Scienze, 6, ☎ 011 561 7776. outside Cairo. Founded in 1824 by King Carlo Felice after acquiring archeologist Drovetti’s collection, the museum contains 30,000 exhibits. It documents the history and civilization of Egypt from the paleolithic to the Coptic era through unique exhibits and collections of objects d’art, articles of daily use and funeral furnishings (including the Altar of Isis, the canvas painted by Gebelein, the intact tombs of Kha and Merit, and the exceptional cliff temple to Ellesjia). The museum is open every day except Mondays and Christmas (December 25th). Ticket are € 7,5.

Di ritorno dalla Galleria Sabauda (Photo credit: kiki follettosa)

Museo dell’Automobile st Corso Unità d’Italia 40. The collection houses over 170 vehicles, from 18th-century carriages to Formula 1 cars. cars.
The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Duomo di San Giovanni. The Cathedral’s Chapel of the Shroud houses the controversial Shroud of Turin, which is stored in a vault below the Duomo.
Quadrilatero Romano is filled with restaurants in the old Roman town, northwest of Piazza Castello.
Via Garibaldi is a pedestrian shopping zone between Piazza Castello and Piazza Statuto.
Galleria Subalpina is a pedestrian passage from Piazza Castello and Piazza Carlo Alberto. It is one of the most elegant places in the city.
Valentino Park, the biggest park in Turin central area. This park is situated along the Po river where you can find the Valentino Castle and the Medieval Village (Borgo Medievale).
Cathedral of Superga. On top of the hill near Turin, this cathedral was built to celebrate a victorious battle against French. Take a trip to Superga by train from Sassi to see the magnificant Vino con Vista panoramic view of Turin. The Cathedral houses the tombs of the House of Savoy. In 1949, a plane carrying the entire Turin FC team crashed near the cathedral, killing one of the greatest football teams ever. At the crash site a plate memorializes the dead. The top of the hill offers the best view of Turin, with the magnificent Alps in the background. You can reach the top by car but also by a little chain-train. Ask for the Trenino per Superga. Chain train with return € 6.Take the straicase inside the church to reach the top,€ 3.
Piedmont´s picturesque Langhe region is the home of Barolo and Barbaresco. Visit the Slow Food town of Bra, Alba (home of the white truffle festival).
Barolo is a delightful wine hamlet, crowned with a castle. Grinzane Cavour is another village with a stunning castle where the annual truffle auction takes place. .In Turin look for a tour of wine estates in Langhe. Head south to the vineyards of the Langhe. Visiting wine estates and the castle of Grinzane Cavour, which also houses a wine museum and regional wine shop with many top Barolos, Barbarescos and Grappas.

: Piazza dell’Annunziata and the parish church, Venaria Reale, Turin, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Armeria Reale (Royal Armoury), Piazza Castello, Turin, Italy, ☎ 011543889. 1. Turin’s Royal Armoury contains one of the Europes best arms exhibits, dating back to the 16th century. The collection was put together in 1833 by Sardinian King Charles Albert.
Porta Palazzo market is 5 minutes from Piazza Castello. It is one of the biggest and most diverse markets in Europe. The markets are open every weekday morning and all day Saturday. On Sunday Porta Palazzo houses a smaller flea market.

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

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Filed under Italy Travel Guides, Top UNESCO Attractions in Turin Italy

Tagged as Italy, Mole Antonelliana, National Cinema Museum, Palazzo Carignano, Rivoli, Rivoli Castle, Top UNESCO Attractions in Turin Italy, Torino, Turin, Venaria Reale, World Heritage Site

April 22, 2013 · 10:54 am

The Best Vino con Vista Wine Tourism Adventures in Italy’s Major Wine Regions

Italian Wine

Asiago (Photo credit: Birnardo)

If you follow my posts, you know that I adore Italy’s intoxicating Vino con Vistas! Italy is one of the world’s most alluring travel destinations with captivating panoramic vistas of majestic mountains and volcanoes surrounded by the glistening sea.

La collina di Bacco (Photo credit: gigi 62)

I am an advocate of Wine Tourism and Culinary Travel. I even write Travel Guides called “Vino con Vista.” I have traveled the peninsula and identified my favorite places to enjoy “Wine with a View.”

Vineyards in Gaiole in Chianti in the Chianti Classico region (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The micro-climates of regions from Piedmont to Sicily provide the nations’s wine producers with abundant resources and endless opportunities to produce highly regarded wines. There are over 300 varietals cultivated across the peninsula from the foothills to the southermost islands. Wine tourim is enhanced by the nation’s flourishing culinary culture that spawns superb cooking schools and world-class gourmet farm-to-fork chefs.

Tuscany, Italian wine region of Chianti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Vin Santo e Cantucci in Milan, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My favorite wine always pairs well with art, architecture and the best age-old culinary traditions; think Vin Santo with cantucci/biscotti while watching the Palio in Siena; that’s a Vino con Vista. I take great pleasure in the fact that Trebbiano grapes are used to produce wine that has been aged in a barrel with a cross on it. That’s the inherent charm of Italy.

Many towns, such as San Gimignano, were enclosed with walls, causing crowding and the building of tower houses. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Thick, sugary Trebbiano juice leaving the basket press from dried Trebbiano grapes being used to produce the Italian dessert wine Vin Santo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Italian wine Vin Santo with its traditional food pairing of Biscotti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A wine barrel with a cross on it designating that it is being used to aged the Italian dessert wine Vin Santo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yes, I love wine that pairs with indigenous food. Although, I must admit that I have paired gelato with wine in San Gimignano; there’s no shame to that! Just don’t try it with Chianti Classico. I have been reprimanded by many Italian waiters for requesting grated cheese for my seafood pasta. They absolutely refuse; so I have to sneak grated cheese from my friends that are having pasta without seafood.

Late harvest grapes being harvested to produce the Italian dessert wine Vin Santo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My travel plans frequently involve Wine and Food Festivals. Wine is produced and celebrated everywhere in Italy’s 20 regions. It’s a great place for touring and tasting.

While Vin Santo wines are produced throughout Italy, the vast majority of production takes place in the provinces of Tuscany. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Production of the Italian straw wine, Vin Santo, begining with Trebbiano being dried until they are raisin and concentrated with sugar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Agriturismo system is conducive to wine tourism because it provides accommodations for tourists at the wine estate. In addition, monasteries and castles have been converted into five-star hotels in many of Italy’s wine regions. Azienda Agricola Malenchini’s family run farm has been growing grapes and olives since 1830 www.malenchini.com.

Giuseppe Garibaldi – Portrait of an Italian Patriot with Red Wine & Cabbage (Photo credit: Nino.Modugno)

I visited the Dievole Winery during one of my trips to Tuscany but next time, I will stay at the luxury Florentine Villa with two pools www.dievole.it. Go to Castello da Verrazzano and visit the historical working cellars and gaze at the wild boars www.verrazano.com. Visit Ristorante Enoteca Borgo Allegro with 400 labels of the best Italian and Tuscan wines www.borgoallegro.it

Italy’s WIne Regions

Montalcino, Toscana, Italia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Brunello di Montalcino 2000 – Il Marroneto – Vigna Madonna delle Grazie (Photo credit: dags1974)

Cantine Aperte is held on the last Sunday of May and offers outstanding opportunities for anyone interested in Italian wine. This is the day when many wine producers throughout Italy open their doors for a free tasting of their wines. There’s a great four-day annual Chianti Wine Festival in the town of Greve in Tuscany. http://www.greve-in-chianti.com/en/2010_wine_festival.htm

Tuscany is the home of Italy’s most famous wines made with Sangiovese grapes: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino.

Montalcino (Photo credit: littlestar19)

Brunello de Montalcino

When you travel to Italy’s wine regions you can visit Col d’Orcia. They have been making wine since the 17oos. This producer is located on 1300 acres in Tuscany’s Siena province on the outskirts of the medieval hilltop village of Montalcino. The vineyards occupy 370 acres on the hills between the Orcia River and Sant’Angelo in Colle. Col d’Orcia is owned by Count Francesco Marone Cinzano and primarily produces the Brunello clone of Sangiovese.

Brunello de Montalcino

Italian wine region of Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many interesting regions in Italy for Touring and Tasting. You can visit Piedmont, Tuscany and many of Italy’s major wine regions, from Alto Aidge in the north to Puglia and Campania in the south. You can travel to the islands of Sardinia and Sicily for more Wine Tourism Adventures. Furthermore, Apulia (Puglia), in the South of Italy is known for Primitivo and is emerging as an interesting destination for Enoturism. For more information, visit ViaggiareinPuglia.it.

Italian wine (Photo credit: toyohara)

In the Italian wine region of Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Click on this link to see the Wine Spectator Maps of Italy: http://assets.winespectator.com/wso/Maps/Italymap.pdf

Let’s explore some of Italy’s wine regions:

A food and wine pairing with the Italian wine Amarone from Valpolicella, Veneto. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The north-eastern Venato region of Italy is protected by the Alps. The cooler climates are suited to white varietals like Garganega; the warmer Adriatic coastal plaines produce Amarone, Valpolicella and Bardolino. Sparkling Prosecco is produced in this region.

Conegliano is one of Italy’s leading wine schools in this region. Every year, Verona hosts Vinitaly, the world’s leading Wine Festival.

Prosecco

An interesting range of wines which are unique to Italy are made with grapes that are dried in the warm air by laying them out on mats after harvesting. These recioto grapes make two basic styles of wine: Amarone della Valpolicella, which is vinified to be dry and very alcoholic and Recioto.

A Vineyard in the Italian wine region of Valpolicella in the Veneto. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Amarone

Casa Vinicola Bertani is one on the region’s most influential wine producers. Bertani was founded in 1857 by Gaetano and Giovani Battista Bertani. They are vertically integrated; they own the vineyards and control the entire wine-making cycle.

In 2004, the winter was cold and wet with an average spring. Summer was characterized by warm days and cool nights allowing for optimal ripening. The wine was aged in oak casks for 7 years and bottled in January of 2011.

1980 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico from the Venato

The 1980 Spring had average temperatures and precipitation with a hot, dry summer. Yields were lower but fruit quality was high. The wine was fermented for 46 days and aged for 10 years in large Slovonian oak barrels. The wine was bottled in February of 1991.

Nebbiolo has a long history in the Alba region of Piedmont. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Amarone

Italian wine (Photo credit: toyohara)

Ripasso and Recioto are also produced in the Venato; fermentation is stopped earlier for Recioto to capture sweetness. Try some Amarones and Reciotos from wineries like Alighieri, Masi and Allegrini.

English: Barolo, Piedmont, Italy – the village Italiano: Barolo, Piemonte, Italia – il paese (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Barolo (Photo credit: verovera78)

The subregion of Piedmont called Langhe, is where the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco are produced. Piedmont produces complex red wines made from Nebbiolo grapes in the Barolo and Barbaresco appellations. Traditionally these wines age well and have an intense fruit flavor.

Other Piedmontese wines include: fruity Barbera and sweet Brachetto and Dolcetto. Sparkling Asti is made from the Moscato grape.

In the Italian wine region of Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cerretto, Gaja, Aldo Conterno and Giacosa are prominent producers in this area. Visit Cerretto’s headquarters at the Monsordo Bernadina winery outside Alba and then go to the town of Alba and have lunch at Ristorante La Piola in the Piazza Duomo. Alba is a picturesque medieval village that also produces Barbera.

http://assets.winespectator.com/wso/Maps/Piedmontmap.pdf

Ceretto – Barbaresco “Asij” Docg 2007 (Photo credit: Doyouwine)

Italian wine made from Nebbiolo in Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

the heart of Sicily (Photo credit: Chiara Marra)

I love Sicily. Start your adventure in Palermo and travel to the wineries in Avola and the other beautiful towns in Southern Sicily. Visit the D0nna Fuggata Winery in Sicily. You will also adore Palermo, Cefalu, Taormina and the Aeolian Islands!

Vino Con Vista Sicily

Sicily 2009 (Photo credit: mad_76)

Sicily has a plethora of interesting sites and produces a broad array of bold wines. Have some Nero d’Avola as you watch a movie in the Greco-Roman Theater at the annual Taormina Film Festival. Spend the weekend at the luxurious San Domenico

Palace hotel, a former 15th century monastery.

Visit the Late Baroque towns in Southeastern Sicily where yau can tour and taste in the town of Avola. Dine at La Gazza Landra on Via Blandini in Modica ALta.

: Campania is another outstanding Vino con Vista destination. The smoldering volcano that destroyed Pompeii and Herculanuem generated fertile volcanis soil for growing grapes, lemons and olives. Pallagrello Nero, Aglianico, Biancolella and Fiano grapes are used to produce sumptuous wines in this region. Sip some Lacryma Christi del Bianco or Flanghina wine from your lounge chair at the beach or on your splendid terrace in the Amalfi Coast. This region produces plenty of limoncello.; Terraza del Vino 7 (Photo credit: BodegaContiempo)

Italian wine region of Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

http://assets.winespectator.com/wso/Maps/Piedmontmap.pdf

Ceretto – Barbaresco “Asij” Docg 2007 (Photo credit: Doyouwine)

Italian wine made from Nebbiolo in Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

the heart of Sicily (Photo credit: Chiara Marra)

Sicily has a plethora of interesting sites and produces a broad array of bold wines.

Vino con Vista Sicily

http://assets.winespectator.com/wso/Maps/Sicilymap.pdf

Brunello di Montalcino

Italian Wine

Brunello di Montalcino (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino 2003 Italian wine from Tuscany made from Sangiovese (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Brolio

Sangiovese grapes in a vineyard of Montalcino, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tuscany is one of the most popular destinations for wine tourism. You can visit the Chianti, Bolgheri, Brunello di Montalcino, Maremma and the Montepulciano appellation.

2006 Castello Banfi Belnero Toscana, I.G.T. from Montalcino (Photo credit: Michal Osmenda)

The Montepulciano grape is most widely planted on the opposite coast of Abruzzo; not the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany where Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from Sangiovese grapes. The Vernaccia grape is used for white Vernaccia de San Gimignano.

Abbey of Sant’Antimo, Montalcino, Tuscany (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A good example of the Italian wine Brunello di Montalcino with partial Sangiovese cluster behind class. Just need to crop out the chickens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chianti and the towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano are the wine-producing regional rock stars in Tuscany!

The gallo nero seal of the Consorzio Chianti Classico (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tuscany Cipresses (Photo credit: Maarten Van Hoof)

English: Castle (Fortezza) at Montalcino, Siena, Italy. Photo taken by Type17, 18:50hrs June 24th 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The best quality wines are the Riservas.

They generally come from Sangiovese grapes in the Chianti Classico zone, which stretches from Florence to Siena. Try wines from Antinori, Castell’in Villa, San Felice and Isole e Olena. Try to attend the annual Chianti festival in the charming town of Greve in Tuscany.

Landscape in the Italian wine region of Greve in the Chianti area in Tuscany, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A bottle of the Italian wine Chianti Classico made from Sangiovese (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chianti sub-zone (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Italian wine Brunello from Tuscany made from Sangiovese (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sangiovese grapes on the vine in the Italian wine region of Chianti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

http://assets.winespectator.com/wso/Maps/Tuscanymap.pdf

Chianti Classico

Montalcino (Photo credit: littlestar19)

English: The Municipality of Montalcino within the Province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy Italiano: Il comune di Montalcino nella Provincia di Siena, Toscana, Italia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: View of Montalcino from the Castle (Fortezza). Taken Sept 8th 2006 by me. Canon EOS 20D, 10mm focal length (16mm effective length) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rome‘s Wine Tourism is increasing. The Roman Hills and Frascati offer excellent Vino con Vista opportunities.

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 189v – The Communion of the Apostles the Musée Condé, Chantilly. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Frascati (Photo credit: twicepix)

Franciacorta

Prosecco

Beschreibung: Kiste mit Tignanello-Flaschen – eine Kostbarkeit. Fotograf: Benutzer:BMK 8/2004 Please send reference and voucher copy to BMK(at)clever.ms Bitte Quellenangabe und Beleg an BMK(at)clever.ms (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bottles of Sassicaia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Italian Wine

Sangiovese vines of Brunello di Montalcino in Tuscany (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Map of Italy and its districts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There an annual fall wine festival in Greve in Chianti from September 6-9, 2012. Greve is on the Via Chiantigiana; the Chianti route to Siena. The Festival is held in Piazza Matteotti.

City Lights, France-Italy Border (NASA, International Space Station Science, 04/28/10) (Photo credit: NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center)

I love Italy’s Wine Regions @ www.vino-con-vista.com

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Filed under Italy Travel Guides, Wine Spectator's List and Maps of Italy's Major Wine Regions, Wine Spectator's Maps of Italy's Major Wine Regions, Wine Tourism Adventures in Italy's Major Wine Regions

Tagged as Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Wine, Chianti, Italy, Italian wine, Sicily, vino con vista, Campania, Siena, San Gimignano, Barbaresco, Montalcino, Piedmont, Amarone, Wine Spectator's List and Maps of Italy's Major Wine Regions, Bolgheri, Trebbiano, Aldo Conterno, Isole e Olena, Wine Spectator's Maps of Italy's Major Wine Regions, WIne Tourism, Wine Tourism Adventures in Italy's Major Wine Regions, Agritourism, Apulia, Vin Santo

April 20, 2013 · 11:52 am

I Love Italian Renaissance Art

: Image via Wikipedia

Euro-standard circulation Italian 1 euro coin (national/obverse side). The design represents Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of the proportions of the human body (also known as the Vitruvian man). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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.

Image via Wikipedia

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

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

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

Image via Wikipedia

Titian, Raphael, Giotto Video:

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

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

Image via Wikipedia

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

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leonardo (Photo credit: Arenamontanus)

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

Reasons Why The Renaissance Started in Italy (brighthub.com)
So How Did the Renaissance Begin? (vino-con-vista.us)
Vatican Museums (romeinfo.wordpress.com)
Excellent Art Galleries Worth Visiting in Italy (vino-con-vista.info)
Face of Devil Discovered in Giotto Fresco (inquisitr.com)
The devil’s in the details of a Giotto fresco (msnbc.msn.com)

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Filed under ebooks, Florence, IPad, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Renaissance Art

Tagged as Alessandro Mattia de Farnese, Art, art history, Art of Italy, Bartolommeo Vivarini, Bernardino Luini, Bernardino Luini An Allegory of Modesty and Vanity, Carlo Crivelli, Coronation of the Virgin, Cosme Tura, Donatello, Fra Angelico, Giotto, Giovanni de Paolo, History, Italian Renaissance, Italy, italy travel, Italy Travel Guides, Leonardo, Leonardo da Vinci, Luca Signorelli, Madonna (art), Michelangelo, Mona Lisa, Raphael, Renaissance, Renaissance art, Renaissance Florence, Rome, Saint Jerome, Sano di Pietro, Titian, Travel and Tourism, Trevi Fountain, Venice, Vitruvian Man, Vitruvian Man in a Square and in a Circle

April 18, 2013 · 11:42 am

Piazza del Popolo’s Top 5 Vino con Vista Opportunities in Rome

Roma – Piazza del Popolo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Piazza del Popolo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Piazza del Popolo is one of my favorite pedestrian-only squares in Rome because it offers so many interesting sites and things to do. The Piazza is situated between the ancient Porta Flaminia and the park of the Pincio.

Image via Wikipedia

popolo archway

The Porta Flaminia was one of the gates in the ancient Roman Aurelian Wall. It was the starting point of the Via Flaminia which led north to the Roman town of Ariminum ( Rimini) in Ancient Rome. On the north end of the piazza stands the Porta del Popolo that is also called the Porta Flaminia.

Porta del Popolo or Porta Flaminia in Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It leads to the the Piazzale Flaminio and the start of the Via Flaminia. The gateway was reconfigureed by Bernini for Pope Alexander VII in 1655, to welcome Queen Christina of Sweden to Rome following her conversion to Roman Catholicism after her abdication.

Popolo piazza

The Piazza has a suberb location in Rome. The central street, the Via del Corso follows southward to the Piazza Venezia, the Capitol and the forum. The Via di Ripetta leads past the Mausoleum of Augustus to the River Tiber and the Via del Babuino (“Baboon”) leads to Piazza di Spagna.

The Piazza has one of the tallest obelisks in Rome surrounded by outdoor cafes perfectly suited to an extraordinary Vino con Vista. There are three churches in the square: The Church of Santa Maria del Popolo with a simple facade and the twin Baroque churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (1681) and Santa Maria in Montesanto (1679).

1. From Piazza del Popolo you can climb the stairs behind the Neptune fountain to the top of the Pincio Steps that lead from the Piazza del Popolo to the Villa Borghese’s gardens. The stairs link the piazza with the heights of the ancient Roman Pincian Hill that overlooks the space from the east. The pedestrian steps leading up beside a waterfall to the Pincio park balustraded lookout that provides a passageway to the Villa Borghese gardens.

Pincio Hill in Piazza Popolo

Neptune Fountain

2. The Popolo Obelisk is the Egyptian obelisk of Sety I from Heliopolis. Three sides of the obelisk were carved during the reign of Sety I and the fourth side was carved during the riegn of Rameses II. The obelisk is also called “obelisco Flaminio” and it is the second oldest and one of the tallest obelisks in Rome. The obelisk was brought to Rome in 10 BC by order of Augustus and originally set up in the Circus Maximus. It was re-erected here in the piazza by the architect-engineer Domenico Fontana in 1589 as part of the urban plan of Sixtus V.

Popolo obelisk

At the center of the piazza is the Fontana dell’ Obelisco with a group of our mini lion fountains. Each lion is situated on a stepped plinth added around the base of the obelisk in 1818.

Popolo lion fountain

The layout of the piazza today was designed in neoclassical style between 1811 and 1822 by the architect Giuseppe Valadier when he removed a modest fountain by Giacomo Della Porta that was erected in 1572.

3. The Piazza has a lovely Fontana del Nettuno at the base of the Porta del Popolo on Pincio Hill. The Piazza Popolo Fountain of Neptune stands on the west side of the piazza and depicts Neptune with his trident accompanied by two dolphins.

Piazza Popolo Fountain of Neptune

4. Visit the symmetrical (almost) twin Baroque churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli (1681) and Santa Maria in Montesanto (1679), begun by Carlo Rainaldi and completed by Bernini and Carlo Fontana.

Roma – Piazza del Popolo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Santa Maria Montesanto

These churches define the junctions of the roads called the “trident” (il Tridente): the Via del Corso in the centre; the Via del Babuino to the left (opened in 1525 as the Via Paolina) and the Via di Ripetta (opened by Leo X in 1518 as the Via Leonina) to the right.

Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Piazza Popolo

Miracoli altar in Piazza Popolo

Piazza del Popolo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The two, almost twin, churches of S. Maria di Montesanto (left) and S. Maria dei Miracoli (right) in Piazza del Popolo were designed by Carlo Rainaldi. Gian Lorenzo Bernini provided him with advice on how to emphasize the similarity between the two churches. S. Maria di Montesanto was erected first (1678) and S. Maria dei Miracoli a few years later (1681). The columns come from the bell tower erected by Bernini for St Peter’s, a project that was eventually abandoned.

The high altar of Santa Maria dei Miracoli has the miraculous image of the Virgin which has given the church its name, “Madonna dei Miracoli” (Our Lady of Miracles). The first chapel on the right-hand side has an altar dedicated to Our Lady of Bétharram, named after a shrine near Lourdes. The church was erected by C.Rainaldi to preserve an image of the Madonna that was found on the wall close to Porta del Popolo. The church has two chapels on each side. The image of the Madonna is on the high altar surmounted by four marble angels by A.Raggi. In the presbytery, there are funeral monument to cardinal Gastaldi, who sponsored construction of the church, and his brother. The facade was later changed by G.L.Bernini and C.Fontana.

5. The Church of Santa Maria del Popolo has a simple facade. It is an Augustinian church located on the north side of the Piazza del Popolo. It occupies the site where Pope Paschal II (1099-1118) built an oratory over the tombs of the Roman Domitia family at the foot of the Pincian Hills. The church includes works by several famous artists, architects and sculptors including: Raphael, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Caravaggio, Pinturicchio, Andrea Bregno, Guillaume de Marcillat and Donato Bramante. The dome of the Chigi Chapel is decorated with Raphael’s drawings of the Creation of the World. These depict God as creator of the heavens, surrounded by symbols of the planets.

Raffaello Sanzio – Dome of the Chigi Chapel – WGA18820 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The original church was built on this site in 1099. A host of famous architects rebuilt this beautiful old church beginning in 1472; namely, A. Bregno, Pinturicchio, and B. Pontelli. Later, Bramante and Bernini made additions to it.

Santa Maria del Popolo contains one of the richest collections of art of all Rome’s churches, with the exception of St. Peter’s. It also contains two Chigi pyramid tombs embedded in the walls of the side chapels, the tomb of Cardinal Foscari, and the tomb of Cardinal Della Revere by Mino da Fiesole and A. Bregno.

Dämonenloch in der Santa Maria del Popolo, Rom English: Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome, Italy: Chigi chapel. Incrustated floor with the coats of arms of the House of Chigi hold by the Death. Italiano: Santa Maria del Popolo a Roma, Cappella Chigi. Pavimento intarsiato con lo stemma Chigi sorretto dalla Morte. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is a the kneeling skeleton mosaic on the floor in the Chigi Chapel of the 17th century. It represents the coat of arms of the House of Chigi.

Visit the gorgeous Della Revere Chapel and be sure to admire the stained-glass of 1509 by French artist Guillaume de Marcillat. Also, there is the tomb of Ascanio Sforza, who died in 1505, built by Andrea Sansovino.

Nero lived on in the imagination of the people long after the fall of the Roman Empire. In the Middle Ages, a legend arose that a walnut tree growing here on the spot where his ashes were buried was haunted by the Emperor. Ravens roosting in the tree were thought to be demons tormenting him for his hideous crimes. When the first church was built here, under Pope Paschal II’s reign, the tree was cut down, supposedly putting an end to the supernatural events that had terrified the locals for so long.

Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo

The apse was designed by Bramante. The oldest stained glass window in Rome can be found here, made by French artist Guillaume de Marcillat. Pinturicchio decorated the vault with frescoes, including the Coronation of the Virgin. The tombs of Cardinals Ascanio Sforza and Girolamo Basso della Rovere, both made by Andrea Sansovino, can also be found in the apse.

The Cerasi Chapel is one of five chapels located within the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome. The Chapel contains important paintings by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci, two of the founders of Baroque art.

Admire the two famous canvases painted by Caravaggio: “The Martyrdom and Crucifixion of St. Peter“ (St. Peter was crucified upside down) on the right side of the Chapel and ”Conversion of Saint Paul on the Way to Damascus“ on the left side of the chapel. These paintings were commissioned by Tiberio Cerasi in 1600.

Caravaggio’s Crucifixion of Saint Peter

Caravaggio’s The Conversion on the Way to Damascus

Situated between the two works of Caravaggio is the altarpiece Assumption of the Virgin by Annibale Carracci.

Santa maria del polpolo, cappella chigi 3 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Santa Maria del Popolo, cappella Chigi, in Rome, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Chigi Chapel is the most lavishly decorated. The wealthy Sienese banker Agostini Chigi commissioned Raphael to design and decorate the octagonal funerary chapel. On the altar, admire the “Nativity of the Virgin” by Sebastiano del Piombo.

Jonah and the great fish, with the head of the Farnese Antinous. Marble, drawn by Raphael and executed by Lorenzetto (1522–27), Chigi Chapel of the Church Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome. Français : Jonas et le gros poisson, avec la tête de l’Antinoüs Farnèse. Marbre, dessiné par Raphaël et exécuté par Lorenzetto (1522-1527), chapelle Chigi de l’église Santa Maria del Popolo à Rome. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the left alcove there is a statue of Johan and Elijah by Lorenzetto. The other two statues of Daniel and Habakkuk are by Bernini. The angel is telling Habakkuk to take the basket of food to the famished Daniel in the lions’ den in Babylon. Bernini also did the portraits on the Pyramidal tombs of Agostino and Sigismondo Chigi. In the inscription on the floor of “Death”, Bernini added the inscription, “Death is the way to Heaven.”

Santa maria del polpolo, cappella chigi 4 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

God the creator of the heavens is surrounded by the symbols of the planets guided by angels. Gian Lorenzo Bernini would later complete the chapel. His additions include the sculptures “Habakkuk and the Angel” (1655-1661) and “Daniel and the Lion” ((1655-1657). Bernini also created the portraits on the tombs of Agostino and Sigismondo Chigi on the sides of the chapel.

Santa Maria del Popolo (Rome) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The main altar has as image of the Virgin. Below the 13th century image of the Virgin it says: “You are the honor of our people.” There are two statues of Augustinian saints on either side of the picture of the Virgin: Nicholas of Tolentino on the left and William of Maleval on the right.

Santa maria del polpolo, pinturicchio 2 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Santa Maria del Popolo main altar

The Della Rovere Chapel has a beautiful fresco by Pinturicchio depicting the Nativity and the life of St. Jerome.

Santa maria del polpolo, pinturicchio 1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Photo of the Cybo Chapel of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Cybo Chapel has sixteen columns of Sicilian jasper with an altarpiece by Carlo Maratto, “Immaculate Conception with Saints.”

On the sides of the chapel are the twin tombs of the Cybo Cardinals; Lorenzo on the left and Alderano on the right.

At the end of your site-seeing adventure, have a Vino con Vista at the Rosati Cafe. Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides. To learn more about Rome visit www.vino-con-vista.com.

Piazza Popolo’s Rosati Cafe

My Glorious Vino Con Vista Weekend in Rome: Non Basta una Vita (vinoconvistablog.me)
Art Treasures in Trinita dei Monti in Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)
How to Decipher the Eternal City of Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)

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Filed under Ancient Rome, Bernini, Caravaggio, Churches in Rome, ebooks, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italian Food and Wine, Italian Wine, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Piazza Popolo in Rome, Roman Amphitheater, Roman Architecture, Roman Emperors, Rome, Rome History, Rome Italy, vino con vista

Tagged as Ancient Rome, Aurelian Wall, Domenico Fontana, Donato Bramante, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Girolamo Basso della Rovere, Giuseppe Valadier, Italy, Our Lady of Miracles, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Venezia, Piazzale Flaminio, Pincian Hill, Pope Alexander VII, Rome, Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto, Santa Maria del Popolo, Spanish Steps, St. Peter's Basilica

April 16, 2013 · 11:26 am

I Love Caravaggio

Caravaggio (Photo credit: Carmen Alonso Suarez)

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Sacrifice of Isaac (detail) – WGA04139 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Caravaggio, Resurrection (Photo credit: Martin Beek)

I love art and Caravaggio is one of my favorite artists. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was a famous Baroque Italian artist.

A portrait of the Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Caravaggio (1572-1610) (Michelangelo Merisi)

Michelangelo Merisi, named Caravaggio, Italian painter, was born in Caravaggio in 1571 and died in Porto Ercole in 1610. Caravaggio trained as a painter in Milan under Simone Peterzano who trained under Titan. He moved to Rome in his early twenties. He died at the age of 38 of a fever in Porto Ercole in Tuscany.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Fortune Teller – WGA04082 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

caravaggio (Photo credit: u m a m i)

Between 1592, “when Caravaggio arrived in Rome, to the end of Gregory XV Ludovisi’s pontificate in 1623 was one of the greatest artistic period’s of all time.” Many great artists converged on Rome in that period: Caravaggio, Annibale Carracci, Guido Reni and Rubens.

Rome has many of Carravaggio’s masterpieces. They are on display in churches, museums, places and former residences of nobility. Travel to Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese and the Vatican City to view his work.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Calling of Saint Matthew (detail) – WGA04117 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Caravaggio depicted his subjects with intense realism. His revolutionary use of light is a technique known as Chiaroscuro that blended shifts of light and dark. This is also called Tenebrism. Tenebrism uses dramatic illumination “where there are violent contrasts of light and dark and darkness becomes a dominating feature of the image.”

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Calling of Saint Matthew (detail) – WGA04115 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Martyrdom of St Matthew (detail) – WGA04123 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

His first public commissions in Rome were about Saint Matthew the Apostle: the Martyrdom of Saint Matthew and the Calling of Saint Matthew. These were completed between 1599-1600 for the Contarelli Chapel in the church of the French congregation, San Luigi dei Francesi in Rome.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Martyrdom of St Matthew (detail) – WGA04125 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Martyrdom of St Matthew – WGA04121 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Between these two paintings in the chapel, he also painted The Inspiration of Saint Matthew in the altar in 1602. These three adjacent canvases by Caravaggio in the Contarelli chapel represent the story from the Gospel of Matthew.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – The Inspiration of Saint Matthew – WGA04128 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Italiano: Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi, cappella Contarelli. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of my favorite Caravaggio paintings is Bacchus (the Roman god of wine). You can find Caravaggio’s Bacchus at the Uffizi Museum in Florence, Italy.

Image via Wikipedia

If you want to go on a Caravaggio Treasure Hunt in Rome you can also visit the Galleria Doria Pamphili for more paintings.

Just a short walk from Piazza Venezia in the Galleria Doria Pamphilj on Piazza del Collegio. Admire “Riposo dalla fuga in Egitto”, “Maddalena” and “San Giovanni Battista”.

[ C ] Caravaggio – Judith Beheading Holofernes (1599) (Photo credit: Cea.)

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – Martha and Mary Magdalene – WGA04101 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At Galleria Doria Pamphili on Via del Corso you can admire the “Rest on the Flight from Egypt”

Michelangelo Caravaggio 027 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rest on the Flight into Egypt (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

and “Pentilent Mary Magdalene”

Michelangelo Caravaggio 002 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. Then visit the Church of St. Augustine to see the “Madonna of the Pilgrims”

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – Madonna di Loreto – WGA04156 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Musicians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – Sick Bacchus – WGA04072 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – Medusa – WGA04108 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Borghese gallery (Piazzale Scipione Borghese, www.galleriaborghese.it/ has many pieces; the world’s greatest collection including: ”Giovane con la canestra di frutta”, “Bacchino malato”, “San Girolamo”, “Madonna dei Palafrenieri”, “Davide con la testa di Golia” and finally “San Giovannino”.

“San Francesco in meditazione” in the church of the Cappuccini Convento on Via Veneto is also attributed to Caravaggio, while the mythical “Narciso” and the “Decapitazione di Oloferne” are in the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica di Palazzo Barberini.

Other masterpieces by the great Lombard artist can be found in the Corsini Galleria on Via della Lungara (“San Giovanni Battista nel Deserto”), in the Vatican Museum (“Deposizione di Cristo”), in the church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Piazza del Popolo (“Converzione di San Paolo” and the “Crocefissione di San Pietro”); in Sant’Agostino on Via della Scrofa (“Madonna dei Pellegrini”). Finally in San Luigi dei Francesi on the piazza of the same name there is a series of paintings which tell the story of Saint Matthew in the Cappella Contarelli of the church, they are: “Vocazione”, “Il Martirio”, and “San Matteo e l’Angelo”. In the Casino Ludovisi, the last remains of the Villa Ludovisi on Via Lombardia, Caravaggio created frescos in oil on the walls of the alchemy laboratory, painting “Giove, Nettuno and Plutone” in triumph around the sun.

2010 marked the 400th anniversary of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s death. He was 39 when he died and had spent half of his life painting professionally. While Caravaggio’s passing came as no huge surprise to his contemporaries, the rest of us have been trying to flesh out his chronology ever since. See, when he painted, he painted in bursts and, usually, out of necessity. There seem to have been long intervals in between painting bursts when life, flight and threats of imprisonment and/or execution took over. Given the circumstances and doing the math, quite a few too many Caravaggio canvases have surfaced over the centuries to be credible.

To learn more about Italy read Dr. Lovero’s Travel Guides . They are available at www.vino-con-vista.com

Vatican Museums (Photo credit: ocad123)

How to Decipher the Eternal City of Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)
Art at the Pinacoteca Vaticana in the Vatican Museums (vinoconvistablog.me)
Caravaggio ‘ was killed by the Knights of Malta’ (telegraph.co.uk)
Book Review: Caravaggio – Painter of Miracles by Francine Prose (todworner.wordpress.com)

Book Review: Caravaggio – Painter of Miracles by Francine Prose (todworner.wordpress.com)

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Filed under Bacchus the Roman God of Wine, Caravaggio, ebooks, Florence, IPad, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Tuscany, Uffizi, vino con vista, Wine Festivals, World Heritage Sites

Tagged as Ancient Rome, Bacchus the Roman god of wine, Caravaggio, Caravaggio's Bacchus the God of Wine, Contarelli Chapel, Donatello, Florence, Florence attractions, Florence Travel Guides, Giotto, House of Medici, italian food, Italian wine, Italy, italy travel, Italy Travel Guides, Leonardo da Vinci, Lorenzo Medici, Michelangelo, Nicola Pisano, Palazzo Pitti, Pitti Palace, Porto Ercole, Renaissance art, Rome, Simone Peterzano, Sistine Chapel, Sistine Chapel ceiling, Tenebrism, The god of wine, Travel and Tourism, Tuscany Travel Guides, Uffizi, unesco, Vasari Corridor, Vatican Museums, vino con vista, Who is Bacchus, Who painted Bacchus, Who was vasari, World Heritage Site

April 15, 2013 · 11:27 am

San Marco is the Church of the Venetian Community in Rome

Basilica of S. Marco, the place of the election of Anacletus II. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Italiano: Roma, basilica di san Marco, controfacciata e organo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Church of San Marco in Rome was founded by Pope St. Mark in 336. This may be the site where St. Mark the Evangelist stayed when he was in Rome. St. Mark was the patron saint of Venice. It was rebuilt after a devastating fire by Hadrian (772-795). It has undergone many transformations over the years. The façade (1466) was built by to Leone Battista Alberti with marble taken from the Colosseum and the Theatre of Marcellus.

Madama Lucrezia, Piazza San Marco (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pope Paul II (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 1471, Pope Paul II Barbo made San Marco the church of the Venetian community of Rome. His crest can be seen in the gilded blue coffered ceiling. Many Venetian cardinals were buried in San Marco.

The church is located across the street from the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument. You can walk over to the Colonna Trajana and SS. Nome di Maria after you visit the church.

Interior, San Marco, Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Presbytery “San Marco papa”, San Marco, Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the 1740s, Filippo Barigioni created 20 columns with a veneer of Sicilian jasper. The colonnades on the sides of the church hide the original pillars of the nave. In the presbytery, the “Pope Saint Mark in Glory” fresco was done by Giovanni Francesco Romanelli. Beneath the altar, there is an ancient porphyry urn with the body of Pope St. Mark. In the crypt below, there is the tomb of 3rd century ROman martyrs Abdon and Sennen.

MOsaic in the absys of San Marco, Rome, showing Christ with saints: at the left of the absys, Mark evangelist; at right, Mark the pope. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I love the Byzantine apse mosaic with an oversized Christ clad in royal purple. He is standing on a footstool that bears the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. He is holding a book with the words: “I am the Light, I am the Life, I am the Resurrection”.. Ln his right, yo can see St. Mark the Evangelist and St. Felicissimus.

Italiano: Roma, basilica di san Marco, angelo della tomba del cardinale Aloisio Priuli (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The altar has Pier Francesco Mola‘s “Immaculate Conception. You can also admire his “St. Michael Overcomes Lucifer” in this church.. I love the painting by Baccio Ciarpi, “St. Dominic Restores a Child to Life.” There are some beautiful Baroque monuments: Cardinal Marcantonio Bragadin and the monument to Cardinal Cristoforo Vidman. Visit the the tomb of Leonardo Pesaro (1796) by Antonio Canova.

Take time to admire the interesing artifacts in the Portico. I love the lions!

Trevi – san Marco vera di pozzo nel portico 00053 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Trevi – s Marco portico 1000120 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ambo; Church San Marco in Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Italiano: Vista frontale della statua (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Madama Lucrezia is one of the “talking statues” of Rome and is located next to the entrance of the basilica. It was once the bust of a statue of the goddess Isis.

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

Venice is the “Mistress of the Sea”: A UNESCO Site in Italy (vinoconvistablog.me)
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Insights into the Vatican in Italy: UNESCO’s Holy City (vinoconvistablog.me)
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Filed under San Marco is the Venetian Church in Rome, Uncategorized

Tagged as Baccio Ciarpi, Basilica of St. John Lateran, Caravaggio, Filippo Barigioni, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Italy, Mark the Evangelist, Pier Francesco Mola, Pope, Pope Mark, Pope Symmachus, Rome, San Marco, San Marco is the Venetian Church in Rome, St. Peter's Basilica, Venice

April 13, 2013 · 11:49 am

Santa Maria in Traspontina sits on the site of an Ancient Pyramid in Rome

Image via Wikipedia

I love this delightful church! Santa Maria in Traspontina is located on via della Conciliazione near Saint Peter’s Basilica.

This Carmelite church sits on the site of an ancient Roman pyramid. The travertine exterior was recycled from the Colosseum. Over the entrance, there is an 18th century Madonna.

Galego: Castel Sant´Angelo – Roma (Mausoleo de Adriano) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Image via Wikipedia

Pope Alexander VI demolished an ancient Roman pyramid on the same site (the Meta Romuli). The original church was built by Hadrian.

In the Middle Ages, this site was believed to have been the Tomb of Romulus. This event is portrayed on the bronze entrance doors to St Peter’s Basilica and also in a Giotto triptych in the Vatican Museums.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

This church was built in 1566 as a replacement for an earlier church that was completely destroyed by cannon fire at Castel Sant’Angelo during the Sack of Rome (1527). The earlier church was demolished during the pontificate of Pius IV (1559-1565) to clear the line of fire for the cannons of the Castel Sant’ Angelo.

Sack of Rome of 1527 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Bridge of Angels near Castel Sant’ Angelo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the only church in Rome whose cupola is without a drum. The reason for this was to not obstruct the gunners of Castel Saint Angelo during a crisis so the artillery could exercise shooting on the Gianicolo Hill.

Image via Wikipedia

On the third chapel on the left, observe the two columns that are considered to be the columns that St. Peter and St. Paul were bound to before their their martyrdom in the circus of Nero. The third chapel has a “Flagellazion of Saints Peter and Paul” by Ricci.

English: Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The main altar by Carlo Fontana, has 8 slender red marble columns and a baldachin over the venerated Carmelite image of the Virgin.

Image by jovike via Flickr

Santa Maria in Traspontina (or Transpontina) is a Carmelite church in Rome, Italy. The main altar (1674) was designed by Carlo Fontana. The statues around the altar are by Alessandro Rondoni, Giacomo Antonio Lavaggi, Vincenzo Felici, and Michel Maille.

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

Spend a Glorious Vino Con Vista Weekend in Rome: Non Basta una Vita (vinoconvistablog.me)
Buon Natale: The Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception in Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)
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From Rome, With Love – A City Holidays Were Made For (vino-con-vista.blogspot.com)
Vandal causes “serious damage” to Santa Maria Maggiore basilica in Rome (upi.com)
Vandal damages Santa Maria Maggiore church in Rome (vino-con-vista.us)

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Filed under Churches in Rome, Santa Maria in Transpontina in Rome

Tagged as Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Basilica of St. John Lateran, Caravaggio, Castel Sant'Angelo, Francesco Peparelli, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Giovanni Sallustio Peruzzi, Italy, Peter, Roman, Rome, Sack of Rome, Santa Maria in Traspontina, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museum

· 8:53 am

Get a Bologna Welcome Card in Italy

Palazzo dei notai in Piazza Maggiore a Bologna, Italia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Palazzo dei Notai, Bologna, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

La Pietâ (by Niccolò dell’ Arca); (upper part of the) Ark of Saint Dominic, Basilica of Saint Dominic, Bologna, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

La facciata di San Petronio e il Palazzo dei notai in Piazza Maggiore a Bologna. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Bologna Welcome Card is available for 48 hours (€20). The card gives you free access to the city’s museums and facilities, a tourist map with an itineraries and places of interest, free WiFi in the city, two tickets for the BLQ shuttle bus or one 24-hour pass for public transport. There are discounts and special offers for clubs, shops, restaurants, health clubs and leisure activities. It is available at all tourist offices.

Bologne (Italie), les deux tours (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

San Petronio, Piazza Maggiore and Palazzo d’Accursio, photo taken from the top of the Two Towers, Bologna, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Visit these sites in Bologna:

Walk under the unique covered arcades, Portici, for a total of 38 km. The portici are currently nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

English: Piazza Maggiore, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. South side of square, featuring from left to right: Palazzo dei Banchi, San Petronio Basilica, Palazzo dei Notai, Palazzo d’Accursio (now the Town Hall). Français : Piazza Maggiore, Bologne, Émilie-Romagne, Italie. Côté sud de la place, bordé de gauche à droite par: le Palazzo dei Banchi, la Basilique San Petronio, le Palazzo dei Notai, le Palazzo d’Accursio (aujourd’hui la mairie). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Italiano: Collage di varie foto di Bologna (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The facade of Palazzo del Podestà palace in Piazza Maggiore square in Bologna, Italy. It was projected by Aristotile Fioravanti in 1453. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Check out Piazza Maggiore in the center of town.

Palazzo D’Accursio/Palazzo Comunale, Piazza Maggiore 6, ☎ +39 051 203111. Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. A 14th-century palace. There is an enormous main staircase designed to be used by horse drawn carriages. This is the home of the Municipal Art Collection and the Museo Morandi.

Basilica di San Petronio, Bologna, Italia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This large pedestrian square is surrounded by the Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo d’Accursio, the portico dei Banchi and the Palazzo del Podestà. The Basilica of San Petronio, Piazza Maggiore, ☎ +39 051 231415. Daily 8AM-12:30PM & 3PM-6PM.

San Petronio Basilica (Photo credit: Ben Rimmer)

The “Duomo” of Bologna is the 15th largest church in the world by volume. The Basilica houses various treasures including: the sundial by Cassini and Guglielmini, which indicates the exact period of the current year at all times; the “San Rocco” by Parmigianino and the marvelous Bolognini Chapel. There is also a museum to the left nave of the basilica where bas-reliefs are on display.

English: Interior of the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Fountain of Neptune, by Jean de Boulogne, in “Piazza Maggiore” square at Bologna, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Next to Piazza Maggiore is Piazza del Nettuno, which contains the Fontana di Nettuno, a fountain built in 1563 by Tommaso Laureti of Palermo and later embellished by Jean de Boulogne (Giambologna). It is considered to be one of Bologna’s symbols.

The Fountain of Neptune, by Jean de Boulogne, in “Piazza Maggiore” square at Bologna, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Got to Via Rizzoli. This is one of the main streets of Bologna. It opens up to Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, where the two famous towers rise.
Torre degli Asinelli and Torre dei Garisenda (The Two Towers), Piazza di Porta Ravegnana. 9AM-6PM. The main symbols of Bologna, built in the 12th century. Torre degli Asinelli is 97.20 metres tall (330 feet), with 498 steps and an incline of 1.3 meters (4 feet). Torre dei Garisenda (closed to the public) is 47 metres (162 feet) tall and has a lean of over 3 metres (10 feet). €3 to climb Torre degli Asinelli.
Bologna-Porta Ravegnana (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Check out Corte de’ Galluzzi through a vault from Piazza Galvani, in front of the Archiginnasio.

Go to the University Quarter on Via Zamboni where you will find plenty of bars and cafés. The University of Bologna is the oldest university in the world. It was founded in 1088.
Tour the Orto Botanico (Botanical Gardens), Via Irnerio 42. M-F 8:30AM-3:30PM, Sa 8:30AM-1PM. Created in the mid-16th century for medicinal herbs. The Botanical Gardens are home to over 5,000 plant species. Admission is Free.
Go to Certosa di Bologna on Via della Certosa 18. Daily 7AM-6PM. This is Bologna’s main cemetery with beautifully carved tombstones, built over the ruins of an ancient Etrusan necropolis.

Bologna was a city of canals much like Venice. Today most of the canals are underground but in Via Piella you can still see “il canale delle Moline” through a small charming window or “finestrella”.

Visit these churches and architectural wonders in Bologna:

Tombe dei Glossatori, Piazza San Domenico e Piazza Malpighi. Named for the lawyers who used to add glosses (notes) to documents. The tombs, which date from the end of the 13th century, are monumental arches covered with shrines, supported by columns decorated with enamelled tiles, within which are the remains of many of Bologna’s famous scholars.
Basilica di Santo Stefano, Piazza Santo Stefano. “Sette Chiese” The so called Seven Churches, a complex of connected chapels with the 2 earliest religious edifices in Bologna, the Holy Sepulchre from the 5th century and the Holy Crucifix from the 8th century. One of the most famous sights of the city.
Santuario della Madonna di San Luca (San Luca’s Basilica), Colle della Guardia. Completed in 1765 there is a fabulous “Vino con Vista: panoramic view of the City. Walk along the 666 arches of its unique portico. This is where you will find the “Madonna di San Luca”.

: Shrine of Saint Dominic, Basilica of Saint Dominic, Bologna, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Basilica of San Domenico, Piazza San Dominico 13, ☎ +39 051 6400411. Houses the remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) inside the shrine Arca di San Domenico, made by Nicola Pisano and his workshop, Arnolfo di Cambio and with later additions by Niccolò dell’Arca and the young Michelangelo.

The church’s small museum houses many important works of art and a wide collection of precious reliquaries and chalices.

Santa Maria della Vita, Via Clavature 8-10, ☎ +39 051 236245. Museum & Oratory: Tu-Su 10AM-12PM & 3PM-7PM; Sanctuary: M-Saturday 7:30AM-7PM Sunday & holidays 4:30PM-7:30PM.
Bologna italy duomo from Asinelli (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The cupola was designed by Bibiena and is the most important example of Baroque architecture in Bologna. Includes the Sanctuary which houses the largest collection of terracotta sculptures of the Italian Renaissance, the masterpiece Compianto sul Cristo Morto “The Lamentation” by Niccolò dell’Arca; the Oratorio dei Battuti, which houses the Transito della Vergine by Alfonso Lombardi, and the Museum of Health, situated in the old Santa Maria Della Vita hospital.