Layered History in Scrovengni Chapel When Giotto di Bondone began his work inside the Arena Chapel, he had a great deal more than fresco design on his mind — ruthless money lenders. The commission came to Giotto from the Scrovegni family, and the chapel equally bears the names Scrovegni Chapel and Arena Chapel. Scrovegni [...]
A universal truth holds that tourists who first come to Italy, and sometimes those who repeat visits to the country, think only of Venice when they consider a visit to the province of Veneto. However, visitors can find other beautiful and far less crowded cities throughout Veneto. Vicenza is “The Jewel” of the province. Some [...]
The following is a guest post by Michael Talbot (University of Liverpool, Department of Music, Emeritus): Regular Dresden-watchers will be aware of the ambitious project “Die Notenbestände der Dresdner Hofkirche und der Königlichen Privat-Musikaliensammlung aus der Zeit der sächsisch-polnischen Union” supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), which was brought to a successful conclusion in 2016. [...]
Our small group tours of Veneto, Venice, and Tuscany provides guests with unforgettable encounters with the rich culture of these unique regions of Italy.
If you are planning on a trip to Italy, this is the season to read up on numerous great books about the culture, history and la vita Italiano. Florence: The reference I most strongly recommend is Christopher Hibbert's definitive The House of Medici-Its Rise and Fall. Hibbert deftly guides the reader through the intricacies of [...]
For many years, this island in the Venetian Lagoon, not far from the Lido, was a secret of the city. Slowly, the word is reaching the world about a living treasure of enormous intellectual and spiritual importance; San Lazzaro degli Armeni. Bookmarked by two Mocenigo family members who became Doges, Giovanni Il Cornaro was Doge [...]
May 2017 marks the start of FEST300, the Biennale International Exhibitions in Venice. For those who love contemporary culture, this is a must! The location of the main exhibit spaces are the Giardini and Arsenal areas of the city. Both are located close together for ease of access. Map of the primary locations for [...]
It is a sad fact that many of the small independent bookstores in Italy have closed: Panton's and the Melting Pot in Milan are closed or are closing as I post this blog. The English Book Vaults in Catania has closed, as well. Larger stores, carrying more options, e-books and the ever dwindling number of [...]
Libreria Aqua Alta Entrance Down one of the more typical walkways of Venice, in the heart of the Castello Sestieri (neighborhood), and in the shadow of the gorgeous Cathedral of San Giovanni e Paolo, is an unexpected treasure of Venice, the Bookstore of High Water (Libreria Aqua Alta). Please refer to the map [...]
From the first rays of rising sun which strike the bell tower on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore to the sunset shadows in St. Mark's Square, Venice is light itself and a photographers dream.