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Italy

A 37-day adventure by skip's retirement travel Read more
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  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Sorrento

    March 14, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Sorrento, the 1st stop on a one day visit to the Amalfi coast, south of Naples, has been inhabited since at least the 8th century BCE, and probably long before. This lovely town sits out near the end of the eponymous peninsula that forms the south side of the Bay of Naples. Sorrento sits atop tufa cliffs that give wide views over the Bay to Naples, Vesuvius and the rest of the region.
    The 1st 3 pictures are at the top of the cliffs, looking west, then north over one of the marinas and finally east. Given the shadows, it's hard to see the tufa cliffs, but it is clear how high they are.
    The last 3 pictures are in the old town. The 4th picture is the Piazza Tasso, the main square in Sorrento. The statue, I understand, is San Antonino Abate.
    The remaining 2 pictures are of narrow streets typical of the old town. The street in the 5th picture frames a church whose name I didn't find.    Read more

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    Positano

    March 14, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Positano, the 2nd stop in my visit to the Amalfi coast, is a village built up a cliff side from the beach. I'm told that when the well to do began to feel that Capri was getting to crowded, they began to head to Positano. Today, this is an expensive, high end town.
    Settlement here dates to prehistoric times, but remains date to the Roman period when the wealthy began to build villas in the region. It grew significantly beginning in the 15th century as a trading port of the Amalfi Republic (see another post).
    The 1st picture looks down along the beach and across the cliff side village. I'm told this view become almost magical around sunset and into the evening. The next 2 picture are taken from the beach, looking up at the town. These give a good sense of just how steep this town is. I'm also told that one of the reasons for building like this was that pirates often visited these trading towns. So the wealthy kept moving uphill for better protection.
    The next 2 pictures are in the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. This church is most famous for the mosaic in the 4th picture. It is Byzantine in style, and nothing like it exists anywhere nearby. No one knows how it got to Positano, but one legend says that pirates stole it. When they were passing, a violent storm erupted, and they heard a voice saying pit it down. So they left it, "put it down," in Positano, and the storm abated.
    The last picture is of islands off the coast near Positano. These are private islands owned by wealthy and famous people. Yes, such places do exist, and no, tourists can't visit    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    A Short Cruise Along the Coast

    March 14, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    The Amalfi coast, named after the city of Amalfi (see another post), is famous for its scenery and has been for centuries. This is where wealthy Romans retreated to as Rome was falling. It has been a favorite destination for the wealthy for centuries. Not least, this was a typical stop on the Grand Tour of young aristocrats.
    These photos give a different view from those taken on land. They intend to give you a sense of the beauty of the place. There are many villages, ancient towers, beaches grottos and more.
    All I can say is come and see.    Read more

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    Amalfi

    March 14, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Amalfi was the 1st maritime republic in Italy, and during the 9th to 11th century controlled the trade with the east. The others that came later are Genoa, Pisa and Venice. As such, Amalfi was a wealthy town.
    The 1st picture looks across the main square to St. Andrew's Cathedral at the top of the stairs. St. Andrew is the patron saint of Amalfi. Unfortunately, the cathedral that dates to the 11th century was closed. The architecture has a lot in common with the Arab-Norman architecture seen in Sicily (see other posts) as this cathedral dates to that time.
    The 2nd picture looks down from the cathedral porch over the main piazza. The 3rd and 4th pictures are typical street scenes.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Blue Grotto and More

    March 15, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The blue grotto is arguably the most famous point on the Isle of Capri, located off of Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The only way to get there is by boat. I took a short, small boat cruise that circumnavigated the island to get there.
    Once there, it's a transfer to small rowboats as that's all that will fit into the grotto. The 1st picture shows why it got its name. Light reflecting off the white bottom is refracted, rendering the water blue. This grotto was also known as emperor Vespasian's private swimming pool as he had a villa atop the island with a tunnel directly to the grotto.
    The 2nd picture is a long distance picture of the Punta Carena lighthouse. This is the 2nd oldest lighthouse in Italy, built in the 1860s. In ancient times, a fire was lighted here for the same purpose.
    The 3rd picture is of the faraglioni rocks of Capri. I understand that these formations are known as stacks, coastal geologic formations eroded by wave action. The arch is large enough for local tour boats to pass through, which we did.
    The 4th and 5th pictures are 2 more named grottos of Capri: the green grotto and the white grotto respectively. Much like the blue grotto, light is refracted in the former causing the water to appear emerald green. The white grotto is named for the white limestone rather than refracted light. The white light plus stalactites and stalagmites, though not clearly visible here, are said to make an intriguing sight. The sea was too rough on this side of the island to get a good picture.
    The last picture looks straight up at the limestone cliffs on the south side of the island. Capri is an extraordinarily beautiful place.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Capri

    March 15, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    This is the that famous upscale island that really needs to be more than a day trip, which is what I did. This is a rugged and scenic place that calls out for hikes to many otherwise inaccessible places.
    Many famous people have owned villas here or visited, far too many to name.
    I did manage to get to the blue grotto and other sites around the coast of the island (see another post). These pictures are in the relatively small main part of the island, between the marina grande and marina piccolo (large and small marina, respectively).
    The 1st picture is in the Piazza Umberto I, aka La Piazzetta (small square). This is the center of "downtown" Capri, the meeting point and social center of the island.
    The 2nd picture looks across the marina grande to the slope up towards the main town. The 3rd picture looks down on the marina grande. All the passenger ferries dock at the quay along the inside of the seawall.
    The 4th picture is taken from La Piazzetta. The Isle of Capri has 2 high points with a saddle in between. The main plaza is located at the top of the saddle between the 2 marinas. The 4th picture looks across the saddle.
    The 5th picture is taken from the seawall roughly where the ferries dock. You can see the marina as well as the saddle shape of the island with the developed area climbing the hill towards La Piazzetta.
    My sense is that I missed a lot here. I guess I'll have to come back. I look forward to it.    Read more

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    Santa Maria Maggiore

    March 16, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    I have finally made it to Rome. Planned activities begin tomorrow. So I went out for a walk for a 1st look around. I can say without a doubt that the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a really good 1st place to come across.
    Santa Maria Maggiore dates to the 5th century and is 1 of the 7 pilgrim churches in Rome.
    The 1st picture is the ornate facade. The column in front of the church carries a statue of Mary and the child, Jesus.
    The 2nd picture is in the very large nave with it's gilded ceiling. There are 2 aisles, one to either side marked by the columns.
    As this basilica was built shortly after the Council of Ephesus declared Mary to be Theotokos, many of the mosaics here are among the earliest of Mary and set the style for centuries to come. The rest of the pictures look at just a few of the famous works of art here.
    The 3rd picture looks up to some of the art around the clerestory windows. The 4th picture is one of the side aisles. The 5th picture is the dome over the main altar. The 6th picture is one of the side chapels, and the last is the baptistry. So much spectacular art. I suspect there will be lots more to come.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Pantheon

    March 17, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Another of Rome's iconic structures, the Pantheon was originally built during the reign of Augustus Caesar but was destroyed (a couple times, actually). The current building was built by Hadrian in the 2nd century. Pantheon means all gods. Since the 7th century it had been known as the church of Mary and martyrs.
    The pantheon is most famous for its dome with the oculus or opening in the roof. Even now, 2,000 years after it was built, it remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The engineer in me finds this mind blowing.
    The building actually consists of the more typical portico shown in the 1st picture with the cylindrical temple behind. The temple structure is shown in the panorama.    Read more

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    Sistene Chapel

    March 17, 2022 in Vatican City ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Much to my disappointment, the Sistene Chapel has a very strict no photography rule. Yet the place is so extraordinary, it requires it's own post. The best I can do for photos is these pictures of displays outside that contain pictures taken inside. These "pictures of pictures" just don't do justice to the amazing artistry of Michelangelo. Actually, I suspect that no photography could do it justice. It has to be seen in person.Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    The Vatican

    March 17, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Officially an independent country, this city state of less than 150 acres is the smallest country in the world. Most know it as the seat of the Pope and the central administration of the Roman Catholic Church.
    This post adds pictures of some of the places not shown in others posts.
    The 1st picture looks up the main street leading to St. Peters Square while the 2nd picture is taken in the Square with the Basilica to the right and the obelisk to the left. The obelisk is Egyptian originally from Heliopolis. It sits at the center of the elliptical square atop a fountain. The space was design by the famous artist Bernini, including the colonnade that is 4 columns deep.
    The Papal Basilica of St. Peter, the largest church in the world, is built on the site of the 4th century basilica built by Constantine on the site understood to hold the burial of the Apostle Peter. The 3rd picture is of the nave. The 4th picture looks more closely at the chancel and altar with the stained glass representing the dove as the Holy Spirit. The 5th picture looks down the stairs in front of the main altar down towards where Peter's tomb is located.
    The last picture looks over some of the interior gardens within the Vatican. These are private gardens and parks that encompass half of the country.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Palatine Hill

    March 18, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Of the famous 7 hills of Rome, the Palatine is the most central. Even though evidence suggests that people lived here long before, Rome is said to be founded here in the 8th century BCE.
    The story of the twins Romulus and Remus is fairly well known. They were said to be suckled and raised by a she-wolf. The word for she-wolf is lupa. Lupa is also the word for a prostitute. Regardless of which is accurate, Romulus killed Remus, I'm told, because they disagreed about where to found the city.
    Today, the Palatine is an archaeological museum. The approach to the hill is via the Arch of Titus in the 1st picture. The 2nd picture is inside the arch showing, among other things, the menorah taken from the temple in Jerusalem after its destruction in the 1st century CE.
    The pictures now move to the top of the hill and the imperial palace. The 3rd picture is the hippodrome for horse racing. (Yes, the palace had its own private race course and stables.) The 4th picture is a bridge to a temple of Athena. At one end (shown here) was a throne for the emperor to commune with the goddess, especially before war. The temple was on a mound to the right with sacred olive trees
    The 5th picture is of an open area of the Palatine near the imperial palace. Those are original marble pavers. The entire area, pavement and buildings alike were clad in marble that was "recycled" to be used for later construction around Rome.
    The last picture is taken from atop the retaining wall at the terrace showing the emperor's view overlooking the forum (see another post). The 3 arches to the rear are ruins of the basilica of Maxentius, the guy Constantine defeated.    Read more

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    The Imperial Forum

    March 18, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    The forum was the heart of Rome. As you can see, it was a very large area. It was the social, political, commercial center of the city and the empire. Hence, the emperor kept a look over what was going on.
    The 1st three pictures are all taken from the terrace atop the Palatine where that picture in the Palatine Hill post was taken. I hope you can get a sense of the scale of the forum. In essence, the 1st and 2nd pictures are taken to the right and left. The 3rd plus the one in the Palatine post are taken looking across the forum.
    The 4th picture is the Temple of Vesta where the Vestal Virgins kept the sacred flame alight 24/7. This was a symbol of Rome's protection and prosperity. The 5th picture is the House of the Vestal Virgins where the 6 of them lived for their 30 years of service.
    The 6th picture is the tomb of Julius Caesar. This is where the people brought his body after he was murdered, much to the chagrin of the powers that be who plotted and executed his assassination.
    The last picture is of the Roman Senate building. The is the Curia Julia, the 3rd curia building. This was begun in 44 BCE by Julius and finished by Agustus. The building is in better shape than most buildings of the period as this one was converted to a church and was protected and maintained.    Read more

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    Coliseum

    March 18, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    This panorama was taken from the site of the former Imperial Box. Note the scaffolding. This is how high the Coliseum was all around.
    This is another of those places that pictures don't do justice to the incredible building.
    See also another post with some more details    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Coliseum Details

    March 18, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    To provide some closer looks at what is arguably the world's most famous archaeological site, here are a few still pictures to add to the panorama (see another post).
    Originally called the Flavian Amphitheater (because it was built by the Flavian emperors), the coliseum was started in 72 CE and completed in 80 CE. Only 8 years to build it! Seating is estimated to be as many as 80,000 people in 4 levels of seats, with each higher tier being for lower strata of Roman society.
    The 1st picture is a model of the Coliseum, showing it with all the statues around the outer perimeter. The 2nd picture is in the outer ring hallway that was a passageway under the spectator seats at ground level. It looks amazingly like the same space in modern stadia.
    The 3 remaining pictures are inside, all taken from the top of the 2nd seating level. Both higher level are gone, except for some of the walls. The 3rd picture looks toward 1 end of the oval to a small area reconstructed over what were the 2 floors beneath the arena floor to give a sense of what it might have looked like. The 4th picture looks down along the aisles of the lower of the 2 sub levels. The upper level is gone. This is where the animals were caged and the elevators were located for lifting animals, gladiators, etc. into the arena. The 5th picture looks at the Coliseum from outside as it is today.
    The last picture is across the street. This is the gladiator's school. Here they trained and lived and where they entered the tunnel into the sub levels to be lifted into the arena to perform.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Renaissance (and more) Rome

    March 18, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Rome is known for its ancient history as well as its renaissance art and architecture. In fact, some of its best known sites are from the Renaissance and baroque periods.. Here are some that I visited.
    The 1st picture is the Trevi Fountain, the largest baroque fountain in Rome. It dates to the 18th century. It replaced previous fountains in this location and is carved from travertine marble quarried nearby. The water in this fountain is supplied by a Roman aqueduct built in the 1st century, 1 of 2 that still supply Rome with drinking water today.
    The 2nd picture, albeit not a very good picture, is of the Spanish Steps, another baroque masterpiece. The fountain in front of the steps is the 17th century fountain of the longboat, named after a boat dropped here by a Tiber flood. The steps were built in the 18th century by the Bourbons to link the Spanish embassy at the top with the Holy See at the bottom.
    The 3rd picture is of Mussolini's monumental structure. If you've seen pictures of IL Duce giving a speech or reviewing a parade, it was probably here. The statues on the roof are the largest in Rome, and the equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel, Italy's 1st king is the 2nd largest. To give sense of scale, the equestrian statue was opened by Mussolini's people and a dinner party for 20 was seated inside.
    The 4th and 5th pictures are of the 16th century Jesuit Church of Jesus: the facade and the interior, respectively. This is the mother church of the Jesuits. It is said that this is the 1st truly baroque facade. The 5th picture is the high altar.
    The 6th picture is the Piazza Navona. In the center, with the obelisk, is the fountain of the 4 rivers by Bernini. The obelisk was Domitian's. To the right is the Church of St. Agnes in Agony.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Some More of Ancient Rome

    March 19, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    In no particular order, here are a few more of the ancient Roman sites
    The 1st picture is the Circus Maximus, located at the opposite site of the Palatine Hill from the Coliseum. This chariot race track dates initially to the 6th century BCE, but was rebuilt several times. It's current form is 621 meters long by 118 meters wide and could seat 150,000 spectators at its peak.
    The 2nd picture is some of what's left of the Domus Aurea, Nero's golden mansion, located near what is now the coliseum but was then his private artificial lake.
    The next 3 pictures are at the forum of Trajan which dates to the 2nd century CE. The 3rd picture looks at the piazza of forum with a few of the original marble pavers still in situ; the 4th has Trajan's Column; and the 5th has the remains of Trajan's market.
    The 6th picture is of the remains of the portico of Octavia that was built by Augustus in his sister's name. Nearby were the Temples of Jupiter Stator and Juno Regina. Finally, just down the street was the Theater of Marcellus, Augustus'nephew. That is in the last picture.    Read more

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    Jewish Rome and Trastavere

    March 19, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Trastevere literally means across the Tiber. This is the area where non-Roman citizens often congregated to settle. That was true of the 1st Jewish settlers in the 2nd century BCE In response to provocation from the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a delegation traveled to Rome to ask for support against Antiochus. Some decided to stay.
    The Jewish community developed on both sides of the river. The 1st picture is of the main synagogue in Rome. This is where Pope John Paul II met with the chief rabbi of Rome to offer an apology and ask forgiveness for the way Jews were treated by the Catholic church and it's teaching. Both of his successors have done the same.
    The 2nd picture is of the facade of what was a synagogue. The building has been redone, but the facade is original.
    The 3rd picture is a Jewish community and cultural center that I'm told is very active and vital. The 4th picture is a street where Jewish life is lived today. I was there during Shabbat. So not many people were around.
    The 5th picture is of an island in the Tiber. Originally there was a Temple of Asclepius here. Asclepius was the Greek god of healing, and the entire island was a healing cult. The Jewish physicians of the time interacted with the cult and were among the best doctors of the time, and that continued over the centuries. Even when Judaism was forced into a ghetto here, the well to do managed to keep their Jewish doctors. Today there are 2 hospitals and a church on the island. One hospital is founded by Christians; the other by a Jewish group. This has nothing to do with who can be treated where.
    The last picture (or one like it) always seems to appear in accounts of Judaism these days. This is the square where the trucks waited when the Nazis rounded up the Jews for transport to Auschwitz. The large building was there then and is now the museum of the Shoah in Rome.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Orvieto

    March 20, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    Orvieto is a small city stop an outcrop of volcanic tuff with near vertical cliffs all around. This has been a city since at least Etruscan times and was actually an Etruscan acropolis.
    It has been an important city for centuries. It's near impregnable, fortress like setting and its location over the main Rome to Florence road has contributed to the city's wealth and the influence. In fact, this is 1 of only 2 cities outside of Rome to have a papal palace. This is shown in the last picture, though it's now a museum.
    The city today is essentially medieval in character as I think you'll be able to see in the pictures.
    The 1st picture looks from above at what people approaching had to see: the cliffs upon which the city is built. The 2nd picture looks down on 1 of the city gates located below the top of the cliffs. This is the Porta Romana.
    The 3rd picture looks into the Republic Square with a small market set up in the square. Immediately to the left in the square is St. Andrew's Church with it's octagonal bell tower shown in the 4th picture.
    The 5th picture is the oldest church in the city, San Giovenale, that dates to 1004. It is said to have original frescoes but wasn't open.
    The 6th picture is a typical street in Orvieto, and the 7th looks over a portion of the city from atop the Torre del Moro. The cathedral (see another post) is to the right.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Orvieto Cathedral

    March 20, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (The Assumption of Mary) dates to the 14th century. The facade in the 1st picture is considered a masterpiece of design. With mosaics, bas relief, rose window and more. These works have been redone and completed over the centuries to arrive at its current configuration.
    The 2nd picture looks down the length of the ornate nave. Notice the black and white stripes. These are alternating layers of travertine marble and basalt that are used throughout the building.
    Near the entrance is the large marble baptismal font in the 3rd picture. Near the font is one of the few ancient frescoes not affected by later alterations. The 4th picture show an example of frescoes uncovered after those alterations were undone.
    The 5th picture is a closer look at the apse. The stained glass and the frescoes all date to the 14th century. The frescoes, though a bit damaged, have been occasionally restored over the centuries.
    The last 3 pictures are in the New Chapel of San Brizio. All the surfaces are frescoes, most by Signorelli.    Read more

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    Orvieto Underground

    March 20, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The ground under Orvieto has been described as a honeycomb of caves, all of which are manmade. Most of them, in fact, are privately owned and serve as cellars. Only a small area of 2 caves is open to the public.
    The 1st picture is in a section of cave that had been adapted to be operated as an olive oil mill. I'm told it was active through most of the 19th century. Because the temperature in the caves was pretty consistent year round, they could store the olives longer after the harvest and could work year round. The 2nd picture is still oni the oil mill, showing some mill stones and other equipment.
    The 3rd picture is simply a look at a section of cave. Marks of picks and chisels are visible.
    The 4th picture is a well. Sitting on top of the volcanic plug, Orvieto has no surface water. So, especially if under siege, having access to water was critical. These hand dug wells were built using steps carved in the walls that you can make out in the picture. The workers straddled the excavation, digging down and adding steps as they went. It could be 100 meters straight down to reach water.
    The last picture is of a typical use for caves around the edges of the cliff: a dove cote or set of pigeon holes. Pigeon was and still is a typical dish here. Raising these birds was very lucrative as they could reproduce monthly and the birds could feed themselves by a exiting for the day to feed and bring home food for chicks. So, once the dove cote was built, there was essentially no overhead.    Read more

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    Umbria Countryside

    March 20, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Umbria is a region of central Italy known for its mou tain towns, rolling hills, farms, etc. The video is taken from the top of the cliff at Orvieto (see another post) to provide an idea of what this part of Italy is like.Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Perugia

    March 22, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    Perugia is the capital of Umbria, a region in central Italy. Its history goes back to at least the Etruscan period when this fortified hilltop town was of the principal cities. Today it is mostly medieval in character. For example, I stayed in a hotel that is in a converted building dating to the 12th century. The last picture is part of the ceiling of my room here. The structure is arched and painted (and decidedly cool).
    The 1st picture is in one of the piazzas. The church in the background is the church if the society of the good death who formed to provide funerals, burials, etc. to indigent people. In front of the church is a well head. This is where water was drawn from the Etruscan well. The 2nd picture is inside the well that dates from the 3rd century BCE. The photo is actually taken looking up at the marble structure that supports the top of the well. It is held in place by gravity only.
    The 3rd picture is of the cathedral that is undergoing extensive renovations. The 4th picture is the medieval Fontana Maggiore in the square adjacent to the cathedral.
    The 5th picture looks out front the hilltop. You can see a portion of the ancient city walls roughly in the center.
    The 6th picture is the Piazza Independencia, one of the main squares in town. The 7th picture is an interesting side street that caught my eye, but it is not unique here.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItalyskip's retirement travel

    Saint Francis Basilica

    March 23, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    The Papal Basilica of St. Francis is a surprisingly large building, including the Sacred Convent. It was begun in the 13th century, shortly after Francis' death. The 1st picture looks up at what pilgrims see as they approach the town. That is a significant landmark.
    This basilica is also the mother church of the Order of Friars Minor. The 2nd picture is the cloister of the friary/Sacred Convent that is part of the buildings by complex.
    The basilica itself has 3 primary levels: the upper and lower churches and the crypt. The next 5 pictures are in the upper and lower churches and side chapels. The walls and ceilings are completely painted in frescoes by Cimabue, Giotto and more. The place is beautiful and overwhelming.
    The last picture is in the crypt with St. Francis' tomb.    Read more

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    Assisi

    March 23, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Assisi is another fortified hill town in Umbria, a region named for its 1st known settlers about 3,000 years ago. Over time, the Etruscans moved in; then finally the Romans.
    Of course this says nothing about Assisi's most famous son: Francesco di Bernardone. He's the guy we know as St. Francis of Assisi. Also born here is arguably the town's most famous daughter and one of Francis' earliest followers: Chiara d'Offreducci. This, of course, is St. Clare.
    In Assisi, there is a large basilica in St. Francis' name (see another post). And there are many churches (see yet another post). This post attempts to look at some of the rest of what's here.
    The 1st picture is of the main square called the Piazza del Commune. This was the Roman forum during that period. The 2nd picture is a closer look at the far end. Notice the building with the columns. That is the facade of a Temple of Minerva from Roman times and dated to the 1sy century BCE. Behind the facade the building was converted to a church (see that other post). To the left of the temple is the People's Tower and the Palace of the Capitan of the People. I'm told that the tower has engraved on it standard measures to assure that everyone knows. The building on the left of the picture is the palace of the Priori.
    The 3rd picture is an interesting painted tunnel, and the 4th picture is a typical side street, stairs and all. The 5th picture is the 3 lions fountain dating to the 16th century, also in the main square.
    It would be incomplete to not include a look at the view. The 6th picture looks out from the upper piazza at the basilica.
    The 7th picture looks up at Rocca or castle atop the hill above the town. This castle was closed, a second similar one, built by the same guy, exists at Spoleto (see another post).    Read more

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