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A rampage of appreciation about.... Italy! (Part I)
For my first issue in ‘Britain and me’ I thought I would talk about Italy. Yes, not entirely consistent with the blog title apparently, is it? Well, for those of you who forgot about the fact, il Bel Paese happened to be quite a popular destination amongst the fortunate Victorians who could afford a holiday abroad. I am immensely grateful to count myself amongst the members of that tasteful part of the society.
Now, if ever there was a region in the World that could dream to compete against the English countryside in terms of beauty, it is Tuscany. Cradle of the Renaissance might be the words which best describe it, as they sum up all the treasures that its people have given to humanity. My other two favourite places in Italy are Venice and Rome. There are so many things I love about Italy: Fellini and all the classic cinema, La Scala and the Italian opera, their style, the food (especially pannacotta), the language!
But on top of all that, what deeply overwhelms me is of course its artistic heritage. And that is what I am going to comment on in Part II.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I love Britain a million times more than Italy.
Now, if ever there was a region in the World that could dream to compete against the English countryside in terms of beauty, it is 
7 comments:
A cheer for Tuscany hurrah!
Three cheers for Britain - hurrah hurrah hurrah!
It would seem!
Dear Miss Moto,
I find I rather agree with your statements. Italy is the complementary place of mind for me; a space where I can sit back and see the other side of my character.
Over here it's work. Its the degree, it's the traveling to different places and the clothes that you wear a thousand days in the same year. It's everyday, it's normal. Comfortable, sensible, the waking state.
Italy is the dream. Venice is the light which gilds the cage...Naples the nightmare which corrupts the spirit. Rome is the Light which shows how life should be led, halfway between it's sister-cities extremes. As an archaeologist it of course contains a certain professional attraction...but it's more than that. It's dozing off in Piazza Colonna, back against the sun-warmed marble in a statue alcove with Caesar rearing in 9ft of bronze above you. Then being woken by a traffic cop with an Uzi....before having a cool G&T in a small, cavernous bar; staring out over the Fontana di Trevi.....
Dantares.
Yes indeed! Or rather,
A cheer for Tuscany hurrah!
A million cheers for Britain - hurrah hurrah hurrah hurrah!
....Walking amongst the Forum ruins and experiencing the same astonishment at the sight of the Temple of Venus and Roma apsis which so clearly inspired the later Renaissance and Baroque artists....Distractedly entering a little piazza just to discover the magnificent Trevi Fountain, strikingly and amusingly big and pretentious in contrast with the small dimensions of the square which contains it....Considering the French rather fortunate to have their embassy located in the lovely Palazzo Farnese....Rushing along most of the 1400 rooms of the Vatican Museums because there is no time and I really want to see Raphael's stanzas....Raising the head to finally appreciate the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel....And later entering St Peter's and marvelling at what I personally consider the best work of art ever created, La Pietà....Resting under Bernini's elephant by Santa Maria Sopra Minerva looking at the hectic executives getting in and out of smart cars with their dark sunglasses and exquisite suits....Spending a lovely afternoon in Villa Borghese and then going shopping in oh so elegant Via Condotti....Enjoying the luxury of a meal by the astounding Pantheon.....
I'm thinking of visiting Italy with my girlfriend this summer, assuming that we have the time. It's a bit of a journey for her, from the other end of Eurasia. What's your favourite place in Italy?
Tozznok,
I can not choose a favourite place. The different regions have their own qualities. The North and the South are totally different -bear in mind that Unification took place in 1861- and in that respect I do prefer the North and the Centre to the South. A visit to Pompeii is a must though; can't put into words what it feels like to walk along its streets..
Florence is lovely. I was really fortunate to stay in an old palazzo near the Arno, quite close to the Ponte Vecchio. The city has two of the most renowned art galleries in the World: the Uffizi (housing an astonishing collection which includes masterpieces such as the Tondo Doni, The Duke and Duchess of Urbino and lots of Botticelli) and the Galleria dell'Accademia (Michelangelo's David, Byzantine art, Giotto, Masaccio). The Duomo is amazing, and you will love the Piazza della Signoria and the church of Santa Croce, which houses the tombs of Michelangelo Buonarroti, Galileo Galilei and Dante Alighieri.
Other places worthy of a visit are the Campo dei Miracoli in Pisa, an architectural prodigy comprising the Cathedral, its Baptistery and quite a popular and not entirely straight tower; as well as Lucca, Siena, Arezzo and San Gimignano.
Venice is to me the most wonderful thing ever created by humanity. It is the epitome of Romanticism: a magical city full of treasures sinking to the bottom of the sea.
Verone in the Veneto is also lovely.
I really like Milan as well, partly because of its musical facet. The best of the city: the Duomo with all its pinnacles, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the fantastic Pinacoteca di Brera, La Scala and Castello Sforzesco (though I have not visited the castle myself).
And naturally Rome, more Baroque and a gem for all the lovers of the Roman Empire. But we have already commented on Rome, so I think I have already answered your question :) I hope you find it useful
I have a soft spot for Italy also, mainly Rome which I intend to return on a sort of pilgrimage!
Also I think artistically I am perhaps more of a traditionalist preferring the Italian paintings with their strong preference on anatomical lines. From what I have seen so far anyway, I am no art critic!
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