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Italy

March - April 2022
A 37-day adventure by skip's retirement travel Read more
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  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 37

    Lake Como

    April 8, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    It's hard to imagine a more beautiful place for my last day in Italy. Lake Como is a very deep glacial lake carved in what we call the foothills of the Alps. ISTM that if it were along the coast, it would be a fjord.
    The lake has been a get away, resort area since at least Roman times, and over the centuries, a fair number of interesting villages and large villas have grown up. The best known is probably Bellagio.
    I took a day trip on the lake-wide navigation system. It visits the villages along the lake kind of like a transit system. These pictures are of the alpine scenery plus a few of the villages and villas. Most if the photos were taken from whichever of the boats I was on at the time.
    A good day in good weather.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 36

    Torino

    April 7, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Turin, as we know it, is an important industrial center in northwest Italy. It has been a significant political player, as well. It was the Savoy capital. It was the heart of the 19th century movement that resulted in the unification of Italy as much of the intellectual and political leadership for the movement originated here. Turin was also the 1st capital of the united Italy. Likewise, Turin was a hotbed of the resistance in world war 2. Today, it is motor city Italy with FIAT, Lancia and Alfa Romeo headquartered here.
    The 1st picture is a view over the city from a hill across the Po. The tall spire is the MOLE Antonelliana that has become a symbol of Turin. It sits atop the cinema museum.
    The 2nd picture is the facade of the Turin Cathedral that is dedicated to John the Baptist. Both the cathedral and bell tower date to the 15th century. The 3rd picture looks down the nave of the cathedral. Of special interest is the glass enclosed chapel above and behind the main altar. That is the Chapel of the Shroud in the 4th picture where the Shroud of Turin is kept.
    The 5th picture is one of the many rooms open in the Royal Palace. They are all this ornate. Please see some of the many other posts I have that show similar rooms in other palaces. The 6th picture is the inner courtyard of the palace. Part of the palace is now an art museum. The 7th picture is just a small sample.
    Just out the "back door" of the palace is the Royal Gardens, now a public park. The 8th picture is a glance.
    Turin was also a Roman city, and some ruins have been preserved. The 9th picture looks over them, including a part of a theater.
    Turin also has a bit of a tradition of street art. Not defacing graffiti (though that is here too), but good art. The last picture is just one example.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 35

    Milano

    April 6, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Milan is a major world city with strengths in finance, fashion, R&D, and many more. It has the 3rd largest economy in Europe and is considered the industrial and financial capital of Italy.
    There is evidence of settlement here as early as the 7th century BCE and possibly before. Eventually, it became part of the Roman empire. When Diocletian divided the empire, Milan (then known as Mediolanum) was made the western capital.
    The 1st picture is the Metropolitan Cathedral- Basilica of the Nativity of St. Mary. Construction began in the 14th century and continued for almost 600 years. This is the largest gothic cathedral in the world. The facade is most recognizable and is a symbol of Milan.
    The 2nd picture is the Piazza del Duomo, taken from the cathedral, looking back across the main square of Milan.
    The 3rd picture is what for many of us is the most famous buildings in Milan. This is La Scala, one of the top.opera houses in the world.
    The 4th picture is the castle. This castle was built in the 15th century upon older fortifications. This castle was the seat of the Sforza family. You might consider them to be the Milanese equivalent of the Medici in Florence.
    The 5th picture is the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio (better known as Ambrose), patron saint of Milan. This 4th century church was formerly known as the Church of the Martyrs as many martyrs are buried here. It is said that there are relics of one of the magi here as well.
    The 6th picture is the courtyard of the Biblioteca di Brera. Brera is the artistic area of Milan, and this building houses many studios where artists learn and sharpen skills.
    The 7th picture is in an inner courtyard and is said to be an excellent example of typical Milanese housing, especially before all the destruction of world war 2.
    The 8th picture is a bit of a surprise for me. I didn't know that Milan was a port and a city of canals. Ships came up the Po River from Rimini and then by canal to this point where duties were paid. Goods went on from there either by canal or overland.
    The 9th picture would have been a common sight in past centuries. This is the city laundry. Those sloped stones by the water were washboards.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 34

    Lake Garda

    April 5, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy. It is near the Dolomites and said to be scenic, but the weather when I was there, while sunny, was so hazy that the mountains were not visible, much to my disappointment.
    There are numerous towns and villages around the lake. In my short visit, I had time to see only a few. These are pictures from the lake and in the villages.
    Of particular interest to me are the last 2 pictures. These are in the Church of San Zeno in Bardolino. This is a Carolingian church, dating to the 8th or 9th century. There are only about 3 buildings of this era in all of Italy. The fragments of frescos are original. There is something special about such an old, small church that I don't usually sense in the large, monumental churches, even if they're older. I'm not sure how to describe it: maybe intimacy, warmth, even a sense of being embraced. Whatever it is or how it might be described, it is most assuredly holy.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 32

    Venezia

    April 3, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    What can I say about Venice? A beautiful city. A great power in the late middle ages through the Renaissance and thereafter. Lots of canals. Arguably the 1st banking center.
    There is some evidence that the founders of Venice may have been refugees from Rome or escaping onslaughts from other areas. That kinda makes sense. People trying to escape or hide often go to swamps or islands, and Venice is built on what were marshy islands in the middle of a lagoon.
    For more than 1,000 years, Venice was a republic, up until Napoleon showed up at the end of the 17th century. The republic's focus was commerce, even to the point that they saw war as commerce by another route.
    There is no way I can capture this city in a few photos. Let these whet your appetite to visit.
    The 1st picture looks across St. Mark's Square, the large piazza in Venice that is the center of all things Venetian. That's the famous Basilica of St. Mark in the distance. To the right of the bell tower you can see a bit of the Doge's Palace. The 2nd picture is the balcony of the Doge's Palace overlooking the Square. The 3rd picture is the back of the Doge's Palace, or more accurately, that's the Bridge of Sighs (the higher one) where convicted prisoners were transfered from the court in the palace to the prisons in the buildings to the left.
    The 5th picture is the famous Grand Canal, and, by way of contrast, the 6th picture is one of the narrow side canals. If you envision Venice's large canals as avenues, this is an alley.
    The 7th picture catches a small local square, a small canal, gondolas and a bell tower. I don't not recall the name of the square. Likewise in the 8th picture. This is one of the larger churches built of typical brick, but I don't recall the name. The 9th picture is a church whose name I've forgotten, but I do recall that this is said to be the only completely marble church in Venice: that's inside and out.
    "What news on the Rialto?" I confess that I didn't once hear that question in all of the time I spent on and about that famous bridge in the last picture.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 32

    St Mark's Basilica

    April 3, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of St. Mark is the principal church of Venice. The current form of the church dates mostly to the 11th century, though there were predecessor basilicas on the site that can still be identified in parts of the building. Not surprisingly, additional modifications were made over the centuries.
    While this is a Roman Catholic church, the architecture is more Byzantine than western with barrel vaults, Arabic influences, multiple domes, Byzantine style mosaics and more. During the time of the republic, the Doge was the head of the church as St. Mark's was his chapel. Even afterwards, decisions about the building, clergy, administration, etc. all resided in the government of Venice, not in Rome. The local and eastern influences can be seen throughout.
    The 1st picture is the side facade facing the Doge's Palace and the lagoon. The rest of the pictures are taken in the narthex and inside the basilica. I spent so much time being awed by the mosaics that I don't think I can safely identify the locations of each of these. Nor can these pictures do justice to the artistry. Perhaps you can identify the scenes in the mosaics. Think of biblical stories and events. You might just recognize some.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 31

    San Marino

    April 2, 2022 in San Marino ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    The Republic of San Marino is the 5th smallest country in the world and claims the titles of oldest sovereign state (dating to 301 CE) and oldest constitutional republic.
    San Marino sits on and around Monte Titano with its eponymous capital city near the top. 3 towers dating to the 11th century are along the ridge at the very top of the mountain.
    The 1st picture is the Gate of St. Francis, one of the 12 historic gates and the main gate to the city today.
    Just inside the gate is the church of St. Francis and adjoining convent that date to the 14th century. The convent now houses a museum.
    The 3rd and 4th pictures are of the main church in town: the Basilica of St. Martin (San Marino). Saint Marinus established a self governing monastic community that evolved into the republic. He also built the 1st church located where the current building (19th century) is located.
    The 5th and 6th pictures are of the 1st tower called Guaita. This is the oldest and largest of the 3 towers. The 5th picture is inside the tower walls, looking across the yard. The 7th picture looks out to the 2nd tower called Cesta. Both the 2nd and 3rd towers are more watchtowers than fortresses. Only the 1st tower is open
    The 8th picture is of the inside of the fortification wall between the 1st and 2nd towers. Notice the walkway for defenders behind the crenellations. It strikes me as narrow especially where warriors need to pass each other.
    The 9th picture is of the Palazzo Publico or town hall (the building to the left directly on the square).
    The last picture is the Cava de Balestrieri when demonstrations such as flag waving and crossbowmanship are held. There are annual festivals and special occasions when crossbows (balestriri) are demonstrated.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 29

    Bologna

    March 31, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Bologna is a north central Italian city with human habitation dating to at least the 3rd millennium BCE, although as a city, it is essentially Etruscan in origin. World war 2 saw extensive damage to the city, including the historical center. The Roman road the Via Emilia passes through Bologna and was a significant factor in it's early development.
    After world war 2 a significant effort was made to restore the historic buildings that had been damaged, and a careful restoration and conservation protocol is in place to help preserve it.
    Bologna is a city of loggia, arched and covered sidewalks like in the 1st picture. These are throughout the historic city center. The 2nd picture is the Piazza Maggiore or large plaza that is the center of town. The church to the right is the Basilica of San Petrino. The 3rd picture is in the nave of San Petrino.
    The 4th picture looks at an older version of the loggia. These are old houses where the 1st story extends over the street.
    The 5th picture are the iconic 2 towers that are located where the ancient Via Emilia entered the old city. The towers date to the early 12 the century. Yes, one is leaning badly, so much so that Dante made it famous in the Inferno.
    The 6th picture is the Archiginnasio of Bologna that dates to the 16th century as a building where all the medieval disciplines could be studied under one roof instead of separate buildings.    Read more

  • skip's retirement travelItaly
    Day 29

    Santo Stefano, Bologna

    March 31, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    The St. Stephan complex in Bologna is sometimes called the 7 churches. Legend has it that the 1st church was built over a temple to Isis.
    The 1st picture is from the front of the buildings. Everything except the building at the left edge is part of the complex. The 2nd picture is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that dates to the 5th century and is intended to be a copy of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem (see another post).
    The next 3 pictures are at various places in the complex, dating from at least the 5th century and perhaps earlier.
    The next last picture is in the cloister with it's historic well. The last picture is a small bit of the museum showing some of what's preserved here.
    I found this place fascinating with it's many eras of architecture.    Read more

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