Piazza Venezia, seems to have become the center of Rome, located very closely to the Piazza di San Marco. In fact, both appear as a result of the construction of the Palazzo Venezia, which is erected in the fifteenth century and next to the Chiesa di San Marcos. Each having its corresponding plaza. Continue reading “Piazza Venezia – Rome”
Category: Italy
The Piazza della Repubblica, Firenze
Since ancient times the center of the Italian city of Firenze, was its Roman Forum. In addition, it was the place where the main roads of the city, the cardus roads (North to South) and decumanus maximi (East to West) were crossed. It was customary to seat the Roman Forum or square around that point. Continue reading “The Piazza della Repubblica, Firenze”
The Amphitheater of the Flavian Emperors
The Roman people enjoyed shows such as gladiatorial games (of the Etruscans), simulations of naval battles, hunting or fighting of wild animals (venations), car races and other events. The Roman amphitheater evolved from the two-sided Greek stadiums and semicircular theaters. It also represented an improvement over the Roman “Circus Maximus,” elliptically with a fixed central divider. The spine would impair the display of certain events. Continue reading “The Amphitheater of the Flavian Emperors”
Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Roma
The building of Christian Church over pagan temples was customary in ancient Rome. Thus we have the Basilica Santa María over the Temple of Minerva. In fact, recently discovered were the remains of another temple, to Isis and Serapis in the place where this basilica is located. The architectural style of the “Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva” is Gothic. Continue reading “Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Roma”
“Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore” – Firenze
One of the most flourishing and developing cities in ancient times was Florence. It was the center of medieval European commerce and finance. Birthplace of the Renaissance and the standard Italian language, home of Michelangelo’s “David”, the city of the Medicis, the “Ponte Vecchio” and the capital of Tuscany. The centerpiece of this historically valuable city is another treasure; the whole of the “Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore”.
Continue reading ““Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore” – Firenze”
Ponte dei Suspiri, Venice
The “Ponte dei Suspiri” or Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy, is over one of the most important canals in the city, the Di Palazzo River. It has become a tourist attraction,as it joins the Doge’s Palace and the old prison of the Inquisition. Continue reading “Ponte dei Suspiri, Venice”
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Santa Maria, Siena
Siena is one of the beautiful cities that we can find in Tuscany, a region of central Italy surrounded by the main mountain ranges, with fertile hills and plains. The city of Siena is known for its medieval center and for the “Palio”, a very famous horse race that they celebrate twice a year. Continue reading “The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Santa Maria, Siena”
Piazza Navona, Rome
“Piazza Navona” in Rome, is located in an important center of urban life as it relates to social, cultural and tourism events. Strolling through this square one can find sculptures, fountains and buildings of great artistic value. Continue reading “Piazza Navona, Rome”
Piazza Garibaldi – Tivoli
In the heart of the historic center of Tivoli one finds the “Piazza Garibaldi” or the Garibaldi Square. It is dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the “Hero of the Two Worlds” due to his military interventions in South America and Europe. He is also considered one of the “fathers of the country” of Italy along with King Victor Emmanuel. The “Arch of the Founding Fathers”, a monumental sculpture created in 2009 by Arnaldo Pomodoro, attests to it in a prominent place on center of the stage. Continue reading “Piazza Garibaldi – Tivoli”
The two Towers: “Garisenda and degli Asinelli” – Bologna
Upon leaving Venice, the city of Bologna is the obvious choice for another stop on our adventure through Italy. Bologna is the capital of the “Emilia-Romagna” region in northern Italy. It is also an important transport hub, in particular its Bologna Centrale station, which serves as a crossroads for all the main train systems in Italy. Continue reading “The two Towers: “Garisenda and degli Asinelli” – Bologna”