ItalyUpdate

TRIUMPHAL RETURN OF ST. BENEDICT

The 31^st October 2025, Feast of All Saints in the Roman Catholic calendar, marked the rebirth of one of the most important monuments of Christianity. The 14^th century Basilica of San Benedetto (St. Benedict) in the eartquake-shattered town of Norcia in Umbria re-opened its doors once more.

The painstaking restoration project was completed in what could be considered a record four years (from December 16^th 2021) due to the difficulties involved. The massive reconstruction, estimated at a cost of 10 million euros, half of which contributed by the EU Regional Development fund, involved the use, wherever possible, of the original material recovered from the rubble, including the marbles and the soft pink coloured stone of the facade.

The basilica, believed to be built on the site of the original house where Benedict and his sister St. Scolastica, were born, rises in the heart of the medieval town of Norcia, a popular tourist destination, as well as a centre of pilgrimage. The recovery spearheads the restoration of the town and the entire surrounding area which suffered extensive damage during the 6.6 magnitude scale earthquake of the 30^th October 2016.

St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine Order, was born in 480 AD and is the patron saint of Italy along with St. Catherine of Siena.

Info: Vatican News www.vaticannews.va

HALLOWEE'N FLORENTINE STYLE

Hallowe'en fever has infected the normally sober and dignified Florence, where three days of revels are programmed for the weekend 31 October- 2 December 2025.

Traditional revels include walking tours in notorious haunted spots, plus parties and games for families.

A new edition to the ghostly tanks is a recently re-discovered Florentine ghost – the tragic Ginevra degli Amieri (or Almieri) also known s “La Sepolta Viva” (the Woman who was Buried Alive.)

The tale, which may recall the better known tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, features Ginevra, a 14^th century noblewoman, forced against her will into an arranged marriage. However, fate took a hand in the form of the plague. Ginevra fell ill and lapsed into an apparent death. However, she came to when she was in the family sepulchre and she managed to open the door and get out. Still clad in her shroud, she was refused entry both by her husband and by her parents, who took her for a ghost. Contrary to the Shakespeare tale, however, Ginevra's story has a happy ending because her true love recognized her and took her in and the Bishop subsequently united them in marriage.

To book a guided 90-minute walking tours on the tracks of Ginevra:

Email: partecipartfirenze@gmail.com

www.partecipiart>tour

ITALIAN BANKS: SPONSORS OF ART & CULTURE

Ever since the Florentine Medici family rose to power through banking in the 14^th century, Italian banks have been closely involved with art and culture and this tradition has continued to modern times.

In Rome, Italy's largest bank, the Intesa Sanpaolo, is staging the 20^th exhibition of its Restituzione programme that involves the restoration and restitution to the public of Italy's cultural heritage.

All major Italian banking groups possess important art collections, accumulated over centuries, including archaeological treasures and works by major masters, and are actively involved in promoting and protecting the treasures they now hold in trust for the nation through collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture.

The Intesa Sanpaolo's Art, Culture and Historical Heritage Department curates a vast collection, ranging from archeological treasures to contemporary art, distributed over four Galleries in its branch offices of Milan, Naples, Turin and Vicenza and also finances important restoration and conservation projects. The present exhibition in the Palazzo Esposizione, Rome, features a sweeping range of restored paintings, artefacts and antiquities involving close cooperation with 51 heritage authorities and 67 public and religious institutions from all over Italy as well as a cultural exchange arrangement with the Brussels Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage .

The exhibition Restituzione 2025 runs till the 18^th January 2026.

Info: Tel. +39.06.696271 www.palazzoesposizioniroma.it info@palaexpo.it

UMBRIA'S SURPRISING CONTEMPORARY ART

The region of Umbria, “Green Heart of Italy”, famed for its saints, historic abbeys and palaces, ancient townships and tranquil countryside, is currently projecting a surprising and little known face as a treasure house of contemporary art.

In an effort to conquer the prestigious 2026 title of Italian Capital of Contemporary Art, two historic towns - Spoleto and Foligno – have joined forces to present a united candidature.

Both towns have histories reaching back to the Middle Ages, but they are also centres that have attracted many contemporary artists over the last half century.

The late composer Giancarlo Menotti brought international fame to the small 12^th century town of Spoleto with his acclaimed vanguard Festival of Two Worlds. During the Vth edition in 1962, it was decided to expand the theatre and ballet programme to incorporate contemporary urban art. The resulting “Sculpture in the City” event attracted 53 international sculptors, transforming the historic centre into an open air museum. Six of these works, donated by the artists, still remain in their original place, including the gigantic “Teodelapio” by Alexander Calder, “the Gift of Icarus” by Beverley Pepper, the “Stranger III” by Lynn Chadwick and the “Traveller's Column” by Gio Pomodoro.

Foligno makes an impressive contribution to the Spoleto-Foligno bid with its colossal “Calamita Cosmica” (Cosmic Magnet), commonly known as the “Great Skeleton”, by the late mystical artist Gino De Dominicis.

The 24m-long sculpture fills the entire floor space of the Church of the SS Trinita in Assumption and attracts crowds of fascinated visitors who speculate about the meaning of the gilded rod in the skeleton's hand and the pointed beak in place of its nose.

Info: https://www.umbriatourismo.it

CASTELPORZIANO – FROM ROYAL RETREAT TO RESEARCH CENTRE

The Presidential Residence of Castelporziano, a 60 km oasis of ancient original Mediterranean forest land on the Mediterranean coast some 25 kms from Rome, and once the royal retreat of Italian kings, is now an important nature reserve and ecological research centre.

A primaeval paradise of natural wood and swamp lands, it hosts not only native species like the Maremma wild boar, wild goats, deer herds, foxes, badgers, hare, weasels and so on that live undisturbed in the tangled and impenetrable undergrowth, (a lone wolf is a recent spontaneous arrival) but also flocks of migratory birds, insects and several endangered aquatic species. The estate also contains the original manor house, an archaeological site and the relative Archaeological Museum, a Museum of History and Nature, a coach house with a collection of antique vehicles, and an important research centre on biodiversity and air pollution levels.

In addition to the protected native species, the Residence also supports herds of endangered domestic animals, like the Maremma buffalo and the Maremma wild boar, as well as retired working horses.

Special research projects include reforestation of pine and holm oak, native species both under threat from invasive foreign insects and pests encouraged by the favourable conditions created by global warming. An important monitoring project is the ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) station, part of the European network of over 170 measuring stations spread over 16 European countries that measures and documents levels of air pollution and global warming effects. The 20m - high tower installed in the heart of the Castelporziano forest collects and transmits vital data on the reactions of the surrounding forest and the defence mechanisms of trees in counteracting emissions of harmful C2O gases.

Tracking the movements of migratory birds is another important study area. The capture and ringing birds of passage with ID tags provides scientists with vital information on the movements, survival rates and population dynamics of various bird species. Part of the Castelporziano visitor tour normally includes a demonstration of the ringing technique carried out by a skilled operator, and the subsequent release of the bird into the wild.

The Archeology Museum contains antiquities found during excavations of the group of Roman villas situated in the Capocotta area of the estate. It is recorded that Pliny the Younger had his villa here, although archaeologists have been unable to identify it. Most striking are the fragments of ceiling frescos in vivid Pompeii red, with the decorations as vivid and fresh as when they were first painted.

The estate manor house is also open to visitors with memorability of the short-lived Savoy dynasty, that ended its reign when Italy became a Republic at the end of WWII. The estate itself has a long history of changing ownership dating back to the Medieval era. The manor (or “Castello” as it is called) knew its period of maximum splendour in the mid 19^th century when it was owned by the Grazioli family, who ceded it in 1872 as a private residence and hunting reserve for the new monarch. Royal control lasted until 1948 when the estate became the property of the Italian government and, accordingly, the state. Subsequently, an area bordering on the sea shore was ceded to the Italian people, and transformed into the popular free beach zone known as “I Cancelli”.

The Castello contains a portrait gallery of three generations of the Savoy royal family, a formal banqueting room, porcelain displays and a hunting trophy gallery (this includes an elephant head over the fireplace). This room is now used to host visitor groups. Special attention is paid to non-profit and community service organizations which are often welcomed personally by the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, who takes a personal interest in the work of community support groups. Every summer, the estate hosts a summer retreat for over a thousand disabled people, in addition to regular visits from school children and scout groups.

The Presidential Estate of Castelporziano is open to the public at weekends in specific

periods of the year. Prior booking essential through the Presidential Quirinale Palace, Rome.

M.STENHOUSE

Info: Tel. 06.42012191 https://palazzo.quirinal.it/visita

CORTONA ETRUSCANS & JAZZ

Cortona, the Tuscan town celebrated for its Etruscan past, launches the 7^th edition of its highly successful international Jazz Festival, starring world famous performers and music experts.

The four-day Festival programme lists evening concerts by top international musicians plus morning laboratory sessions of experiments and brain storming involving young musicians from different countries and backgrounds.

The event will also be a showplace for the local Sirah grape wine, as well as locally produced spirits and liqueurs.

The old Etruscans who, judging by their tomb decorations, also valued the good life, would certainly have approved!

Cortona was also the setting for the highly successful film “Under the Tuscan 'Sun” (2004), based on the bestseller by American writer Frances Mayes.

Info: Tel. +39.0575.637274 www.cortonajazz.org

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI DAY

St. Francis of Assisi is at last to be honoured with an official National holiday. The day of annual commemoration will be the 4^th October, the date of his death. Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Congress (CEI) has announced that from this year onwards, the 4^th October will be officially commemorated in Italy as a national holiday.

St. Francis, the most popular and best loved of all the Roman Catholic saints listed on the churches' calendar died on the 4^th October 1226, eight hundred years ago, but his message of peace, love and respect for the environment is as fresh and valid as ever.

The 800^th annioversary of his death is marked by a month-long series of events, including art exhibitions, concerts, costumed processions, readings and debates.

Info: Tel. +39.0758138680 iat@comune.assisi.pg.itST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI DAY

VISIONARY PARISH PRIEST TRANSFORMS DEGRADED QUARTER OF NAPLES

RAI, Italy's state TV, is soon to launch a new series on the work of Don Antonio Loffredo, the charismatic and visionary parish priest of the Rione Sanita, one of Naples's most degraded areas.

When he took up office in 2001, he found a desperate situation of chronic unemployment, poverty, crime and Mafia intervention in this area in the very heart of Naples, practically cheek by jowl with the city's other face – the bustling city of tourism, shops and tourist attractions.

Father Loffredo found a revolutionary solution. The quarter was full of historic churches, monuments and art – all in a state of total degradation. No visitors ventured into this ill-famed area to see any of its neglected jewels. He therefore began with the ancient monumental Catacombs of San Gaudioso under the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanita, dating back to the Greco-Roman period, engineered a grant for restoration work and enrolled a team of local teenagers to help clean and restore the fascinating sequence of cavernous underground cemeteries. Twenty years later, they are now one of Naples top tourist attractions run by a local cooperative called “La Paranza” (the name of a typical Neapolitan trawling fishing boat)

The initiative has not only guaranteed work and earnings for local youth. But has expanded into other areas, such as the restoration of the Church of Santa Maria della Maddalena dei Cristallini, badly damaged by bombing during the last war. La Paranza has turned the building into a centre of contemporary art, with blue the predominant colour of the interior.

The nearby abandoned Church of Sant'Aspreno ai Crociferi, instead, has become a show place for the works of the celebrated artist Iago and is also open to the public.

Father Loffredo transferred from the parish in the Rione Sanita three years ago, but his work has been carried on by La Paranza, the group he founded.

M.STENHOUSE

Info: https://catacombedinapoli.it

TAORMINA SHOWS THE CONTROVERSIAL FEMALE DAVID

The third century BC Greek Theatre of Toarmina (Sicily) is the unexpected setting chosen for “Gesti Scolpiti” (Sculptured Gestures), an exhibition of works by controversial contemporary artist Jacopo Cardillo. Known as Iago, the Naples-based sculptor is known for his interpretations of classical works of art, re-elaborated and re-presented in a new and sometimes startling form.

The exhibition comprises four highly symbolic pieces. Three of those centre around the theme of the human hand: “Impronta Animale” (Animal Imprint)), “Memorie” (Memories) and “Prigione” (Prison) all symbolizing the profound and lasting impact made by the human race on the world around them.

The star of the show, however, is Iago's interpretation of Michaelangelo's celebrated “David” in which he reproduces in gilded bronze the life-size figure of the biblical hero king, poised with sling dangling at the ready to attack the giant Goliath. In Iago's controversial version, however, the David has the body of a woman. Last year, the sculpture sailed the seven seas as part of the “Made in Italy” promotional world tour on board the show piece of the Italian navy – the majestic full-rigged ship “Amerigo Vespucci”.

Iago also hit the headlines in 2019 when his marble sculpture “First Baby” went into space with the European Space Agency's Space Mission Beyond.

The exhibition runs until the 3^rd May 2026.

Info: glicineassociazione@gmail.com and also Instagram and Facebook page

FESTIVAL REVIVES ROME'S PREHISTORY

The ancient Latin League has a full emersion revival on the 20^th -21^st September 2025 when the annual feast in honour of Jove will be recreated on the wooded slopes of the sacred mountain Monte Giove (now known as Monte Cavo) some 30 kms south of Rome.

The Lega Latina (the Latin League, composed of a cluster of small pre-Roman city-states) met each year to cement alliances and bonds of mutual collaboration until they were defeated and absorbed into the Roman empire.

The present Festival aims to recreate the joyous atmosphere of the ancient event with dance rituals, performances, games and crafts, including an exhibition of Ancient Roman football, a costumed procession with priests, dancers, vestal virgins and Roman soldiers in formation.

However, the 21^st century is also represented with a spectacular exhibition of sky diving (presented by the Societa Sportiva Lazio, 2025 champions of Wind Suit and Speed Skydiving).

The event is organized by the local Arco di Diana Association, active in exploration of pre-Roman sites in the area, as well as adventure trekking and social activities.

The two-day event takes place in the fields of the Dakota Ranch riding school situated in the wooded territory once the home of the ancient Latin League.

M. STENHOUSE

Info: +39.346.5151929 Facebook ARCO DI DIANA APS