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.

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? 

ITALIAN CONVERSATION in New Farm

Do you like to speak Italian? Do you want to practise and extend your comprehension?

I offer Italian Conversation classes to individual and to groups, so just give me a call and we arrange something!!

You come with a pen and a notebook and I organise the learning material and the coffee!!

Be quick!! 

Umbria: a region full of surprises and legends

Map of Umbria

Umbria is one of the smallest and the only landlocked Italian regions between Lazio, Tuscany and Abruzzo.

The region beauty lies in the bond that Umbrians have always had with their rich and glorious past: museums, castles and fortresses, modern and contemporary art, artistic and historical events wait for you in Umbria.

The small cities, fortresses and castles are perfectly integrated within the landscape and the countryside,  leaving an extraordinary heritage.

Castle of Alviano

One of the most beautiful example is the Castle of Alviano, guardian of the Tiber valley. Built in the late 15th century by the condottiere Bartolomeo d’Alviano, it has maintained its majesty over the centuries. 

Rocca di Assisi

The Rocca di Assisi, destroyed in 1198, was rebuilt in the 14th century, and then underwent further modifications, without losing its austere appearance. After  the recent restoration, the Rocca has been opened to the publics hosting cultural and artistic events.

View of Spoleto with the Rocca

The huge complex of the Rocca Albornoziana, with the park that extends around it, characterises the city of Spoleto. 

Lake Trasimeno

Lake Trasimeno is the biggest lake in the central of Italy. It features the monumental Rocca del Leone that dominates Castiglione del Lago, the Rocca on Isola Polvese, and the Castle of the Knights of Malta at Magione.

Santuario della Madonna di Belvedere

Città di Castello is protected by Castello Bufalini, transformed in the 16th century into a refined noble residence decorated with paintings (including a Madonna by Pinturicchio). 

Umbertide's Rocca

At Umbertide rises the magnificent Rocca, the emblem of the city and now a lively cultural centre. 

Valnerina

The Valnerina covers the south-eastern area of Umbria, proclaimed by Unesco a World Heritage site. This area is another beautiful place to visit. 

Umbria is a beautiful place to discover and enjoy, an alternative place where to go for holiday next time you visit Italy!!! Come with me next year!!

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!

Back from holiday : new Italian classes in Term 1, 2015

Happy New Year everyone! 

Did you have a nice break?

Christmas is so far now! Just returned from overseas .....it was so cold but so lovely to see family and friends!!! 

Florence, 2014

 Is Italy your destination this year?

Italy, 2014

New Italian classes are starting next week at New Farm State School - Term 1, 2015.

Classes are offered on Monday and Tuesday evening between 6.30pm and 9pm.

Monday
Italian beginner/traveller
Italian Conversation

Tuesday
Italian Intermediate
Italian Advanced


To enrol in class contact Nancy at nfsscommunityed@live.com.au

A presto!

Simona 
Your connection to Italy

Loving chocolate....

No many weeks to Christmas....you can find chocolate in many shapes and forms !!!

Here an example of what I have bought last year during the holiday.....

I look forward to enjoy some more chocolate soon!

Santa Claus or Babbo Natale!!

Chocolate nativity

Tell me how you dress and I will tell you who you are....

Shorts, thongs....  Clothes represent personality and social status in Italy so people wear nice clothing almost all the time.

Italians seeing you for the first time will judge you by your appearance, and will respond accordingly. So if you dress or look like a tourist, you will be treated like one. For this reason when you go to Italy try to blend in, wear nice clothes and have fun!!

In this way you will also avoid attracting the wrong people!!

When in Rome … drink coffee as the Romans do...including myself!!!

One thing that often perplexes Australians visiting Italy is the coffee and the whole cafe experience. Italians have some very strong rituals and norms when it comes to coffee but it’s not that hard to make your way around the cafe experience like a local if you know the basics.

This is me enjoying a coffee in New Farm

                                      

While here in Australia for me drinking coffee has become a social experience, as it is for many other people, in Italy this action is seen more of a transaction, a necessity of daily life, though an enjoyable necessity to be savoured several times during the day. 

This explains why coffee is mostly drunk al bar. It’s quick and easy to stop and order a coffee on the way to work, or during the late morning or even in the afternoon. Coffee is generally ordered at the counter to the barista after you have paid at the cashier and handed over your docket. However, if you want to try this experience in the early morning, don't be surprised if you are surrounded by many other people, who are rushing around with their busy lives. 

Anyway, if you think this is too much for you, just sit at the table and wait to be served, however expect to pay a higher price for the table service.

Different types of coffees are also drunk during the day. You would never see an Italian drinking cappuccino after a meal or after 10.30am, so next time you are in Italy don't forget this! DON'T ORDER A LATTE OR A CAPPUCCINO AFTER A MEAL. They will look at you in a funny way!!!

If you can't really drink just black coffee, order a macchiato, an espresso with a dash of milk or even better, a caffe' corretto, an espresso with a nip of Sambuca or Grappa (after dinner).

After saying that...just go and have fun!

Join me in my tours and drink coffee with me in the morning before we head off somewhere around Italy! 

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!

Trastevere: the Festa de' Noantri

Every year Trastevere celebrate the Festa de' Noantri (our festival), a traditional festivity for the people of the rione. The celebration takes place on the second half of July. As a kid, I remember Trastevere all embellished and with many stalls along Viale Trastevere, and a big marry-go-round on Piazza Mastai.

Today the celebration is limited, nevertheless during this time, Trastevere, which is one of the most characteristic and still colourful ancient district across the Tiber River from the main historic center of Rome, became a destination for many tourists and for the locals.

Originally the Festa began in 1927. Even so, its routes can be back dated to 1535, when a fisherman caught in his nets a statue of the Virgin Mary in the Tiber. After the event the statue, nicknamed Madonna Fiumarola (of the river) was donated to the Carmelite nuns of San Crisogono (in Piazza Sonnino) in Trastavere and became the patron saint of the district.

Today the statue is in the Church of St Agatha, in Largo San Giovanni de Matha, in Trastevere. Replaced during the XXth century by another statue, which will takes bride of place during this festivity, the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is taken around and followed by believers and curious on the Saturday following July 16th.

This year the Madonna will be carried with great pageantry from Saint Agatha to the church of San Crisogono in Trastevere, where it stays just over a week, before being carried back to Saint Agatha's.

On the last night Trastevere has big fire works, therefore if you are in the area during this period don't miss the occasion!

A presto!

Is that Dante?

The Museo of Bargello in Florence is one of those museums less visited by tourists! It has an extensive sculpture collection, including some of the best work by Donatello, Verrocchio, Michelangelo, Cellini and Giambologna. It has a collection of Renaissance medals on the second floor, which includes some wonderful work by Pisanello, a charming collection of Medieval household implements such as combs, hair pins, mirrors and ivory caskets in the so-called Sala degli Avori, or Ivory Room.

This building itself was the official residence of the Captain of the People, later the Podesta` of Medieval Florence, but also as a prison where many convicts awaiting execution would spend their last days. 

In this museum there is a room on the first floor, the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, the place where the convicts would spend their final hours before beginning their journey to the scaffold. Vasari informs us that Giotto (1267-1337), a famous Italian painter, acclaimed for the cycle of Saint Francis in Assisi and for the Arena Chapel in Padua, painted on the altar wall of the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene a portrait of his friend Dante Alighieri, the writer of the Divine Comedy. 

Portrait of Dante, 1337
Fresco, Florence

In 1839 a group of Italian art-lovers, having read this same passage in Vasari's Lives of the Artists, applied for permission to search for the portrait underneath the coat of whitewash that had meanwhile been applied to the walls. They uncovered a largely ruined cycle of frescoes depicting, amongst other subjects, Hell and Paradise. Below the figure of Christ they found the group described by Vasari complete with Giottos's portrait of Dante. 

Unfortunately, the face of the supposed poet was badly damaged. Dante's characteristic profile was quickly returned to him by simple and pragmatic exigency of a restoration policy of the time.

Therefore today its authenticity is more than dubious! 

You know the best thing to do it is just to go and check with your own eyes next time in Florence!!!

A presto!

Biennale di Ferrara

The International Biennale of Ferrara is a cultural initiative organised by the Associazione Culturale Ferrara Pro Art in collaboration with public and private institutions.

The event offers its stage to emerging talents, established names alongside some of the cultural-artistic scene. The program provides a large space dedicated to visual arts and contemporary events, such as music, performances, guided tours to the city and much more.

The Biennale will run until December and it will involve many historic sites of the city of Ferrara, which is a place full of art and history.

Some of the instalment will be in the Castello Estense, the real fortress of the city centre. Erected in 1385 for Nicolo' d'Este to protect him and his family against external attacks, it was commissioned to the court architect Bartolino Novara. The new building was leaning against the old Tower of the Lions, incorporated in the new building, which was thus provided with four corner towers, joined together by restrained walls. For several decades, the castle was used as a military fortress, until when, since 1450, was gradually transformed into a stately home and lots of space was occupied by the court, which was embellished with frescoes and decorations. In short, the castle lost the stark appearance of the fortress to become a beautiful place with courtyards, decorated with turrets, balconies and sumptuous apartments.  Today the Castle houses the Provincial administration and the Prefecture of Ferrara. 

Even the Chiostro of Sant'Anna recently restored, will be used for this event. In the past this place was used as the old city hospital. In later centuries the complex was expanded to occupy much of the block to the north-east of the Castello Estense. The cloister is famous for the fact that the poet Torquato Tasso was imprisoned there for years for alleged insanity.

Many other places will be utilised during the next few months for the Biennale, therefore if you want to see something different, stop over in Ferrara for the day!

A presto!

Escaping to Mantua

Mantua overview

Sometime planning a holiday it is a hard work, especially if you are not sure where to go and for how long. Italy has so much to offer, so here a possible alternative....Mantua. This is a small city, located in the south east of Lombardy, one of the Italian regions. This centre is perfect for a week-end away from the confusion or for an overnight stop during your Italian trip. 

Mantua was ruled until 1707 by the Gonzaga family, who were some of the most important patrons of Renaissance art. In fact, during their regency they cultivated a court which included some of the most illustrious artists and intellectuals of the time, such as Andrea Mantegna, the court painter between 1460 and 1506. The main commission he received from Ludovico Gonzaga was the decoration of an historiated portrait gallery for the Ducal Palace or Palazzo Ducale. The so-called Camera Picta (1465–74) or Camera degli Sposi, shows the Marchese and his consort, Barbara of Brandenburg, together with their children, friends, courtiers and animals engaged in professional and leisurely pursuits, illustrating the present successes and alluding to the future ambitions of the Gonzaga dynasty.

Mantegna, Camera degli sposi

An interesting particular of this decoration is the painted vault, a trompe l'oeil, a perfect example of illusionism. Here a group of foreshortened putti happily play around a balustrade.

Another artist who worked for the Gonzaga family was Leon Battista Alberti, the great Renaissance theorist and architect from Florence, who designed the Basilica of Sant’Andrea, which was only constructed in a later date. 

Basilica of Sant'Andrea

Even Giulio Romano, who worked in Rome with Raphael, became the court architect and painter in Mantua from the 1520’s. His most significant and most famous work was the architecture and decoration of Palazzo Te, once considered the villa suburbana for the Gonzaga family, today only a short walk from the Ducal Palace.

Giulio Romano, Palazzo Te

The most amazing thing in the palace is the decoration of the rooms, of which the Camera dei Giganti or Chamber of the Giants is very famous. The story portrayed is the Fall of the Giants from Ovid’s Metamorphoses and, as is clear from some of the details, it is derived from a later Italian edition that alters the original text.
                                                   

Giulio Romano, Fall of the Giants

Mantua has lots to offer...so go and immerse yourself in this beautiful place!

Do you want to know more? or do you have intention to learn some basic Italian before your departure?
You can contact me HERE

Alla prossima!

The Trevi Fountain is 250 years old!

 The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is probably the most famous of all the fountains in Rome! It attracts so many tourists and non tourists each day.

Situated in the heart of the city centre, among narrow streets and alleys, this fountain is 250 years old this year. Designed in 1732 by Nicola Salvi, who won the competition organized by Clement XII, the fountain was formally opened, still incomplete, in 1744 and was finished only in 1762, after the death of his creator. 

Salvi perfectly interpreted the pope's expectations. In fact, the fountain was not simply accommodated by a piazza or square, but the space of the piazza became an integral part of the monument. 

This fountain is a wonderful symbiosis of sculpture and architecture: they complement each other!

So if you go to Rome remember to visit this fountain and think: "What could Rome do without this fountain?"

A presto!

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome

Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome

When I talk about Rome I could tell you so many things without stopping, because that's the place were I come from. Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the favourite places I like to go because it has a wonderful square to relax and chill out. 

The fountain and the church have a story behind them! All the kids of Trastevere have played here when they were little. This square was our meeting point during the afternoon after school, a place where it was possible to run safely, play soccer or more!

Still today this square is a meeting point for the "Trasteverini", the residents of Trastevere, especially during the evening when everyone meets for a drink or a pizza or just an ice-cream. 

So next time you visit Rome, stop by in the square and absorb a bit of the Roman culture! Santa Maria is perfect for your kids to run around especially after a long walk around the ancients sites of Rome. 

Ciao! Alla prossima!

Pistoia: a relaxing destination

Only twenty minutes drive from Florence extends Pistoia, a minor touristy attraction for the first time traveller to Italy. A relaxing destination with a bit of everything!

A perfect destination for the art and history lovers for its selection of buildings and monuments such as the Duomo or Cathedral of San Zeno, which was built in the 10th century on the edge of the Piazza del Duomo. This is the seat of the Bishop of Pistoia and has a Romanesque façade, nave and two side-aisles, with a presbytery and crypt. It is first mentioned in 923, but suffered greatly over the centuries, being damaged by fire in the 12th and early 13th centuries and then by earthquake in 1298.

Cathedral of San Zeno, Pistoia

Fantastic place for who loves contemporary art! Pistoia offers a big selections of museums, including the Marino Marini, which offers exhibitions for contemporary living artists.

Market: Piazza della Sala is one of the most ancient squares of the city and dues its name to the longobard word used to indicate the palace where the government of the city resided. Later, it became the place of the every day market and the trades, and still today this is the square where, every day, there is market, where fruits and vegetables can be bought. Here you can meet the locals whilst also grabbing a bargain or two!

Summer events: each year during the month of July, Piazza del Duomo becomes the centre of the Carousel Bear (Giostra dell'Orso), whose name has its origins in 1947. This competition was already held in 1200 in honor of St. James, the patron of the city. This was attended by famous knights and nobles from all over Italy, such as Piero Giambacorta of Pisa (1380), Erasmus Gattamelata of Venice (1434) and Carlo of Oddi of Perugia (1456).

Pistoia is a mix of everything, an alternative day, only a short ride from Florence or Prato.

Go and enjoy yourself!

A presto!

Arezzo: a little niche off the beaten track to visit Piero della Francesca's cycle

Arezzo is a small fascinating town in Tuscany, only 80 km from Florence, a wonderful day trip if you want to see a different scenery. In fact the town still preserve intact its medieval appearance despite the addition of later constructions.

Several artists such as Giorgio Vasari, famous for the "Lives of the Most Eminent Painters, Sculptors and Architects" (Italian version) and Piero della Francesca worked here. 

Piero della Francesca (1415-1492) was born in Borgo San Sepolcro, in Umbria, where he spent much of his life. He worked in Urbino, Monterchi, San Sepolcro and in Arezzo, where he produced the Legend of the True Cross in the church of San Francesco, considered as one of the most controversy and interesting Renaissance artwork. Admired by his contemporaries as a mathematician and geometer, as well as painter, today his works are admired for their serene humanism and use of geometric forms, particularly in foreshortening and perspective.

Completed in 1466, the Legend of the True Cross, is considered to be Piero della Francesca's greatest masterpiece and narrative medieval story about the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The dominant theme of the cycle is the thiumph of the cross which, since Adam's death, has been guiding man to salvation. The fresco occupy three levels on the side wall and the eastern wall, surrounding a large window.

To complete his work, Piero della Francesca did not follow a chronological order, preferring to concentrate himself in the creation of symmetrical correspondences between the various scenes. The story narrated in twelve main episodes represented in the various scenes composing the cycle, begins with the Death of Adam in the lunette of the right wall and concludes with the Exultation of the True Cross in the lunette on the left wall and the Annunciation at the bottom left of the center wall. 

Here below a scheme of the narrative sequence:

So, if you have got time, and you want to leave Florence for the day during your next holiday, go and visit Piero della Francesca's artwork in Arezzo.

A presto!