Showing posts with label architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label architecture. Show all posts

Tuesday, 26 January 2016

Byzantine art in eastern Sicily

In a period of the Middle Ages, in eastern Sicily, Byzantine art has left some evidence. In some areas the monks had many relationships with Eastern Christians.
After the Arab domination had been a bit 'of Byzantine culture. The Norman kings to decorate their beautiful churches asked often the collaboration of many artists of the Byzantine school.

We publish some interesting photos.

fresco in Syracuse, crypt San Marziano 
photo by Susanna Valpreda

fresco of St. Barbara in Pantalica necropolis (read wikipedia)
photo by Susanna Valpreda



On these topics a book written in Italian is also acquirable on Amazon

Susanna Valpreda: Sikelia-In Sicilia orientale nel periodo bizantino
Read more

Wednesday, 1 July 2015

The Medici villa at Poggio a Caiano and the old kitchens

The beautiful villa- not far from Prato and Florence- was commissioned by Lorenzo de 'Medici  around the year 1480.

the architect of the villa was Giuliano da Sangallo
photo alpy 2012

The villa's gardens are very beautiful and inside the building are preserved several works of art.
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The villa can be visited also the small theater that was built by Marguerite Louise d'Orléans (the wife of a duke of Tuscany) and the apartment of Bianca Cappello, who died here in 1587.
In the large hall are visible frescoes by Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo, Franciabigio, Alessandro Allori etc.
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The villa was also used by the King of Italy, then some of the furniture and decorations are the nineteenth century.
Other villas belonged to the historic Medici family are visited by tourists. Also Villa of Petraia is interesting.
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From July 4 to October 25, 2015, visitors can extend their tour by visiting the old kitchen of the villa and a special exhibition. To access some old rooms need to book.
The exhibition shows several ancient paintings of kitchens, cooks and food. Some works of art come from important museums or private collections.


ancient fireplace kitchen-photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini-Civita

painting of Giacomo Ceruti said Pitocchetto - painted in the fifth decade
 of the eighteenth century-photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini-Civita

The private kitchens of the nobles were largely designed and built between 1614 and 1619 during the reign of Cosimo II de 'Medici.
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If you choose a hotel in Prato can see also the beautiful cathedral and many beautiful monuments.

Prato cathedral -photo ap

frescos in Prato, photo s.b


MUSEUM PRATO

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Thursday, 30 April 2015

San Gimignano, an ancient garden

Since May 10, 2015, tourists can visit the garden attached to the ancient pharmacy of Santa Fina in San Gimignano.

The apothecary is visible within the circuit of the museums of San Gimignano

Architects, archaeologists, botanists and gardeners, worked several months to evoke in the green spaces of the garden appearance, the atmosphere and all the characteristics of the old Pharmacy.
The pharmacy and the hospital attached were founded in the thirteenth century and was dedicated to St. Fina, famous woman also remembered with the frescoes by Ghirlandaio in the cathedral of San Gimignano.

a corner of the old pharmacy-  photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA 

ampoules ancient pharmacy-photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA

Saffron in the garden of Santa Fina- photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA 
Saffron is often used to do drugs or to flavor local dishes

staging area of the garden 
photo by Opera Laboratori Fiorentini SpA 

Obviously we know that tourists are always fascinated by the medieval-looking town. Several people then enjoy the local wines. San Gimignano is not far from Siena and many other beautiful places in Tuscany.

the center of San Gimignano-Tuscany


the ancient towers - photo MarkusMark (wiki)
the medieval towers of San Gimignano are very famous


detail of a fresco by Ghirlandaio in the Chapel of Santa Fina
In the cathedral there are several works of art.

Vernaccia,  the good wine of San Giminano
In the future near the garden of Santa Fina organizers will propose occasionally  tasting of wines and other food products by this country.  Vernaccia wine was also appreciated in the Middle Ages to the tables of princes and knights

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Saturday, 25 April 2015

Architecture, Open House Rome

In Rome for the fourth time an association in collaboration with various government agencies offer people the chance to visit different buildings from different periods.

Hopen House Roma, to learn about the architecture
9 and 10 May 2015

The buildings that tourists and students can visit are numerous. Interested persons can view the program of the event on the website: hopen house Roma
The possibility of knowing architectural works not well known is obviously considerable. The program also provides complementary initiatives.
The event collaborate many volunteers and some scholars of architecture. We publish photos of some of the buildings are open.

palace Congressi Eur/Rome  -photo idorosario

old house De Crescenzi -photo Louis Do Rosario


Corsini palace, photo a.zucconi

Coni palace


farmhouse Pius V

palace Congressi-Eur (photo louis do rosario)

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foto a cura ufficio stampa Hopen House Roma

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Friday, 17 April 2015

Flowers and architecture in Tuscany. Pienza and around

In the beautiful town of Pienza and in the nearby Val d'Orcia, tourists will see from 1 to 10 May 2015 many flowers that decorate many places in the area.
Pienza was founded as the ideal city of the Italian Renaissance and therefore its palaces and churches are really interesting. For the construction of the main buildings in this city, the architect Bernardo Rossellino (1409-1464) worked for some years. The idea of building cities according to criteria Renaissance pervaded many artists but practical achievements were few.

Enea Silvio Piccolomini, later Pope Pius II, was the mastermind in the construction of Pienza
fresco in Siena by Pinturicchio -photo wikipedia 

the center of Pienza

a girl admires the flowers of Pienza at the event last year
photo studio Esseci

Piazza Pio II -photo studio Esseci

courtyard Palazzo Piccolomini-photo studio Esseci

In Pienza are several places to visit and you can also see some interesting works of art. 
At the event of May 2015 the organizers will exhibit also a nice little known painting that was created by the artist Nicolas van Houbraken (1668-1723).
Nearby, tourists can also visit: the Leonini Horti in San Quirico d'Orcia, the park Palace Massaini etc.

garden Villa Fiori in Chianciano Terme-photo studio Esseci

On other occasions, nature lovers can make a path with an old train called "Terre di Siena, treno natura"

to know some about this old train, read on the web

It should not be forgotten that these lands were involved ancient Via Francigena.  In San Quirico d'Orcia,  Pienza and Montalcino there are some very interesting old churches. In the area of Siena there are also special hills, called "Crete Senesi"  (Sienese clays). Finally are notable the landscapes of Mount Amiata and the "Abbadia San Salvatore".
There are many reasons for a trip to this area. And the cuisine has its importance.

Abbey Sant Antimo in the beautiful nature of the Tuscan hills



Abbadia San Salvatore (abbey in the area of Monte Amiata)
photo Kweedado2/wiki

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Monday, 13 April 2015

Rome and the ancient people of the Po valley

Since May 9, 2015 to January 17, 2016 Santa Giulia Museum in Brescia will host the exhibition "Brixia, Rome and the people of the Po. A meeting of cultures: III-I century BC"

poster of the exhibition in Brescia

The exhibition documents particularly the cultural situation that was created in the Po Valley and other areas from the battle of 295 BC to Sentinum until full inclusion of people of the north . In the 49 BC was in fact extended Roman citizenship.
In addition to the visible artifacts of the Museum of Santa Giulia, the archaeological park of Brixia (Brescia) has a great documentary value.

the Capitolium in Brescia -photo Studio Esseci

the ancient amphitheater of Brescia-photo Studio Esseci

old photo 

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Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Abbeys in Italy

Many abbeys were founded in Italy in the medieval period. Sometimes few princes and kings collaborated to their foundation.
The oldest is probably the abbey of Montecassino, founded in 529 by St. Benedict. Shortly after the monks built- in an isolated area-  the great monastery of San Vincenzo al Volturno, which was later destroyed. In the following centuries were built other famous abbeys. In the eighth century Anselmo began work on the construction of the Abbey of Nonantola. In the ninth century the monasteries of Cava dei Tirreni and Pomposa. For many other abbeys the foundation date is uncertain, and other important monasteries were built after the tenth century.
There are monasteries in all Italian regions. In Rome  the abbey of the Tre Fontane was built in a place that was frequented by San Paolo. Nearby Rome tourists can visit the abbeys of Casamari, Fossanova and Farfa.
Among the monasteries in Tuscany should be mentioned the interesting ruins of San Galgano. But people will like also S.Antimo, Monte Oliveto Maggiore etc

San Galgano -photo Focusphoto

In many places there are important works of art. In many places there are important works of art. For example, in the sanctuary of La Verna in Tuscany there are works by Andrea della Robbia.

the church in Nonantola Abbey

Nonantola: entrance portal -photo ap

Pomposa near Ferrara

Farfa: entrance portal -photo ap

detail in the monastery of Cava dei Tirreni -photo ap


Fossanova-foto ap


Polirone Abbey

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For more see other page

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books by Alpav in Lulu

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Baroque art in Rome, exhibition 2015

In the rooms of Palazzo Cipolla, the Rome Foundation Museum is planning from April 1 to July 26 a new exhibition called "Baroque in Rome. The wonder of the arts."


The works of art that will be exhibited are numerous. Tourists will see statues of Gian Lorenzo Bernini and paintings by Guido Reni, Pietro da Cortona, Simon Vouet, Guercino and others.

Painting by Guercino, on loan from the Vatican Museums (photo Vatican Museums)


statue by Bernini  (photo S.S.P.S.A.E e per il Polo Museale della città di Firenze -  Gabinetto Fotografico)


The site of the exhibition is : www.mostrabaroccoroma.it

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On this occasion people interested can visit some monuments in Baroque style and collateral exhibitions. 

the church Santa Maria della Vittoria (photo wikipedia)


work by Bernini for the fountain in Piazza Navona
photo alpav


part of the baroque facade of the church of Santa Maria in Via Lata (photo ap)
the architect of the church was Pietro da Cortona
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books by Alpav in Lulu