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.

Caravaggio and Bernini: a painter and a sculptor

Caravaggio and Bernini: a painter and a sculptor
Around the beginning of the 17th century a revolution in art occurred, both in painting and sculpture. It was driven by two Italian artists, Gianlorenzo Bernini, a sculptor, and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, a painter of outstanding and subtle skill.

These talented artists are linked together not in the famous Renaissance period of European art, but in the later 17th century Baroque period. Bernini and Caravaggio's art focuses on the drama and the centrality of the human body rather than the human experience.  

In this stimulating presentation, art historian Simona Albanese analyses the key works of these two artists who from that period onwards dramatically changed the way  we look at art.

Travelling to the beautiful Amalfi Coast

There is so much to see in Italy! The Amalfi Coast is one of these magic places. 

Here a small anticipation of what you can see or memories of all the activity that goes in the villages of the Amalfi Coast.

Discovering the AMALFI COAST

Are you ready for your next Italian Cultural Experience? 

The tour will be limited to 8 people! 

Amalfi Coast

New Tours will be on next year !!! I'm away in October to do some more research... more info coming soon!!!

The Gran Tour : for some but not for all!

Galleria of Roma Antica

Do you like to travel? Have you ever been in Italy? Do you like to go and see wonderful places without stress and rush? 

Come with me and have fun!!!!

I'm going soon!!! More details for next tours coming soon!

Ciao,

Simona

Your connection to Italy

Immerse Yourself: Have an Italian Cultural Experience in Italy - Study trip

The best way to learn and progress in any language is to spend some time in the country where the language is spoken....so what are you expecting...let's pack and go to Italy!

The destination are chosen carefully through Italy! So why not enjoy morning classes, leisure activities and cultural excursions ...plus cooking classes, shopping trips, dinners and free time...

Do you like the idea?

More info coming soon!

Discovering villas: Villa Ada Savoia

Through their historic and typological features Roman villas have without doubts represented the maybe liveliest expression of society development. They are the most direct demonstrations of the passage from Feudalism to patronage, but more than anything expression of the policy of the Church and of the Popes who represent it.

Having their routes in the old Roman villas, generally built fuori porta (without the walls), more modern villas have lost completely their fashion during the Medieval period. In fact they were no more than a real little fort, surrounded by garden of green area. It is only during the XIV century that extra urban villas timidly reappeared  and partly spread in the surrounding of Florence, in the South of Italy and in Naples and surrounding.

Today in Rome there are astonishing examples of villas, once property of noble families, today galleries, museums and public parks.

Villa Ada Savoia is presently one of the largest parks in Rome as an arrangement of the XVIII century. The villa, as well as the surrounding land was used as a leisure and official guest place. The Pallavicinis had bought the largest part and had built there the first core of the villa, which had around a casino, landscape gardens, an artificial lake and other similar elements. The villa was later sold to the Potenzianis and then was bought by Victor Emmanuel II in 1871. He added several surrounded areas and ordered the German gardener Richter and the architect Pretagna to embellish the villa, transforming the place into a Royal Villa.

Villa Savoia

When Victor Emmanuel II died in 1878 part of the house was sold, until when was purchased by Victor Emmanuel III and declared 1919 official residence of the royal family. After the proclamation of the Repubblic in 1946, the villa became derelict and only after a long dispute it was divided between the State property and the Savoia heirs.

Recently the villa has been restored and it has passed under the Municipality of Rome. Considered one of the fundamental lungs of the eternal city, this place is a place of rest and trips, especially for the children who can run easily around.

The entrances to the park are on Via Salaria, Via del Ponte Salario, Via di Monte Antenne and Via Panama.

Next time you are on holiday and you have children, or you want to do something different, explore this immense park!

A presto!

ZUPPA DI CAVOLFIORE (CAULIFLOWER SOUP)

Cauliflower is a vegetable typical of the winter season, which is likely to be prepared in many ways and is ideal for making delicious soups. The ZUPPA DI CAVOLFIORE is a rustic dish prepared with simple ingredients which give a special flavour to the preparation. 

The cauliflower soup is a delicious first course, light and nutritious, quick and easy to prepare, especially if it served hot with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 

The white cauliflower comes from the Marche region, from where this recipe comes from.

The process is very easy! 

Just start blending together a quarter of an onion, half a carrot and a piece of celery

blending 

Then chop a cauliflower and two small potatoes.

cauliflower

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, the carrot and the celery and cook, stirring, for 5-6 minutes or until soft. Then add the cauliflower, potato, stock and water. Cover and bring to the boil. 

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for 20 minutes or until the cauliflower and the potatoes are tender. 

cooking the soup

Leave the soup to rest aside for a short time and then blend until smooth. Add some cream and season with some salt and cheese. 

blend the soup

Ladle soup among serving bowls and drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil. Season with some extra cheese and serve with some fresh bread.

cauliflower soup

ENJOY! 

Italian Celebration Day

Every year the Italian language is celebrated in all the world during the Settimana della Lingua Italiana nel Mondo (Italian week in the world) by all those people who have an Italian background, speak Italian and live overseas or love the Italian language and culture.

To commemorate the event today we have decided to organise an Italian Celebration Day in Ruma 2 at Richmond Road School in Ponsonby with a pizza, Italian songs and words.

Early in the morning the teacher, Miss Nina, has set up the table for the class, so as soon as the bell rang we have started our adventure. First of all, we have sung a classic Italian lyric:

Ciao buon giorno

Ciao buon giorno

Come stai?

Come stai?

Molto, molto bene!

Molto, molto bene!

Grazie a te

Grazie a te

Good Morning!

Good Morning!

How are you?

How are you?

Very well thank you.

Very well thank you.

How about you?

How about you?

...and then, after talking about the pizza and the ingredients (in Italian and in English) we have all taken turns rolling the dough....

Lorenzo and some friends

Elliott and her friends

Some more rolling

  ....then we have waited for the pizza setting the plates on the tables and making funny jokes !!!

Lorenzo and Leo are waiting for the pizza to be cooked

  ...and finally, when all the pizza was gone, I have taken a photo of all the class!

Ruma 2 at the end of our adventure

 ....some of the girls have made pictures for me!

     

Believe me the children had lots of fun! 

A presto!

The beautiful and crazy Capri

Capri, the famous island of the stars and the rich people during the '60, is a beautiful and interesting place to visit with friends or family.

the island with lots of traffic, beautiful sites and much more...

The wonderful view from one of the panoramic point

A spot from Anacapri

a narrower street for pedestrian ...

More vegetation

the other islands

a view from the top 

Photos by Simona Albanese

Capri has lots to offer.....

Enjoy your experience!