Here are some pictures of the tasty treats of Italy.
I must admit my eyes kept popping out of my head when I saw all the delicious delectable delicacies. Walking by all the wonderful shop windows was glorious! Yum! I, of course, could not make up my mind what to get, so I got lots of things to take back to the Villa.
But, not before I treated myself to a scrumptious ice cream Sundae!
The first dog show in Barga
Organised by the association for the defence of animals “L’Arca della Valle” will be held in the medieval town of Barga on the traditional “Bastione sul Fosso”.
The 5 categories are the best breed dog, the best mongrel, the cutest puppy (3 to 6 months), one for our old faithful friends ( 8 years +) and the original “twin-set” category dedicated to owners that look like their pet dogs (or vice-versa)!
Subscriptions open from 12 to 2 pm. Fun for all the family guaranteed!
For more information send an e-mail to arcadellavalle@virgilio.it or call Sonia (english speaking) after 6 pm at 347.2590283. Starts 14,30 on 24 April.
La Specola
The construction of La Specola, of which there are still numerous plans, was begun by the architect, Lorenzo Nottolini, in 1819 at the request of Maria Luisa of Bourbon who wished to make the park of Villa di Marlia, below into an astronomy observatory dedicated to Urania, but the work was never completed.
The hillside chosen for its construction was and ideal point for observing the sky, and its splendid panoramic position above the plain was free from surrounding buildings and gave 360° view of the horizon.
The Maritime Museum of Viareggio
In the restored premises of the old Viareggio fish market, built in 1933, there is a permanent exhibition which illustrates the origins and identity of the Versilia area: the Maritime Museum. The museum was first thought of long ago in 1920 by the “Centenary Committee of Viareggio Town” but it was the League of Master Carpenters and Caulkers which, forty years later, and the end the 1960’s, gathered the first exhibits to shows in a the future museum. The museum shows the history and techniques linked to boat building and navigation, with particular attention to the activity which has historically developed in Viareggio, thus taking of the role of “a place of memory” for the conservation, knowledge and vauling of the culture, thanks to the gathering together of exhibits which testify to the maritime hearitage of Viareggio, documenting the links of works, ingenuity and pain between Viareggio and the sea.
The heritage amounts to more than a thousand pieces subdivided into sections: the shipyards and the craftsmanship of the master carpenters and caulkers, the onboard fittings and nautical instruments, the claw divers, the historic documents and artistic testaments, the model of ships, the people of the sea, the splendour and fading of the sail era.
Also of interest is the record of human underwater adventure, such as the claw divers, famous recovery ships. In the 1930’s the claw divers caught the attention and interest of the whole world after the recovery of the gold and silver from the wreck of the Egypt, the English transatlantic ship sunk in the English Channel in 1922. Undertaking a recovery at that time was judged to be impossible. This feat in the 1930’s is unequalled even today, for deep sea recovery.
Among the most valuable exhibits is the telescope belonging to Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the great romantic poets, whose ship, which left on the 8th July 1822 from Livorno bound for San Terenzo, was wrecked in a violent storm after just a few hours into its voyage. The body of Shelley was whashed up on the beach of Viareggio in front of the Villa of Paolina Bonaparte. On the 10th September 1822 his ship was also recovered, sunk around 15 miles off the Viareggio coast, along with part of its cargo: a trunk, various bottles, books and various items for the journey, among which was his telescope. Apart from ships in bottles and other maritime objects, the museum also has a strong virtual component, the best parts of which are films, photos, and a telecommunications archive.
VOLTERRA
Volterra is an Etruscan city of great architectural interest. Built on a high plateau, 1770 feet above sea level between the Rivers of Bra and Cecina, there are spectacular views of the surrounding hills. Enclosed by yellowy-gray volcanic hills, it has a bleak and isolated appearance. In the Etruscan period, Volterra, called Felathri by the Etruscans and Voltarrae by the Romans was one of the most important cities in the Etruscan Confederation. From the period of the kings, it was at war with Rome. Remains of the ancient surrounding walls, including the Etruscan Porta dell’ Arco, may still be seen today. Also surviving are ruins of the baths, an aqueduct, an amphitheatre, and Etruscan burial places. The city is famous for its craftsmen who carve statues out of the locally mined alabaster.
Palazzo dei Priori, the medieval seat of the government on the Piazza dei Priori, is the oldest of its kind in Tuscany probably inspired the design for the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence It is in the heart of Volterra, enclosed by an almost totally medieval group of buildings. Built between 1208 and 1257, it is still used for town council meetings. It is situated on the medieval rectangular Piazza dei Priori. It was a market place as early as 851.
Baptistry was erected on an octagonal base that has been dated as 13th century. The façade is adorned with stripes of white and green marble and the main entrance is surmounted by an architrave decorated with the sculptured heads of Christ, the Virgin and the apostles, a work of an artist close to Nicola Pisano. It is said that Brunelleschi offered advice for the construction of the dome in the 15th century.
Duomo has a Romanesque façade and is interposed by the geometric intarsia marble framework of the main entrance added in the 13th century and attributed by Vasari to Nicola Pisano. The entrance is through the baptistry, as you couldn’t enter until you were baptized. One of the most spectacular sights is the 1580 ceiling that is carved and embossed in gold and azure and is filled with portraits of Volterran saints.
Guarnacci Museo is one of Italy’s major archeological museums and one of the earliest public museums in Europe. It consists entirely of local finds, including some 600 Etruscan funerary urns. Carved in alabaster, terracotta or local sandstone or limestone, they date from the fourth to first centuries BC.
Alabaster Workshops in the historical center today are few, but those which remain have been entrusted with the preservation of this ancient tradition and the creative evolution of the craft. Volterra’s alabaster is of the chalky variety ( hydrated calcium sulphate) and was formed during the Miocene period as the sediments of calcium sulphate contained in the sea water underwent a process of concentration. A soft white stone, alabaster is more easily carved than marble. Once the stone of the gods, the Etruscans were the first to carve alabaster for their cinerary urns. The Etruscans chose the highest quality pure alabaster which they painted with minerals and sometimes decorated with a very thin layer of gold. Very few artifacts from the Medieval and Renaissance periods have been found which suggests that alabaster was seldom carved during that era. The alabaster craft was reestablished in the 17th century and flourished at the beginning of the 18th century as skilled artisans and sculptors launched the reproduction of classical art and high quality artifacts renowned throughout the world.
In 1780 the Grand Duchy of Tuscany registered 8 or 9 artisan workshops in Volterra. By 1830 the number had risen to more than 60 thanks to the innovative spirit of the “traveling craftsmen” who traveled the world selling their wares, opening shops, taking part in fairs and auctions. Until 1870 the alabaster craft flourished and harvested an excellent repute in Italy and abroad. In spite of long intervals of regression, the alabaster industry has continued to conserve the age-old tradition of the craft.
Teatro Romano is situated just outside the city walls. It is an ancient Roman theatre dating from 5 to 20 AD. The monument was built at the end of the first century BC
tasty treats of Italy.
