COLLECTORS COINS FOR ARCHITECT VANVITELLI

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the death of neo-classical architect Luigi Vanvitelli, designer of Italy's sumptuous Royal Palace of Caserta (Campania). Among the many events and commemorative initiatives, visitors can enjoy a new permanent exhibition dedicated to him in the renamed Sala Vanvitelli within the Royal Palace apartments

A special tribute comes from Italy's Treasury Ministry which has commissioned the Mint (Istituto Poligrafica e Zecca dello Stato) to issue a new series of two gold and one silver coin for collectors specially designed for the occasion, with the nominal values of 5, 10 and 20 euro.

Two of the coins feature a portrait of the maestro from the Accademia of San Luca by an unknown artist on the obverse while the reverses carry details of the works of art connected with the palace itself.

The 10 euro gold coin (2,000 pieces issued) is part of the Fountains of Italy series, launched by the Mint last year with the image of the Trevi Fountain. This coin is dedicated to the celebrated Fountain of Diana and Actaeon in the grounds of the Caserta Palace, and portrays the episode recounted in the classical legend of the goddess Diana and the hunter who surprises her bathing and is punished by being transformed into a stag.

The 20 euro gold coin (1,500 examples) features a cherubim from another Caserta fountain, dedicated to Venus and Adonis, with a glimpse of the palace facade in the background, while the 5 euro silver shows a detail of the Upper Vestibule of the Palace and the Stairway of Honour.

Contrary to what is generally thought, Luigi Vanvitelli was not Italian. He was of Dutch origin and his original family name was Van Wittel, subsequently Italianized. He died at Caserta on the 1st March 1773.

There are numerous commemorations planned throughout the years 2023-2024, so watch this space.

  1. STENHOUSE

Info: www.reggiadicaserta.cultura.gov.it www.ipzs.it

Posted on 10 Mar 2023 by Editor

PLANS TO RELAUNCH ANCIENT CALABRIA ROUTE

With the Old Appia Way finally heading for official UNESCO recognition, another ancient route – the 2,200 year-old Strada Regia di Calabria (Main Road of Calabria) – is being brought to light by historian and architect Luca Esposito, a member of the Archeoclub D'Italia, one of Italy's foremost associations for the conservation and promotion of historic artistic heritage.

After eight years of research Esposito has traced out the first part of the ancient Roman route linking Naples to Castrovillari (Cosenza) in Calabria. The route which incorporated part of the Roman Via Popilia, was virtually cancelled out by the construction of the modern A3 Salerno-Calabria Autostrada del Mediterraneo in 1962.

The original road was some 400 kms long and passed through 44 towns and villages. Its continuous use through the centuries is bourne out by the 5 UNESCO Heritage sites along the route, as well as the remains of numerous old inns, 19th century postal stations and innumerable other historic sites, all of which Esposito has traced, mapped and published in Open-Source software.

The 44 localities on the route are now pooling their resources with view to launching new tourist treks and special interest guided tours along the re-discovered Old Strada Regia.

Info: Tel. +39.0644202250 www.archeoclubitalia.it www.academia.edu

 

 

 

Posted on 06 Mar 2023 by Editor

RAMSES MUMMY ON SHOW IN ROME

 

A precise replica of the mummy of Ramses II, the most celebrated Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, is at present on show in the Piacentiniana Room of the Palazzo del Rectorate in La Sapienza University of Rome.

 

 

 

While the precious original has remained in the National Museum of the Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Egypt, advanced modern technology allows Rome visitors to admire a perfect three dimensional copy of “Il faraone immortale”, (the Immortal Pharaoh) complete with skin reconstructed with organic materials and facial features recreated by the specialists of the University's Centro SAPeri&Co research centre, according to the 3D image published by the Liverpool John Moore's University, England.

Ramses died at the venerable age of 90. According to his portrait, he was a handsome man with a prominent nose and a thin bony face.

The exhibition includes a reconstruction of the funeral chamber of Ramses from the Valley of the Kings as well as sensorial experiences, like the scent of the incense used in the embalming process, and also a historic recreation of the celebrated Battle of Qadesh (1274.BC) between the Egyptians and the Hittites.

Ramses II has the unfortunate honour of being identified with the legend of the Exodus of the Hebrew slaves from captivity in Egypt. However, modern archaeological research has found no evidence to support this story.

Info: Tel. +39.06.49694315 www.uniroma1.it polomusealesapienza@uniroma1.it

Posted on 02 Mar 2023 by Editor

CREMONA: VIOLINS AND MORE

Cremona, the “City of Violins”, has expanded its considerable cultural attractions to include Ancient Roman art. The celebrated Violin Museum is staging an exhibition of fragments of Roman murals found during excavation campaigns of luxurious Roman residences in the city centre over the past twenty years.

The title: “Pictura Tactitum Poema”, with subtitle: “Myths and Scenes from the Cremona Domus” is on show until the 21st May 2023. Of particular interest is the cycle relating to the Myth of Arianna, who helped the Greek warrior Theseus to escape from the Labyrinth after he had slain the Minotaur, and who was subsequently abandoned on the Island of Naxos by the ungrateful hero. Luckily she caught the eye of the God of Wine Dionysus who rescued her. Included among the exhibits are also votive objects from the Archaeological Museum of Mantova, Ostia Antica and Pompeii centred round the cult of the Roman household gods, known as Lares.

This is also a good opportunity to visit the museum's fascinating collection of stringed instruments, including the violins produced in Cremona by masters like Stradivari and Guarneri, still considered unsurpassed three centuries later.

Info: Tel. +39.0372.407081 www.musei.comune.cremona.it

Posted on 27 Feb 2023 by Editor

ART POLICE SAVE ITALY'S HISTORIC STATION

The Naples branch of Italy's crack corp of police dedicated to the preservation of Italy's cultural heritage, have placed the Bayard railway station – the country's oldest – under a conservation order to save it from threatened demolition. The Bayard station is the departure point of Italy's first train line, connecting Naples with Portici. The line was inaugurated with great pomp by the King of the Two Sicilies, Ferdinando II, in 1839 and the event was immortalized by the court painter Salvatore Fergola.

The journey of 7.25 kms was covered in 9 ½ minutes. There were 8 carriages drawn by a steam engine built by the English company Longridge, which the locals nicknamed “Vesuvius”. The line was subsequently expanded to include Castellammare di Stabia, Pompeii, Angri, Nocera Umbra and with a proposed link to Avellino.

The station functioned until 1866, when it was downgraded with the opening of Naples Central station and the Bayard Station and depot fell into disuse.

It is now partly incorporated into the Pietrasso Locomotive Museum. Italian Railway (Ferrovie dello Stato) have expressed interest in relaunching the station as part of its successful historic train trips operation, with view to connecting towns like Gragnano, known as the Capital of Pasta, and tourist resort towns on the Bay of Naples.

M. STENHOUSE

Info: Tel. +39.06.44103000 www.trenitalia.com/it/fondazione-fs.html

Posted on 23 Feb 2023 by Editor

THE QUEEN AT FERMI

 

 

 

 

 

Queen Elizabeth II promises to become the star attraction of the exhibition: “I Pittori della Realta” (Artists of Reality” ) running at the Palazzo dei Priori Gallery, Fermi (Marche). She shares pride of place among formidable masters spanning three centuries of art, from the '600 to the '900, including a Rubens “Adoration of the Magi” and two Giorgio de Chirico masterpieces.

The painting of the Queen, commissioned around the time of her coronation in 1953 and completed in two years by the celebrated Italian artist Piero Annigoni, was painted in Buckingham Palace between 1954-55. It was an instant success and was reproduced on banknotes and stamps all over the Commonwealth. The Fermi portrait is not, however, the original – considered too precious to be transported from London, but a perfect copy made in 1960 by Annigoni's leading apprentice, Romano Stefanelli for a private collector in Florence. It is considered an exact replica and is countersigned with the master's mark of guarantee.

The Fermi exhibition aims to highlight a lesser known aspect of the progression of art movements through three centuries when there was strong counter movements grew up against Modernism, in which groups of artists attempted to preserve the traditions of the past. Keeping the Queen company are works by artists Gregorio Sciltian, brothers Xavier and Antonio Bueno, contemporaries of Annigoni, as well as others who were part of “The Painters of Reality” movement.

The exhibition contains 80 works and is part of a cycle of cultural events centred in the Marche region throughout 2023. Running until May 2023.

Info: Tel. +39.0734.284244/347 www.fermomusei.it

Posted on 19 Feb 2023 by Editor

VIAREGGIO GIANTS CELEBRATE 150 YEARS

The Viareggio Carnival, one of Italy's most elaborate pre-Lent festivities, took off on the 4th February 2023 and culminates on Shrive Tuesday, the 25th Feb. The year's event is extra special, as the town is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its celebrated parade, which attracts tourists from all over the world.. The Viareggio (Tuscany) Carnival is arguably the most spectacular in Italy, with a procession of huge floats that parade along the seafront, many containing satirical and political messages. Nine gigantic allegorical floats compete for first prize, along with a long procession of lesser floats in other categories, surrounded by huge crowds of masked revellers and dancers. The 1st category floats are enormous constructions that loom over 125 m high over the heads of the crowds of spectators, with some 250 dancers on board. The procession is repeated on five different days of the Carnival season.

Viareggio's Carnival dates back to 1873 and has grown from strength to strength ever since, with floats designed by artists and constructed by workers in the nearby naval shipyards. In 1925, the technique of papier mache was perfected by artist Antonio D'Arliano, superseding wood and other materials. This allowed the figures to be lighter in weight and more easily modelled. The construction of the floats has become an important industry for the city with the creation of the Citadella di Carnivale workshops where artists build the gigantic figures. This year offers a special exhibition on the History of the event , staged in the Viareggio Gallery of Modern Art. The Citadella of Carnival is also open to visitors, with the Carnival Museum and the 16 hangers where the floats are built. The artists involved also turn their hands to theatre set design.

Over 25 craft workshops are involved in the creation of the scenography of the floats, which change their theme every year. This year's message is: “Dreams, Hopes, Desire for a better world.” that needs no comment.......

M.STENHOUSE

Info: Tel. +39.0584.580740 https://viareggio.ilcarnevale.com

Posted on 14 Feb 2023 by Editor

THE SECRET GARDENS OF VENICE

For many years, Venice's gardens have been a well-kept secret. Few tourists even knew about the Royal Gardens just off Piazza San Marco, commissioned by Napoleon at the end of the 18th century when he occupied the city. The landscaped 5000 sqm of peaceful paths, luxuriant vegetation, a neoclassical pavilion, pergola and a drawbridge connected with the Piazza, were finally reopened to the public in 2019 after a five year-long restoration work commissioned by the Venice Gardens Foundation and carried out by the celebrated garden architect Paolo Pejroni, a former pupil of Russell Page.

The Venice Gardens Foundation, a non profit organization. has now embarked on another project: the recovery of the gardens of the Monastery of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, which sits on the Giudecca Canal. The restoration is a joint venture, also involving the Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin, who have occupied the monastery since 1535, and the Holy See.

The monastery land covers just under 2.50 acres, stretching from the Giudecca Canal to the lagoon and includes vineyards, botanical gardens, a 400m-long pergola, a greenhouse, a bee-keeping area, an ancient chapel and a library.

According to Venice Gardens Foundation president Adele Re Rebaudengo, the gardens will subsequently be open to the public who visit the magnificent Palladio-designed Most Holy Redeemer church, (commonly referred to simply as “Il Redentore”), one of the most outstanding buildings in Venice and a city landmark.

Info: Tel. +39.041.3121700/8876621 www.venicegardensfoundation.org

Posted on 10 Feb 2023 by Editor

 

ITALY LAUNCHING “REDISCOVERING ROOTS” YEAR

 

The “Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia Association” has finally brought out is long-awaited guide book in English, under the title “The Most Beautiful Borghi of Italy”. The word “borghi” was not translated on purpose, because the “Borghi” are not simply pretty villages, but historical old towns full of works of art, landmark buildings and monuments, harmonious architecture and exclusive places of interest.

The Association, founded in 2001 to promote villages and towns outside the normal tourism circuits, has boomed over the years and now has a membership of 348 small towns scattered all over the Italian peninsula – a considerable number, considering that membership is governed by a strict criteria with 72 different parameters that have to be met to qualify.

The new English language edition was presented in London at the beginning of 2022 and will be launched in New York and Canada later in the year, in concurrence with the 2024 “Anno del Turismo delle Radici” (directed at 3rd and 4th generation Italian immigrants to encourage them to visit Italy in order to rediscover their roots), promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

The borghi listed in the book have a wide range of unexpected attractions that distinguish them from the others. Some examples: Scanno in Abruzzo is celebrated for its heart-shaped lake (a favourite for St. Valentine trips), Monteverde in Campania is the chosen nesting place for the rare black stork, little Bouville Ernica in the hinterland of Lazio possesses a forgotten Giotto angel.

Info: Tel. +39.06.45450688 www.borghipiubelliditalia.it

Posted on 06 Feb 2023 by Editor

VERONA'S FALLING STAR

Experts are still estimating the damage caused by the fall of the 78 ton “Star” comet sculpture that bridged the ancient Roman Verona amphitheatre and the outside Piazza Bra in the city centre. The massive 70m high and 82m long steel “Star of Bethlehem”, created by architect-scenographer Rinaldo Olivieri in 1984, has been a fixed feature of the Verona Christmas season ever since.

Unfortunately, its career may be over. A fatal mistake in the complex operation to remove the sculpture caused it to fall and crash into the celebrated Arena, venue of the prestigious summer opera season, causing what experts called “irreparable damage” to the cavea, which dates back to 30 AD.

The “Star” was originally meant to be one-only fixture, and was much criticized by culture experts when it was first installed, but was subsequently greeted with such affection by the local people that it has become the symbol of the Verona Christmas, erected every year.. A recent opinion poll has established that three quarters of those questioned want the Star to be repaired and set up next Christmas.

M. STENHOUSE

Info: Fondazione Arena di Verona Tel. +39.045596517 www.arena.it info@arenadiverona.it

Posted on 02 Feb 2023 by Editor

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