Animal Park Bad Zurzach
13. januar, Schweiz ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
Copper-necked goats
The copper-necked goat is a goat breed that originally comes from Valais in Switzerland. She was up to the 20th. century, but then fell into oblivion due to racial cleansing. In recent decades, copper-necked goats have been repeatedly discovered in stocks of ordinary black-necked goats. Thanks to the efforts of the ProSpecieRara Foundation, the breed has been rebuilt in recent years.
Appearance - Copper-necked goats are medium-sized goats with a slender build. They have a long, shaggy coat that is copper brown at the front of the body. The legs, the belly and the tail are black. The horns are long and curved.
Behaviour - Herbivores and feed on grasses, herbs, leaves, branches and fruits.
Reproduction - The mating season of the copper-necked goat begins in autumn. After a gestation period of 5 to 6 months, the female gives birth to one or two young in May or June.
Life expectancy - Copper-necked goats can live up to 15 years.
Peculiarities - Copper-necked goats are a rare and endangered breed. They are easy to recognize due to their unique coloration. Copper-necked goats are robust and resistant. They are good mother animals and produce high-quality milk.
Pampas hares - Dolichotinae
Pampas hares, also called maras, are large rodents that are native to the steppes of South America. They are the largest representatives of the guinea pigs and reach a head-trunk length of 61 to 81 cm and a weight of 4 to 15 kg.
Appearance - Pampas hares have a brown or gray-brown coat, which is slightly lighter at the top than at the bottom. The tail is short and thick. The ears are large and round.
Behaviour - Pampas hares are diurnal animals that live in groups of up to 30 animals. They are good runners and can also cope with steep slopes. Pampas hares are very social animals and communicate with each other through sounds and gestures.
Reproduction - The mating season of the pampas hares begins in late summer. After a gestation period of about 110 days, the female gives birth to one to three young in the spring. The young are breastfed by the mother and are weaned after about 6 months.
Life expectancy - Pampas hares can live up to 15 years in the wild.
Peculiarities - Pampas hares are popular zoo animals. They are very intelligent and can also learn simple tricks.
Additional information - Pampas hares are not endangered in their natural habitat. However, they are held as meat suppliers in some countries.Læs mere
Rome Hop-on Hop-off
21. januar, Italien ⋅ ☁️ 6 °C
Forum Romanum- A wide archaeological area, located on the western foothills of the Capitol Hill and running alongside the modern via del Teatro di Marcello, has been brought to light between 1929 and 1933 on the occasion of the demolitions carried out to open the new via del Mare (later renamed via del Teatro di Marcello).
In fact since 1922, among the urban renewal activities strongly pushed by the fascist nationalistic ideology of the time, the Capitoline Hill has been increasingly seen as a primordial symbol of Romanity, so to rapidly become the object of a radical program of
"liberation" from the crumbling neighbourhood built on its slopes. Fascist propaganda was in fact aiming to bring the Hill back to its original aspect of "Immobile saxum", an expression that can be found in the episode of the death of Eurialo and Niso, narrated by Virgilio in his epic poem "Eneide", where the Poet aimed to compare the two men's glorious and eternal reputation to the massive stability of the rocky slopes of Capitol
During the demolitions held by Fascist Government, an entire neighbourhood, built with a significant number of churches and palaces since Renaissance time around via Tor de'Specchi and Piazza Montanara, was at the time totally destroyed.
The demolitions of the modern urban fabric allowed the archaeologists of the 1930s to discover the vast roman neighbourhood around Foro Olitorio: Rome's oldest trading area located near the Tiber. The excavations brought to light: the Insula of the Ara Coeli, the "Taberna delle Tre Pile"
', the "Caseggiato dei Molini", the so called "Grande
Insula", the so called "Casa Cristiana", a thermal building complex ("Balneum") and a porch of the republican time on the Vico Jugario).
Extended portions of the tuff that constitutes the Capitoline Hill have been exposed throughout the demolition of the Renaissance neighborhood The "liberation" of the Hill from the buildings, that surrounded it for centuries, has determined also the need for substantial structural consolidation works of the tuff around the hill. These works, still visible along the via del Teatro di Marcello, Vico Jugario and via della Consolazione, have been completed in 1943.
During the 1960s new episodes of limited collapses of the hill happened and brought to new consolidation works, still well visible. Unfortunately not all of those intervention appear to have been effective.
Present works aim to avoid new collapses, reinforce the stone structures and restore the gardens surrounding the hill.Læs mere
The rest of Rome
21. januar, Italien ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
21. januar, Vatikanet ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Perhaps I should say the ceilings of the Vatican Museum with some other random stuff- no photo allowed in the Sistine Chapel
Parco Delle Cave
29. januar, Italien ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
The Park of the Marsala Quarries was born from the patient work of reclaiming some abandoned quarries after the depletion of the calcarenite sandstone, extracted in blocks known as "tufi." The restoration was carried out by private citizens who, safeguarding it from the risk of becoming a landfill, made it accessible and usable. It is a "hidden city" that develops in terraces at different levels, connected by dirt roads and tunnels. The distinctive alternation of volumes and shadows, created by the work of quarrymen, has given rise to a landscape with unique and evocative architecture, whose effect is reminiscent of a “small Grand Canyon.” The park also enjoys a particular flora, with dwarf palm, thyme, and wild asparagus, while the remaining Mediterranean scrub and rock fissures favor the nesting of protected birds, including the European bee-eater. The outcropping land in these areas protects the underlying layer of calcarenite sandstone and is called “sciara.” This term, of Arabic origin, refers to an arid and desolate landscape that, however, due to its particular flora and fauna, is recognized as a Site of Community Interest (SCI).
A large part of the territory of Marsala is made up of calcarenite sandstone (known as "calcarenite of Marsala"): a material that is easy to work with and has facilitated the extraction of blocks for building purposes. During the 1950s, in the post-war period, the trade of the “quarryman” increased greatly and became an important economic activity alongside agriculture. The quarrying activity is linked to the origins of the city itself, when the Phoenicians, in the 4th century BC, to escape the destruction of their colony on the island of Motya, (see footprint December 2024) took refuge on the mainland and built a powerful defensive wall. There are also traces that suggest the use of calcarenite dates back to even earlier times; in fact, in the 8th century BC, lithoid stones were quarried in the area of Latomie Zitelle (S.S. 1 8 at km 2) to build Motya. The greatest boost to the exploitation of the quarries, however, came later from the Romans, with their building activities. The underground quarries are located adjacent to the urban center, along a vast front that extends from Via Circonvallazione to Contrada Amabilina. These first quarries were mainly used to develop the urban center of Marsala. "Corridors" have been identified within the urban center that were probably used in the past first as quarries for the construction of historic center buildings, and later as escape routes or connections between the city's various churches (Mother Church, Church of Itriella, Sanctuary of the Madonna della Cava Cave, Church of the Madonna dell'Itria, Annunziata Complex in Piazza Carmine, etc.). Quarrying has continued to the present day, but with mechanical means that have allowed extraction to be carried out no longer in "galleries" but in "open air," using more peripheral areas of the city (as in the case of the "Park of the Quarries" area).
The wall is 25 meters high and reveals the cavers methods and obvious cuts reveal the number of blocks removed and their size. The wind which has blown against the walls has revealed various fossils that make up the structure of the land, indicating that in the quaternary age the land was submerged under the sea.
The north side of the wall doesn't receive sunligh anymore, since production has stopped at the site and it has now become the perfect habitat for «bee-eaters» (birds nesting in holes in quarry wallls), and «capers» (plants sprouted inside the wall slits).
Bee-eaters can grow to a length of 25-29 centemeters, also the tail feathers are particularly long and the wingspan can reach 49 centemeters with a weight of 50-70 grams. The Bee-eater's «bottom» plumage is brown with green on the belly and shades of yellow, blue, black and orange. Bee-eaters nest in the Mediterranean basin but winters in the south of the Sahara, preferring open environments with wild and bushy vegetation. They arrive in Sicily in early may to resume at the end of August and mainly eat bees. The nests are deep tunnels in the walls where the female lays on average 5 to 8 eggs, and both sexes incubate them for 20 days annually. If a pair finds a favorable place for nest construction, others arrive to form a new colony.
There are two different kinds of sandstone calcarenite areas, commonly called «tufa quarries»: the «ditches» and the «galleries».
Mining dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century and continued until the 1990s.
The oldest and now disused system is the Gallery's system, which created huge paths in the hypogeum, part of the industrial and archeological findings.
In the past the extraction was carried out manually with rudimentary tools such as the «mannaia» and the «manganello». The first step was the abolition of a very small portion of the rocky outcrop, called «cappellaccio», in order to reach the more malleable and valuable underlying material. The second step was the production of small blocks for building purposes.
The blocks were brought to the surface with pulleys.
Today, thanks to the help of the «tufa cutting machines», the extraction can be done by removing the whole cappellaccio through the «open processing system» (ditch quarry).
The entire area in which the Park is located is an open quarry with the exception of a parallel area by the road that links a series of hypogeal quarries. The open processing system is now prefered because the use of machines allows the complete elimination. of the cappellaccio from the surface (layer) thereby obtaining almost all the material for construction. Along the various terraces, we find totems which had been left by the cavers because these indicate poor quality materials, but today are the urban furniture of this «hidden city».Læs mere
Parco Delle
31. januar, Italien ⋅ 🌧 12 °C
Subsidising income with;
In this magnificent place we've been growing cardoncelli mushrooms, also called ferla mushrooms for several years.
It’s a delicious mushroom with a texture that remains the same even after cooking.
It can be eaten raw, roasted, fried, gratin, trifolated and as a seasoning in many dishes made from pasta, rice, meat, fish, vegetables and vegetables.
Keeping her organolectic gifts intact and most of the time exaltinguishing the ingredient in association.
Inside the park, along the walkways, you will find a typical Sicilian flora composed of: wild thyme, dwarf palm, rosemary, capers, wild asparagus, valerian and much more. In addition, many protected birds, including the snug, are settled and nested, in the cracks obtained. They also grow a wide range fruit trees.
During Covid they rented their cave house out.
Yucca fruits are small bananas with soft and nutritious pulp. These were planted at the MARSALA CAVE PARK and found their perfect habitat.
In addition to the spontaneous plants you can enjoy these little delicacies.
The healing properties of wild fennel have been known for a long time. This plant is rich in essential oil, vitamins and mineral salts.
Golden helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum), also known as Immortelle or Everlasting, is highly prized for its exceptional skin-regenerating, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. It is commonly used to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and blemishes, while promoting a youthful, glowing complexion.
The harvest of capers,
characterized by an unmistakable flavor. (Photos from the park)
The caper plant is a shrub that lives on walls, has exile pots, pendulums with thick leaves and a bit flesh; the flowers are large, white in color.
Maybe not everyone knows that the caper is not the fruit but the flower bud of the plant.
Harvesting of capers usually starts at the end of May, but it depends on the years and time, and everything is done exclusively by hand, in the coolest hours of the day. Cappers cannot be consumed freshly picked because they contain very bitter substances. That's why they call for salting.
Capers are buds of the capillary capparius plant that looks like a bush and grows on limestone surfaces.
These buds produce beautiful white flowers. In turn, the fruit called cocuncio is produced: it is much like a capper but larger in size. Capers are rich in antioxidants, sodium and mineral salts such as calcium, copper, magnesium and vitamins A, C, E and K. Benefits include protection of the joints and cartilage, circulation even in the case of hemorrhoids and varicose veins, anti-caecal effect, anti-cholesterol (ideal for those who follow a low calorie diet). Side effects include hyperthyroidism, goiter and hypertension.Læs mere
Circus
3. februar, Italien ⋅ 🌬 17 °C
Marsala
4. februar, Italien ⋅ 🌬 14 °C
Coral
8. februar, Italien ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
A historic jeweller's shop: since 1921 the Fiorenza family has been running this ancient goldsmith's workshop and making the most intricate creations using all types of precious materials: coral, ivory, pearls, precious stones, silver and gold.
The founder of the firm was Pasquale Fiorenza, who opened his goldsmith's workshop in 1921, specialising in coral work, where he trained his son Platimiro Fiorenza, considered the greatest master of coral in Sicily.
Today his daughter Rosadea continues the family tradition by running the business and promoting the art of coral through exhibitions and publications.
The RossoCorallo project, conceived in 2012 by Rosadea Fiorenza, aims at increasing the knowledge of the Trapani area in search of local identity, by recounting the artistic tradition of coral carving, which has always characterized the town of Trapani, through the works of Platimiro Fiorenza, known as the last coral craftsman, and who has been included in the Register of Intangible Heritage of Sicily in the list of Living Human Treasures protected by UNESCO. He is also credited with knowing how to keep up the attention for the art of coral in Trapani, instilling it in the hearts of the many young people trained in his workshop.
Platimiro Fiorenza was born in Trapani in 1944. The son of a goldsmith and coral craftsman, he grew up in his father's workshop and at the age of just seven began to work with gold, silver and coral, learning about stones and making his first engravings, attracting the attention and interest of maestro Domenico Li Muli.Læs mere
Abbey of San Mercuriale
21. februar, Italien ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
The Abbey of San Mercuriale (1178-1181), dedicated to the first Bishop of Forlì and belonging to the Lombard Romanesque architectural style, is a historic building of extraordinary religious, artistic, and civil importance. Dominated by the impressive Lombard-style bell tower (standing more than 70 meters high), the abbey stands on what was probably a cemetery area, outside the walls, where the bishops of the first Christian community of Forlì were buried. Its current appearance is the result of intense restoration work carried out in the early 20th century.
The façade is home to a true masterpiece in the form of embellishments on the lunette of the entrance doors. Namely, high-relief work known as Sogno e adorazione dei Magi (“Dream and Adoration of the Magi”), dating to the early 13th century and attributed to the Maestro dei Mesi from Ferrara (a master sculptor who remains anonymous). This sculptural work is thought to be one of the first sculpted nativity scenes.Læs mere
General Forli centre
21. februar, Italien ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
BAROQUE in Forli
21. februar, Italien ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
San Domenico Civic Museum, Guido da Montefeltro Square.
BAROQUE. The great theater of ideas
The Building The San Domenico complex consists of a church adjacent to a first cloister – which is entirely self-contained – in addition to a second cloister that is open on one side. The original church, built in the 13th century, was smaller than the current one. In the Renaissance period, when the church was expanded, the nave was extended by bringing forward the façade and adding chapels. The church eventually assumed its current structure, with renovations complete in 1704.
During the Napoleonic era, the church was deconsecrated and designated for military use, becoming permanent state property between 1866 and 1867. From that time onwards, it was subject to continuous deterioration. This was halted only in the 1990s, when a comprehensive restoration project was launched and it was made to house the civic museum and major exhibits.Læs mere
Castello Di Montebello
22. februar, Italien ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
From the height of its 436 meters, Montebello (fraction of Torriana, Rimini) dominates the Marecchia and Uso valley, offering its visitor a fascinating panorama.
Its powerful Rocca has a thousand years of history to tell: it was not by chance placed to guard a street, the one that goes up the Valmarecchia of great strategic value since it represented the main connection with Montefeltro and Tuscany, and undoubtedly represents one of the most interesting historical buildings of the Magnoria Malatesta in the entire Romagna territory.
There are 3 different historical periods enclosed inside.
After the Romans, we lose track of Montebello until the year 1186. In that year the family Maltalone sold Montebello to the Malatesta family. The Malatestas built the Medieval Fortress on Montebello which included three external wall rings, walk on both sides and the hexagonal main tower.
In 1460 Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta ruled the family, he was a brave soldier and a skillful politician, but he had become a matter of concern for all the other families which allied themselves with the Pope. He was finally defeated in 1462 and all his territories were taken away (except Rimini) and distributed to the other families.
In 1464 Montebello was given to the family Guidi who are still the owners of Montebello. They decided to transform part of the castle in a more comfortable Renaissance villa adding wider rooms and lots of furniture. The family left Montebello in 1797 when they took refuge in Rome before Napoleon's arrival, but before leaving the castle they hid all the precious pieces of furniture in underground tunnels.
The castle was abandoned until the 2nd World War when it became a German outpost and was heavily bombed by the allies which destroyed parts of the upper floors of the castle. Luckily, the Guidis decided to refurbish the whole castle in the 60's and it was opened to public in 1989.
Inside the castle you can see some of the furniture found in the underground tunnels. It's very rare to have such a large collection of original pieces which are dated between the 13" and 18 centuries.
The first room on the left has a wonderful archway overlooking the courtyard (see photo) and the first thing people will notice is that it has a slight slope to it. Montebello didn't have water, it was impossible to build a well as it is on hard rock so, in the past, they would collect the water from the roof through the window, letting it flow through some tanks positioned in this room in order to purify it before finally being collected in a big tank in the courtyard
There are some sofas and armchairs dating back to the 17 century. Sofas were used by women and built so they could just lean on the edge because of their wide dresses and small height.
One of the two safes of Montebello. It dates back to the 16 century, it's made of wood and covered in iron slabs outside, but it's special because it has 5 locks. The Lord of the castle would keep one of the keys and give the other 4 to trusted people outside of the castle. Only when all 5 were present in the castle the safe could be opened. This is still a system used in banks! The window of this room shows how wide the walls of the castle are reaching 1.90 m and a beautiful view on San Marino.
The other safe dating back to the 18 century and weighs about 1200Kgs. It was probably built here and never moved. This one has a much more complicated lock hidden under one of the studs that cover it. There are small trunks dating back to the 14 century and they were used by women to carry their dowry.
The main room of the castle, the banqueting hall. In the past musicians, singers and other artists would entertain guests from the wooden balcony. Guests would sit around the table, called "bat-table" for its lateral wings which allowed to enlarge the table when needed. If you look under the table, you'll notice a hole in which they would place a brazier full of hot ashes to keep both the guests and the food warm. As there are no fireplaces in Montebello.
The sideboard dates back the 16th century and it's a unique piece of furniture. In Italian it's called "credenza" and this comes from the Italian verb "credere" which means "to believe/to trust". The Lord of the castle had a servant called
"credenziere" who would place all the trays with food on the sideboard and taste them in front of the guests, then the Lord of the castle would say: "I have served you with a credenza ceremony". In a nutshell: "you can trust me; the food is not poisoned"!
Upstairs:An ancient chapel which was partly destroyed by the bombing of the Second World War; you can still see part of the altar and in the centre a Virgin Mary with Child.
Before entering the ancient fortress, you will walk in front of the Guidis coat of arms: a Saxon cross colored in light blue and yellow. Blue symbolizes power, the Guidis were as powerful as the blue of the sky: yellow symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
The Medieval Fortress was built to keep enemy soldiers out, so it's full of little traps which worked as an alarm system. The first are the stairs, the corridor allows only one person at a time to go through and the steps have different heights. If you imagine the ancient soldiers dressed in metal armours and heavy weapons, running towards the main hexagonal tower, you can also imagine how easily they could trip over and fall, making a lot of noise.
The next trap is the little door, it was built with a sort of optical illusion so if you look at it from the steps it looks a normal door but it's only 1.60m so soldiers would either bang their head or lean down showing their neck, which was the only part of their body not protected by metal.
The hexagonal tower room is accessed by a very challenging staircase, not only the steps here have different heights but they are also sloped outwards.
There is a collection of dowry trunks dated between the 14th & 17th century. The oldest one has a rounded shape because if it fell in water, it would float and be easily saved. They were usually waterproof inside so nothing would get wet. In the past, only if the dowry was in good condition the girl could marry, otherwise she was sent back to her family to become a nun. A green trunk belonged to Teodera Gonzaga and since her family was very rich and powerful, this trunk is covered in silk and has gold locks.
The hole in the floor is above the main entrance and it was used as a "murder hole" (see photo). In Medieval times they would pour from this hole a lethal boiling sticky ball made of quicklime, resin and tar. It would stick the metal armours causing great pain and death to the enemy soldiers. Everyone knew this could happen, so they carried little daggers to end their suffering.
The oven (looked like a pizza oven) is probably Roman and it's special because it hasn't got a chimney. The smoke would go out of the windows, as there was no glass, but also be absorbed by the special rock around the oven.
Azzurrina's room: The castle of Montebello is also the background to a Medieval legend.
The legend says that on the 21" June 1375 a little girl called Guendalina who lived in the castle disappeared. Guendalina was affected by albinism and for that period we can imagine how dangerous it could have been for her: she could have been burned as a witch. Her parents knew this and wanted to keep her safe in Montebello, they would dye her hair with herbs but the result was a light blue color, so her nickname became "Azzurrina" (Light Blue).
On the 21 June 1375, summer solstice, she was playing with a ball made of cloth while two soldiers were keeping an eye on her, suddenly the ball rolled down the steps going to the ice-house, a sort of Medieval cave where they would store food in the winter. Azzurrina went to fetch her ball and suddenly screamed, the two soldiers run down to check on her but she had disappeared together with her ball.
This story was told by the people of the village until a priest wrote it down in the 17° century, adding an extra detail: the people who lived in the castle would hear Azzurina's voice every lustrum, the equivalent of 5 years, from her disappearance.
When the castle of Montebello was opened to public, some technicians started recording in this room the sounds for the whole night of the 21st June every 5 years. We have 5 recordings of "anomalies" to let you listen. The biggest peculiarity of these sounds is that the little voice corresponds to the one of a child aged between 5 and 9 and it is always on the same frequency, it hasn't changed.
The prison -The Lord of Montebello didn't have the right to sentence prisoners to death, he could only put them in prison for one month. But he would put them in this small cubicle naked, on their knees, tied up with a chain from their neck to their feet, fed with just bread and water once a day. They usually committed suicide after a few days.Læs mere
The Streets of Ravenna
23. februar, Italien ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
SAN SALVATORE AD CALCHI
The building stands on the ancient complex of the palace of the king of the Goths Theodoric(454-526). In origin, it must served as guard (6th-8th century) and then it was changed into a narthex in front of the church San Salvatore ad Calchi, which was destroyed at the beginning of the 16th century. The face brick facade presents an arched central opening surmounted by an ample niche, on the sides mullioned windows held up by marble columns. Inside there are interesting fragments of floor mosaics that were found in the area of the imperial palace of Theodoric.Læs mere
A Mosaic Day in Ravenna
23. februar, Italien ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
The so- called Mausoleum of Galla Placidia (5th century), a splendid building on a plan of a latin cross, is completely bare on the exterior and sumptuously decorated inside with marbles and mosaics.
It's a casket that contains the oldest mosaics in Ravenna.
The building dating to the first half of the 5th century was commissioned by Empress Galla Placidia.
The Basilica of San Vitale (6th century) commissioned by Emperor Justinian together with the cultured members of the Church of Ravenna and consecrated by Archbishop Maximian (546-556AD.) is an extraordinary example of unity of mosaic art and architecture.
The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo (6th century) dating to the commission of the arian King Theoderic who wanted the interior decorated with splendid mosaics, later integrated by the byzantine.
It's the most important testimony of meeting of romanitas and barbaritas.
The Neonian Baptitery
(5th century) so-called
Orthodox Baptistery, was built by the bishop Orso in the 5th century but mosaics were added 50 years later by the bishop Neone. In its interior, the magnificent mosaic ofthe dome has a central scene: St. John the Baptist who baptizes Jesus surrounded by the Apostles and a sequence of thrones and altars.
The Archbishop's Chapel of
St. Andrew is guarded as a gemstone inside the Bishop's Palace. It was the private chapel of the bishops of Ravenna and it was built and decorated with mosaics from 494 till 519. Set up inside the rooms of the Bishop's Palace, the collection of the Archiepiscopal Museum contains epigraphs, the Cathedral treasure, remains of mosaics from the ancient Basilica of Ursus and above all the ivory throne of the bishop Maximian (6th century).Læs mere
Dante Alighieri
23. februar, Italien ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
SAN FRANCESCO
The church erected between the 9th and 10th centuries, rises on the place where there used to be a more ancient religious building built in the 5th century for the wish of the Bishop Neone (Basilica Apostolorum). Since 1261 the church has been dedicated to St.
Francis of Assisi. In 1321 the funeral of Dante Alighieri was celebrated and still today it belongs to the so called "Dantesque part of town". The church was restored several times both inside and outside and an important restorng took place in 1793 by Petro Zumaglinı.
The underground crypt is what remains of the medieval basilica.
Tear entice en roof tenorates
him by issuing an Encyclical Letter, and by the restoration of the Church of Saint Peter Major in Ravenna, popularly known as San Francesco, where Dante's funeral was celebrated. Benedict XV added that: "Alighieri is our own...
Indeed, who can deny that our Dante nurtured and fanned the flame of his genius and poetic gifts by drawing inspiration from the Catholic faith, to such an extent that he celebrated the sublime mysteries of religion in a poem almost divine?"
In 1302 he was exiled from Florence. He thus became an exile, a "pensive pilgrim" reduced to a state of "grievous poverty" (Convivio, I, III, 5). His final place of exile was Ravenna, where he was hospitably received by Guido Novello da Polenta. There he died on the night between 13 and 14 September 1321.
In exile, Dante's love for Florence, betrayed by the "iniquitous Florentines" (Ep. VI, 1), was transformed into bittersweet nostalgia. Dante, pondering his life of exile, radical uncertainty, fragility, and constant moving from place to place, sublimated and transformed his personal experience, making itaparadigm of the human condition, viewed as a journey - spiritual and physical.
Dante's journey, especially as it appears in the Divine Comedy, was truly a journey of desire, ofa deep interiorresolve to change his life, to discover happiness and to show the way to others who, like him, find themselves in a "forest dark" after losing "the right way".
Dante champions the dignity and freedom of each human being as the basis for decisions in life and for faith itself. Freedom, Dante reminds us, is not an end unto itself; it is a condition for rising constantly higher.
Dante today - if we can presume to speak for him - does not wish merely to be read, commented on, studied and analyzed. Rather, he asks to be heard and even imitated; he invites us to become his companions on the journey. Today, too, he wants to show us the route to happiness, the right path to live a fully human life, emerging from the dark forest in which we lose our bearings and the sense of our true worth.
At this particular moment in history, overclouded by situations of profound inhumanity and a lack of confidence and prospects for the future, the figure of Dante, prophet of hope and witness to the human desire for happiness, can still provide us with words and examples that encourage us on our journey. Dante can help us to advance with serenity and courage on the pilgrimage of life and faith that each of us is called to make, until our hearts find true peace and true joy, until we arrive at the ultimate goal of all humanity: "The Love which moves the sun and the other stars"Læs mere
Nursery Visit
25. februar, Italien ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Love the colour contrast.
A drive and walk in the sun
25. februar, Italien ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Santa Sofia region
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
26. februar, Italien ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, located in Milan, Italy, is the world's oldest active shopping arcade and a premier 19th-century landmark. Designed by Giuseppe Mengoni and built between 1865 and 1877, this four-story, glass-and-iron arcade connects the Duomo and La Scala opera house. It is known as il salotto di Milano (Milan's living room)
Is Italy's oldest active shopping arcade and a major landmark of Milan. Housed within a four-story double arcade in the centre of town, the Galleria is named after Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of the Kingdom of Italy.
The main building of the University of Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano), known as Ca' Granda (the "Great House"), was originally built as a major hospital for the poor.
Original Purpose (1456–1923): Commissioned by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, and designed by the architect Filarete, it was founded in 1456 as the Ospedale Maggiore (Major Hospital) to provide medical care to the poor and sick.
Transformation into a University: After operating as a hospital for nearly 500 years, the building was severely damaged during World War II bombings in 1943. Following restoration, it was converted into the university headquarters and inaugurated for academic use in 1958.
The Structure: The Renaissance-style building still retains its original columned cloisters, a church, and, in certain sections, remnants of its history, including the "Crypt of the Ca' Granda" where anatomical studies once took place.Læs mere
Milan Duome Catherdral
26. februar, Italien ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Milan's Duomo, with its imposing Gothic architecture, is an iconic symbol of the city. Few buildings turn out to be grandiose both inside and out, and Milan Cathedral is one of them. The Gothic façade, the glorious interior, as well as the roof, are a true work of art.
It is one of the world's largest Gothic cathedrals, located in the heart of the city. It's 515 ft (157 meters) long and 302 ft (92 m) wide. It can house up to 40.000 people. Il Duomo di Milano is one of the largest Catholic churches in the world.
The statue portraying Saint Bartholomew was sculpted by Marco d'Agrate in 1562. According to tradition, the apostle Bartholomew preached as far as Armenia, where he brought Christianity in the 1st century before being martyred. The saint is depicted flayed, holding a knife-the instrument of his martyrdom-in one hand and the Gospel in the other. His own skin hangs from his shoulders down over his body and his hands, feet and bearded face with curly hair can be seen amongst the folds. What strikes the viewer is undoubtedly the extraordinary anatomical representation, in which the veins and bundles of muscle fibres are carefully detailed. The depiction of the saint's body clearly expresses the scientific interests of the time and is devoid of any pathos. In the 16th century, the study of anatomy was widespread, not only in the medical field but also amongst artists. It is worth noting that the first treatise on anatomy, Fabrica by Andreas Vesalius, was published in 1543 in Venice and that Da Vinci, at length active in Milan, had dedicated himself to the study of the human body, leaving an important oeuvre of anatomical drawings.
The base bears a later inscription that reads: "NON ME PRAXITELES SED MARC(US) FINXIT AGRATIS," meaning "Praxiteles did not sculpt me, but Marco d'Agrate", comparing the greatness of his work to that of the renowned Attic sculptor. The artist, coming from a family of sculptors, was mainly active in Lombardy during the mid-16th century, with Saint Bartholomew undeniably being his most famous work.
Originally positioned outside the Cathedral, the sculpture was moved inside to the retrochoir in 1664 so as to be better admired. In the early 20th century, it was relocated to where Christ at the Column by Cristoforo Solari now stands. Following recent restoration, it has been returned to its historic location.Læs mere
Museum Duomo di Milano
26. februar, Italien ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
The Museum of the Duomo of Milan identifies its essence in its very name. It is a museum originating from the cathedral, from which all the works on display have been taken and which constantly refers to it.
WELCOME TO
MILAN DUOMO MUSEUM
Inaugurated in 1953 and gradually expanded until its most recent refurbishment in 2013, the Museum is located within the Royal Palace.
Its rooms house The Treasury and original works of art from the
Cathedral. The exhibition itinerary presents the main stages of construction in chronological order, covering a timeframe from circa 1386 to 1965, the year in which the fifth and final façade door was inaugurated.
A centuries-long history supported by the never-ending industriousness of the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano, the institution established in 1387 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, then Lord of Milan, to oversee the
construction of the nascent Cathedral.
The Fabbrica del Duomo is still responsible today for the maintenance and enhancement of the Monument, as well as for the entire marble supply chain: from its excavation af the Candoglia Quarry, in Piedmont, to its processing at the Marble Workshop, up to the placing of the
marble pieces on the Monument.
THE GARGOYLES
Late Gothic Naturalism
There are 150 gargoyles placed on the Duomo and they perform the function of drainage channels for the collection of rainwater from the Cathedral's roof. In this room it is possible to admire some of the oldest examples, dating back to the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15th century, removed from the outside of the Cathedral for conservation and safety reasons.
Once placed at the ends of the flying buttresses, the gargoyles- known as doccioni in Italian -are functional and decorative elements of Gothic architecture that have taken on zoomorphic forms over the centuries.
In this room, there is a succession of figures that fully fall into the large imaginative basin of fantastic naturalism, characteristic of mediaeval bestiaries.
THE STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS
Panels from the 15th to the 16th century
Original panels can be seen displayed in this room, examples of the heterogeneity of the Duomo's stained-glass corpus that has over 164 large windows, of which 55 are historiated, animated by over 3,000 characters.
Glass art in the Duomo has followed the events of the construction site in parallel. The decision to fit out the Cathedral with historiated windows, which in Gothic architecture carry an important educational function, dates back to 1403. The term historiated refers to the structure of the stained-glass window, made up of numerous panes called panels, arranged in such a way as to illustrate the biblical and evangelical stories and the lives of the Saints in successive episodes. In this way, even those unable to read could have access to the knowledge of sacred events. For this reason, stained-glass windows are known as Biblia Pauperum, the Pauper's Bible.
The technique
The creation of an ancient stained-glass window required a complex technique. Firstly, a sketch of the composition was made, which then needed to be transferred to a full-scale cartoon. The sketch and cartoon were usually carried out by a painter. The glass, coloured with substances such as oxidised metals and worked to produce sheets of modest dimensions, were then cut by the master glassmaker according to the design of the cartoon.
The pieces were painted with grisaille, made of oxidised metals, glass powder, and an aqueous or oily binder. In this way, the fundamental details obtained for the correct understanding of the images such as faces, architecture, folds of clothing, and tree leaves were painted. Next followed the leading, fixing the pieces to one another with lead, and the grouting, or the sealing between the lead and the glass. Finally, the panel was placed in a special frame, which was then mounted on the interior structure of the windows and protected externally by metal mesh.
THE WOODEN MODELS
From the 16th to the 19th century
This room preserves the surviving architectural models used over the centuries as fundamental work tools to evaluate the design choices under consideration by the architects in charge of
the Cathedral.
The Model of the Duomo in the centre of this room, with its impressive size, reproduces the building on a scale of 1:22. Carved between 1519 and 1891 in lime wood and walnut and integrated with spruce, the Model was modified over the centuries by various artists.
The inlaid façade is not the current one built following the Amati and Zanoja project, but rather shows Giuseppe Brentano's one, an architect who won the tender announced by the
Fabbrica in 1888 for the reconstruction of the front due to the enormous bequest left by
Aristide De Togni. His proposal - never carried out - foresaw the demolition of the lower part of the façade and the construction of three large doors, and not five like today.
The room also houses three other wooden models of the façade, projects exemplifying the different trends that animated the centuries-old debate on how to complete the front. To be appreciated is the juxtaposition between the semi-façades by Carlo Buzzi (1654) and
Francesco Castelli (1652), the former being solution-orientated in conformity with the
Gothic Revival style and the latter being a Roman-style solution, in the wake of the 16th-century proposals of the architect Pellegrino Pellegrini.
Luca Beltrami and Gaetano Moretti are instead the artists of the last model (1889-1891), which was created for the occasion of the tender announced in 1881 by the Brera Academy of Fine Arts.Læs mere
Gardens by the Bay
28. februar, Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
The Arapaima is the largest freshwater fish of South America, reaching lengths of more than 2 metres.
The diet of the Arapaima consists mainly of fishes and crustaceans.
Its hard scales are underlain with layers of collagen fibre, giving the fish mobility while being heavily armoured. This allows it to survive in piranha-infested lakes.
Silk Floss Tree
Ceiba speciosa
FAMILY NAME: MALVACEAE
THE CANYON
Native Distribution:
Brazil to Argentina
Etymology:
Ceiba - from the South American vernacular name for the silk cotton tree; speciosa - showy, referring to the flower
The Silk Floss Tree is related to the tropical Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra) and their fruits• also produce cotton fibres, which can be used for stuffing. The tree usually sheds its leaves and bears several flowers at once. Different trees vary from one another with flowers in shades of white, pink or magenta.Læs mere
Singapore
1. marts, Singapore ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
KEPPEL HARBOUR
Keppel Harbour has been a thriving maritime gateway for international trade since the late 19th century. It was originally known as New Harbour and was renamed in honour of Admiral Henry Keppel in 1900. From 1939 to the early 1940s, Allied soldiers came through this harbour to strengthen the defence of Singapore and the rest of Malaya. Thousands of civiliars and troops made their escape through Keppel Harbour before Singapore fell on 15 February 1942. During the Second War World, Allied commandos carried out Operation Jaywick (26 to 27 September 1943) and destroyed seven Japanese ships that were stationed at Keppel Harbour.
There was a special operation undertaken in the Second World War. In September 1943, 14 commandos and sailors from the Allied Z Special Unit raided Japanese shipping in Singapore Harbour, sinking three ships and damaging three more. They would use folboats (collapsible canoes) to attach limpet mines to Japanese ships
⚓️ March 1942- Acombined Allied military intelligence organisation, was established
⚓️ June 1942- a commando arm was organised as Z Special Unit. Initial training for the raid at Hawkesbury River, New South Wales and named Camp X, after a test run on the Yarra River, Alphington.
⚓️ Mid-1943- Krait travelled from a training camp at Broken Bay, New South Wales to Thursday Island.
⚓️13 August 1943- Krait left Thursday Island for Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia.
⚓️ 1 September 1943- Krait left Exmouth Gulf and departed for Singapore.
⚓️ 24 September -Krait arrived off Singapore. That night, six men left the boat and paddled 50 km with folboats, to establish a forward base in a cave on a small island near the harbour.
⚓️ 25/26 September 1943- They would use folboats (collapsible canoes) to paddled into the harbour and attach limpet mines to Japanese ships
⚓️ 26 September- mines exploded
Arrival of the Year of the Horse
Gallop into the Year of the Horse with the Singapore Botanic Gardens! This horse sculpture was repurposed from gunny rope and used fencing materials. Portrayed in a rearing position to embody victory, it emerges from a display of plants with names that associate with it, such as the Rough Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) and Horse-bush (Dendrolobium umbellatum).
Behind the Horse, a sign with the Chinese character for spring (f), along with the bushels of pussy willow (Salix caprea) with their silky white buds, signifies the arrival of spring and warming up of the land. Plants bounce back to life with their green shoots decorated by various shades of auspicious red and gold.
Common Red Stem-Fig
(Ficus variegata)
The figs (fruits) grow on the trunk, often in prolific masses. Each fig contains hundreds of tiny flowers that are pollinated by minute wasps living in association with the flowers. The figs are edible but quite tasteless. The tree has a very fibrous bark that has been used as a source of bark-cloth.
LEONG SAN SEE TEMPLE
Leong San See Temple ("Dragon Mountain Temple" in Mandarin) is one of Singapore's most ornate Buddhist temples. It was established by Reverend Chun Wu in 1917, who arrived in Singapore in 1913 with only an urn and a statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The temple was initially named Leong San Lodge and consisted of a few huts where Reverend Chun took care of the sick, with the central hut housing the Goddess of Mercy.
The present temple, a conserved building, was constructed in 1926 with building materials imported from China and funds contributed by merchant and philanthropist Tan Boon Liat. The reconstructed temple has an altar with an image of Confucius, which is popular with parents who bring their children to pray for intelligence and filial piety. On certain days, free vegetarian food is served to devotees in the ancestral hall.
Ma zu Goddess
Ma Zu, the Goddess of the sea, is the deified form of Lin Moniang, a shaman from Fujian who lived in the late 10th century. Traditionally, Ma Zu Goddess was believed to roam the seas, protecting her believers through miraculous interventions. Today, she is generally regarded by her believers as a powerful and benevolent Queen of Heaven.
The origin of worshiping Ma Zu:
Ma Zu Goddess is closely linked to the maritime culture of southern China. She was a skilled shaman and healer, and she was known for her ability to communicate with
the gods and spirits of the sea.
Ma Zu Goddess worship spread rapidly throughout China's coastal regions and overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. This was due in part to case in part to the large number of Chinese people who migrated to these regions by sea.
Ma Zu Goddess is also associated with a number of miraculous stories. For example, she is said to have saved countless lives from shipwrecks and storms. She is also said to have helped fishermen and sailors find bountiful fishing grounds.
Dou Mu Yuan Jun
Dou Mu Yuat Jun, also known as the Mother of the Big Dipper, is a Tacist goddess who is venerated for her powers to bestow longevity, protect from harm, and grant good fortune She is also believed to be the keeper of the Book of Life and Death, and is often invoked by those seeking to prolong their lives or avoid calamities.
The origin of worship:
Her worship can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (206
BC-220 AD), when she was first mentioned in the book
"Shan Hai Jing" In this book, she is described as a goddess who lives in the constellation of the Big Dipper and is responsible for governing the stars and planets.
In the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), Dou Mu Yuan Jun's worship became even more popular. This was due in part to the publication of the book "Daozang" which contains a number of texts that praise her powers and virtues.
Today, Dou Mu Yuan Jun is one of the most popular Taoist goddesses. She is worshipped throughout China, as well as in other parts of Asia, such as Singapore and Malaysia.
SAKYA MUNI BUDDHA GAYA TEMPLE
This temple is dedicated to Buddha who is also known as Sakya Muni. It was founded by Venerable Vutthissara, a monk from Thailand, in 1927.
Originally a wooden structure, the temple was rebuilt with funds donated by devotees. This building is reminiscent of a Thai wat (temple) as it features a stupa and a Thai-style roof. It is also known as "Temple of a Thousand Lights" for the many lights surrounding its 15-metre Buddha statue which depicts Buddha's posture when he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, India.Læs mere
