Few words on the Romanesque

Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio

In Italy the lively Romanesque, nourished on classical roots, gave a cool welcome to the French Gothic style. It willingly adopted certain structural elements, such as the pointed arch and clustered columns carrying rib vaults, thus favouring the "upward thrust" corresponding to the medieval spiritual quest; but it set heavy limits on the style's symbolic verticals, and avoided those staggering ornamentations which reduced the mystic ogival manner to the trivialities of flamboyant Gothic in countries beyond the Alps. 

The fusion of Gothic and Romanesque, moreover, happened in different ways in various Italian regions, according to the spirit of local cultures.

An outstanding example of this period is the huge stone mass of the Palazzo della Signoria, or Palazzo Vecchio in Florence (1298-1314), attributed to Arnolfo di Cambio. 

Italian National Holidays

Bernini, Apollo and Daphne,
Galleria Borghese, Rome

These are the Italian National Holidays:

• January 1st, New Year’s Day

• January 6th, Epiphany

• Easter Sunday

• Easter Monday

• April 25th, Anniversary of Italy’s liberation

• May 1st, Labor Day

• June 2nd, Anniversary of the institution of the Republic

• August 15th (Ferragosto), Assumption

• November 1st, All Saints

• December 8th, Annunciazione

• December 25th, Christmas

• December 26th, St Stefano.

Furthermore each city celebrates their own saint/s, as for example, Rome celebrates Saints Peter and Paul on 29th June, while Milan celebrates Saint Ambrogio on 7th December.

The Oratory of Gonfalone: a secret place in Rome

Just off the beaten track of the touristy Rome is the Oratory of Gonfalone, one of the many secret places of the eternal city, today used for music concert .

This place is informally called the "Sistine Chapel of the Mannerism". In fact, the entire walls are decorated with a frescoes cycle representing the 'Passion of Christ' by leading artists of the Roam Mannerism, including Federico Zuccari, who was the only one who dated his fresco.

Federico Zuccari

The Flagellation (1573) 

The cycle is divided into twelve episodes, starting with the Entry into Jerusalem, to carry one with the different episodes of the Passion of Christ, to finally end up with the Resurrection. The scenes are framed by an architectural framework formed by twisted columns, which, according to an ancient legend, came from the Temple of Solomon. 

The decoration itself was conducted between 1569 and 1576, when Alessandro Farnese was the Cardinal protector of the oratory. Started under the direction of Jacopo Zanguidi, nicknamed Bertoja, the decoration was executed by several artists, including Federico Zuccari, who executed the theatrical Flagellation in 1573. 

The story takes place from the bottom of the right wall at the bottom of the left wall, according to a path from right to left, which corresponds to the natural movement of the reading.

Entry into Jerusalem by Bertoja

It follows on the same wall ....

Last Supper by Livio Agresti from Forli

The next panel is the...

Agony in the Garden by Domenico da Modena

Domenico da Modena could be perhaps identified with Domenico Carnevali, who was the first restorer of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, immediately after the death of Michelangelo.

It follows the Capture of Christ by Marcantonio dal Forno and then the last panel of this wall...

Christ in front of Caiaphas by Raffaellino Motta

The cycle proceeds with the Flagellation by Federico Zuccari, dated 1573 and surmounted by a prophet and a Sybil  always of Zuccari, flanked by the allegorical figure of the Charity. From the panel of Zuccari the point of view of the frescoes changes, according to an idea probably elaborated by Marco Pino da Siena (di sotto in su').

Flagellation by Federico Zuccari and Crowning of thorns by Cesare Nebbia

The work proceeds on the new wall with the execution of the Ecce Homo by Caesar Nebbia and the Slope of the Calvary by Livio Agresti. Then it's the turn of the Resurrection, the most damaged artwork. 

Resurrection by Guidonio Guelfi(??)

The last two panels are...

The Deposition of the Cross, perhaps work of a follower of Daniel da Volterra, identifiable as Giacomo Rocca.

 Resurrection of Christ by Marco Pino, most probably dated to 1572.

                                  

The Oratory was restored between 1999 and 2000 and my dad was involved in this operation and my thesis was based on this, so I would recommend a visit there if you go to Rome!

NOTE: All these photos were taken while I was studying and some of them were used for my presentation.

Learning the Italian alphabet

The Italian alphabet (l'alfabeto) contains 21 letters:

Musei Capitolini, Rome 

Letters / Names of the letters
a  a
b  bi
c  ci
d  di
e  e
f  effe
g  gi
h  acca
i  i
l  elle
m  emme
n  enne
o  o
p  pi
q  cu
r  erre
s  esse
t  ti
u  u
v  vu
z  zeta

The following five letters are found in foreign words:

Letters / Names of the letters

j  i lungo
k  kappa
w  doppia vu
x  ics
y  ipsilon

Learning the Basics

If you're pressed for time, focus on the fundamentals. Study the Italian ABC's and Italian numbers, learn how to pronounce Italian words and try to ask questions in Italian

However, the quickest and most effective way to learn Italian is the total immersion method. So, I would suggest to follow one of my courses and then travel to Italy with me.

Isn't this a good idea? 

Why should you learn Italian?

You’re planning a trip to Italy...and you think you can go without knowing the language ..... it will be fun but a bit harder....

You’re married to an Italian or someone with an Italian background...like my husband...you need to learn the language... 

Palazzo Colonna, Rome 

You have an Italian background yourself ....well you want to go to Italy...learn the language!!!!

You know that learning Italian unlocks the door to Italy's cultural "ricchezze": the food, the fashion, the movies, the music, the art.... 

Praiano, South of Italy

You work or do business in Italy or with Italians...you need a mental challenge...

....and then make new friends!!!

NO MUCH TIME....Be quick and get in touch!

Italian classes, tours and much more....

Simona

Let's practise Italian....at the market

At the market
Italian Cultural Experience

Can you ‪#‎translate‬ this?

Al mercato ‪#‎AtTheMarket‬

A- ‪#‎Buongiorno‬ signora. Posso aiutarla?
B- Buongiorno. Vorrei un chilo di ‪#‎pomodori‬ e due ‪#‎carciofi‬.
A- Subito. Serve altro? Guardi che belle ‪#‎zucchine‬ e finocchi che ci sono.
B- No. Basta così. Quanto le devo?
A- Sono 7 euro.
B- Ecco a lei.
A- ‪#‎Grazie‬, il suo resto.
B- Grazie. ‪#‎Arrivederci‬.
A- Arrivederci.

Let's learn and speak ‪#‎Italian‬ with ‪#‎ItalianCulturalExperience‬‪#‎SmallGroupClasses‬ ‪
#‎Brisbane‬ ‪#‎SpeakItalian‬ ‪#‎LoveItalian‬‪#‎ItalianforAdults‬

Do you want to know more?

Just get in touch!!!

The benefits of being bilingual.....so learn Italian!!!!

Some reasons why children should be bilingual....

Young Italian student 

• Has a positive effect on intellectual growth.
• Enriches and enhances a child's mental development. Languages can be seen as a 'useful support' for other curriculum areas (for example: for improved cognitive flexibility, for supporting and enhancing literacy in English and other academic areas.
• Leave students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening.
• Improves a child's understanding for hi/her native language.
• Gives a child the ability to communicate with people he/she would otherwise not have the chance to know.
• Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child to understand and appreciate people from other countries.
• Gives a student a head start in language requirements for high school/university.
• Increases job opportunities in many career where knowing another language is a real asset.

Italian animals @ Italian Cultural Experience