ItalyUpdate

FLAMINGO WATCH IN TUSCANY

According to the Italian branch of WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature), the end of winter is the best time to see flamingos at Lake Burano in Tuscany. Lake Burano (Grosseto) was the first WWF natural oasis to be established in Italy in 1967. Extending over 2 ½ acres plus a further 1,500 acres of no-hunting land, and flanking a 12 km stretch of protected coast, the shallow lake and surrounding wetlands provide refuge each year to thousands of migrating birds as well as wild animals like badgers, foxes, rabbits, weasels, wild boar, the occasional wolf and other once common species of European fauna.

The first flamingos were spotted on the lake in 1994 and ever since their noisy presence and bright pink plumage has dominated the waterways of the park during the winter months. Numbers have steadily increased with around 4000 birds registered at the last count (end 2024-beginning 2025) (Green Report.it)

Access to the protected area is reserved exclusively for tours accompanied by park guides.

Info: Tel. +39.3834231098 (for guided tours) lagodiburano@wwf.it

IN THE FOOTSYEPS OF THE BRIGANDS

The success of the resurrection of the ancient Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrimage route from France to Rome, has in recent years inspired the creation of other “Cammini”, or designated hiking tracks through the Italian mountains and countryside. Modelled on the celebrated Camino di Santiago, these walking tours envisage overnights in camp sites, monasteries or farmhouses and are signposted along the route.

A relatively recent edition is the “Brigand's Way” (Cammino Dei Briganti) which covers a total 108 kms of ancient mountainous tracks between the regions of Abruzzo and Lazio once used by shepherds and lawless outlaw bands.

Launched a few years ago by local writer and guide Luca Gianotti, this little publicized track is gaining rapidly in popularity. An estimated 7 days to complete, it starts near Tagliacozza in Abruzzo, and winds over the foothills of Mt. Velino, passing through small medieval villages and scenic beauty spots. The symbol of the trek will be a sculpture by the artist Cesare Pergola, featuring “La Carovana sul Cammino”, a procession of the typical wildlife animals of the area, led by a brigand.

Recently, the Italian government has granted official recognition of the network of hiking tracks that amble across the country, allowing grants to finance maintenance, signposting, visitor maps and the establishment of overnight accommodation.

M.STENHOUSE

Info: https://camminodeibriganti.it

“LAST JUDGEMENT” RETURNED TO ORIGINAL GLORY

Soon after Easter 2026, visitors to te Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museum will be able to enjoy a fresh renewed vision of Michaelangelo's masterpiece, “The Last Judement”.

A team of skiled restorers are already on the scaffolding at work cleaning off the deposits of salification caused by the breath, sweat and body heat of the thousands of visitors who crowd into the chapel every day.

The last major restoration of the Chapel paintings took place some thirty years ago. This time, according to Vatican Museum director Barbara Jatta, the restoration will be lighter, involving careful removal of the strata of patchy white efflorescence that has formed over the intervening years, using distilled water and soft tissue paper.

In compensation for the scaffolding erected over 180 sqm of mural and the subsequent restricted view of the painting, visitors will be able to enjoy the rare and fascinating experience of watching the restorers at work.

Info: www.vaticannews.va.it

NISCEMI – DEALING WITH NATURAL DISASTER

The recent dramatic landslide at Niscemi in western Sicily has focussed media and public attention on the fragility of many areas of Italy.

The town of Niscemi is situated in the Belice Valley, which has been regularly plagued by natural disasters. Known for its undulating hilly scenery and its impressive archaeological sites it has also had a long history of catastrophic natural events.

In modern times the most memorable has been the Belice earthquake of January 1968 that wiped out a number of villages including Gibellina, which has been resuscitated as an open air art gallery with artist Burri's celebrated “Crete” overlaying the plan of the original town and making it a celebrated monument to rebirth and a visitor attraction. However, the earthquake has also left many ghost towns, such as Poggioreale. Its deserted homes and shops, abandoned in their original crumbled state by owners who, not knowing how to cope with the subsequent financial catastrophe, emigrated mainly to the USA. Other villages, left to fall into ruin, are scattered round the valley.

It is to be hoped that the historical town of Niscemi, perched on the brink of a 25-15m high escarpment that is crumbling after the battering of the recent cyclone Harry and days of devastating rainfalls, will not share this fate. With an estimated 137 buildings teetering on the brink of a gigantic 4 km-long landslide and judged to be beyond repair, many homes will have to be sacrificed. Subsequent recovery will mean a retreat inland that may alter the town's landmark appearance.

Info: https://gibellina2026.it www.italynotes.com/stories

ODYSSEY RELIVED IN ITINERANT MUSEUM

An itinerant museum in the South of Italy highlights the spots where tradition places the various adventures of the Ancient Greek hero Ulysses on his troubled homeward journey after the Trojan War. The new Odissea Musuem therefore displays the same antiquities, installations, curiosities and work of art in its various venues, with an emphasis on the myth traditionally linked to that particular place. The new museum is part of the Italian regional museum network, based on mutual collaboration and coordination within various regional territories.

To date, the Odissea Musuem has been set up in Catanzaro, Tropea, Vibo Valentia, Palermo

and, most recently, in Altafiumara at Villa San Giovanni, on the Italian side of the Strait of Messina, which many researchers and archaeologists believe can be identified with the narrow sea passage that the hero had to manoeuvre between the deadly whirlpool Scylla and the many-headed man-eating monster Cariddi.

Trinacria, described by Homer as “the Island of the Sun” is widely believed to be Sicily, while the Li Galli Islands off the coast of Sorrento have become identified with the sirens who lured mariners to their death with their spell-casting song. The Land of the Faeci where Ulysses ultimately took refuge, could be the so-called Coast of the Gods around Vibo Valentia on the southwestern coast of Calabria.

Rete Museale Regionale

Info; www.odesseamuseum.it

FRANCIS OF ASSISI 2026 SYMBOL OF PEACE

One Holy Year ends and another begins: this time it is specially dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, affectionately known as “Il Poverello” (the Little Poor Man),

2026, in fact, is the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis, the saint who, more than any other, symbolizes peace, tolerance and reconciliation.

St. Francis is best known in modern times through his affinity with all forms of life and his love of Nature. His active role as a peacemaker is less well known. According to several sources, he travelled to North Africa during the 5^th Crusade in 1216 in order to meet the Muslim leader, Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil and to promote the Christian cause and end the conflict. His mission was largely unsuccessful. The Sultan, an intelligent and educated man, appreciated the Poverello's sincerity. He listened but was not converted to the Christian faith. However, they parted with demonstrations of mutual respect and he gave Francis and his accompanying monks safe passage through Muslim lands on their way back home.

M. STENHOUSE

Source: BOLLETTINO Sala Stampa della Santo Sede https://press.vatican.va

VENERABLE ENGLISH COLLEGE OPENS ITS DOORS

VENERABLE ENGLISH COLLEGE OPENS ITS DOORS

The Venerable English College, an institution that dates back to the Middle Ages, is now open for guided tours every Saturday throughout 2026.

The College, which is still a seminary training Roman Catholic priests from England and Wales, is situated in the heart of Rome near the historic Campo di Fiori market, houses important works of art from the 16^th and 17^th century by Durante Alberti, Andrea Pozzi, PierLuigi Pozzi and Pomarancio inside the College Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury, while the crypt contains an important crucifix by the school of Antoniazzo Romano.

First founded in 1362 as a hospice to provide lodgings for English and Welsh pilgrims visiting the Holy City of Rome, distinguished guests over the centuries have included John Milton and Thomas Cromwell. During Holy Year of 1500, it gave hospitality to 750 pilgrims. In 1579 the seminary was founded and continues in this role to the present day.

The tour contains many points of interest, including the Refectory with a monumental painting depicting “Christ in the House of the Pharisee” and a fresco of St. George and the Dragon” by Andrea Pozzo, the labyrinth al medieval crypt and remains of a tract of the ancient Roman Via Triumphalis consular road which ran under the building foundations.

Guided tours in English at 10.30 on Saturday mornings, in Italian at 11.30, run the Mirabilia Art Wonders organization.

Info: www.artwonders.it

PARADICE....ITALY'S “COOLEST” MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Paradice Music Festival, held in an igloo-style concert hall on the slopes of a glacier at the popular Italian Alpine ski resort of Ponte di Legno, starts on the 10^th January 2026. The Festival venue is situated 2,600m up the mountainside. It is accessible by a 7-min. cable car ride, plus a 250m trudge up the glacier but the effort is guaranteed worth it for the rare experience of a rock-pop band performing on instruments carved out of ice.

The performers are led by musician-artist Lino Mosconi, who also designs and makes the musical instruments, which are exact reproductions in ice of guitars, violins, bass, violoncellos and so on, as well as a drum-kit.

The concert series runs through the months of January, February and March until the beginning of April.

Info: Tel.+39.0364.92097 https://www.pontedilegnotonale.com

L'AQUILA TRIUMPHS AFTER EARTHQUAKE

The city of L'Aquila, devastated by the 2009 earthquake that shattered a swathe of Central Italy, has scooped the Italian Capital of Culture nomination for 2026. The historic capital of the Abruzzo region was badly hit by the series of earth tremors which swept through the spinal Apennine mountain chain, causing extensive damage to historic monuments and works of art, along with private homes and businesses. For several years enclosed in a forest of scaffolding, reinforcements and props, it has now regained most of its former artistic and historic splendour.

The L'Aquila 2026 Capital of Culture programme lists over 300 events, spread over the year, as well as the surounding comunities, and is expected to stimulate a return of tourism to the entire region.

Info; Tel. 0039.0862.6451 www.laquila2026.it

Sincere Good Wishes

from Italyupdate