Italy
History
· Rome’s empire spread to Northern Africa and the Middle East all the way up to Hadrian ’s Wall in the United Kingdom. · Ancient Rome was first a small agricultural community founded in the 8th century BC that grew over the course of centuries into an enormous empire
· Its influence is still felt today impacting our law, administration, philosophy, and art. The Roman empire and its enormous power did start to decline in the late 4th century AD
· Rome’s first emperor and founder was Augustus- he had the Roman poet Virgil write an epic poem The Aenied to glorify him and the founding of Rome.
Demographics
· Governed by a mayor and a city council. Italy itself is segmented into over 8,000 communes, each having their own small government.
· Over 90% of the Roman population is Italian.
· Over eighty percent of Italy is either mountainous or hilly.
· The Italian peninsula sits on a fault line which causes many devastating earthquakes in Italy, more than any other place in Europe.
· Italy has more volcanoes than any other place in Europe.
· Monte Bianco, the highest peak in Europe, is located in Italy
Tourism
· Tourism is one of the fastest growing and profitable venues in the national economy. Italy is the fourth highest tourism earner and the fifth most visited country in the world.
· Italy is one of the most crowded nations in Europe but is also said to have the most masterpieces per square mile than any other country in the world.
· Tourism in Italy is responsible for over sixty percent of the national income.
Energy
· Italy is the largest producer of renewable energy
· The country itself is making aims to reduce some of its environmental problems. Smog levels have actually decreased dramatically.
Culture
· They base their opinions of other people on how well they dress.
· Women in Italy are generally married by 26 and men by 29. Italian men get married later as they prefer to be finished with their education and in a career before taking that step.
· In contrast to what Italian families have traditionally looked like, Italy’s birthrate is the second lowest in the Western world and Italians are rewarded for having more than one child.
· Many Italian families will live together until their children are in their thirties because family is a big deal in Italy.
Religion
· The home of the Pope and the Vatican, most people in Italy (about 90%) will claim Catholicism were you to ask their religion.
· For many, however, “Catholic” is more a custom than an actual religious faith. Many Catholics are only Catholic by name and not by practice.
· Italy does have freedom of religion, so there are other religions in Italy, including other Christian faiths as well as Judaism and Islam.
· In 2006 there were about 22,000 members of the LDS church in Italy.
· Italian tradition is deeply connected with the Catholic Church, which is why nearly all Italians are Catholic.
Cuisine
· Pizza of some sort is believed to have come from the Middle East or the Mediterranean, but the dish we eat today is unlike any of ancient date, due to the addition of tomato sauce. In the late 1700s it was common for the poor of Naples to put tomatoes on a flatbread, which is probably where modern pizza got its start. · Italians claim to have taught the rest of the world how to cook; they introduced ice cream and coffee to the world.
Rome
History
· The Roman Empire was started on the Italian Peninsula much earlier than the Renaissance, in the city of Rome.
· Legend states that Rome was founded by the brothers, Romulus and Remus, and then went on to spread over much of Europe and the Middle East.
· The Roman Catholic Church was founded in Rome, which houses the Vatican City, the headquarters of the church today.
Information
· Rome itself is one of the most successful “brands” in the world, being the 11th most visited city in the world in 2007.
· Many civilizations were influenced by the Roman efforts to spread not just Roman government, but their culture as well.
· Rome is often referred to as “The Eternal City” because it is one of the oldest cities in the world.
· The second largest university in the world, La Sapienza is located in Rome.
· On many statues and buildings, the abbreviation ‘SPQR’ can be found which in English means “The senate and people of Rome”.
· The first shopping mall was built in Rome.
· It is thought that some pagan Romans added Christ to their list of gods
· Within the city, there are statues called “talking statues” which allow for an outlet of anonymous political expression—people post notes on the statues concerning their opinions
Coliseum
· Known as Rome’s most famous landmark, the Colosseum or the Colossuem was created by the Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD. The roof was created of large sail like awnings. The Colossuem was used for Gladiator fights, staged animal fights and later it was used as a quarry due to its abundance of supplies. The Colosseum in Rome is jokingly said to be the “eighth wonder of the world
· The Colosseum’s marble façade and other materials were plundered and used in other construction projects.
· The Colosseum took 12 years to build and was used to entertain the public with free games.
Vatican City
· The Vatican is the only place in the world where people speak Latin and is an independent state in the middle of Rome (meaning a lot of main countries of the world have two embassies in Rome-one to Italy and one to Vatican City)
· Michelangelo really preferred not to paint the Sistine Chapel because he was more of a sculptor than a painter and was wary of such a large-scale commission being offered by his enemies as a set-up for failure.
Other Sites
· Rome has an entire museum dedicated to just pasta.
· Rome is also the home of St. Peter’s Basilica, which is the largest church ever constructed and displays works from very famous artists like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Maderno.
· Arco di Costantino: As the largest, best preserved triumphal arch, the Arco di Contantino, was erected in 315 AD to celebrate the victory of Constantine over Maxentius. The arch stands 69 feet high by 85 feet long and is 23 feet wide.
· Domus Aurea: Called Nero’s Golden House, was a villa built by the emperor Nero after a large portion of Rome burned down in 64 AD, during Imperial Rome. The structure was so large it went over four of Rome’s seven hills and the circular opening in the ceiling of the banquet hall is said to make the room look it is spinning.
· The Capuchin Crypt. Although this sounds like a creepy place to visit, a friend of mine who recently visited Rome told me the intention of the decoration is not meant to be macabre, but a reminder of the brevity of mortal life.
· The Trevi Fountain. According to legend, if you throw one coin into the fountain you are guaranteed to return to Rome. Two coins thrown will guarantee marriage or divorce. Three coins thrown will give the thrower a lifetime of luck.
· The Old Bridge Gelateria. This little restaurant is located on 5 Viale dei Bastioni di. This is the best place in Rome to eat gelato.
Florence
History
· Beginning with the De Medicis in Florence and spreading to the rest of Europe, the Renaissance truly launched the modern world.
· Florence is considered the birthplace for the Italian Renaissance.
· It is home of the Medici family, one of the most prosperous families in Europe and estimated to have been the most wealthy family in Europe for a period of time.
· Florence was occupied by the Germans for a year during World War II. There are large parts of Florence that have been destroyed during World War II and there are several burial sites for German, British, and American soldiers.
Information
· Some of the streets in Florence are very famous and so long that they have a different name at the end of the street than where the street begins.
· Florence is believed to have the highest concentration of art in the world.
· Tourism is the most significant industry in Florence with tourists outnumbering the local population from April to October.
· Florence, Italy is considered a museum city.
Sites
· Ghiberti’s work on the Florence baptistery doors was part of a competition. It took him 21 years to complete the 28 panels displaying different scenes from the Bible.
· San Lorenzo: Designed in the 15th century, the San Lorenzo church signaled the beginning of Renaissance architecture. San Lorenzo is best known for its grid- like floor made of marble. San Lorenzo also serves as the burial place for the members of the Medici family and it was the Florence’s Cathedral for a time as well.
· Palazzo Pitti: The Palazzo Pitti is a palace that was created for the Medici family in 1549. Today it is one of Florence’s largest pieces of architecture. Today it has the Musea degli Argenti, the Galleria del Costume, the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, and the Galleria Palatini. · Piazzale Michelangelo. This is a famous square that overlooks the entire city of Florence.
· A fountain here called Fontana del Porcellino (the piglet fountain) supposedly brings luck
· Eating at the Cara Pina Gelato on 18 Via Lambertesca (close to the Uffizi Gallery). This is the best gelato place in Florence.
Pompeii
History
· A year before the eruption, a large earthquake shook the town and many left to other Roman cities. We will see the efforts of those who tried to rebuild it.
· The ruins at Pompeii are a remnant of a civilization at its peak. Pompeii is a Roman town that was perfectly preserved after the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD.
· When the volcano erupted the citizens of Pompeii were suffocated where they lay and over time their bodies decayed inside the hardened ash. When Pompeii was rediscovered only fragments of skeletons were found however pockets of space where found in the ash and when excavators filled the pockets with plaster they found that they found “plaster mummies” which offered interesting insight into the Pompeii citizen’s last day.
· After Pompeii was covered in ash, it was mostly forgotten until 1599 when the digging of a channel to divert the river Sarno unearthed walls covered with paintings and inscriptions.
· The city of Pompeii was impressively well preserved by the lack of air and moisture under the ash but now that it has been unearthed, it has been subject to both natural and man-made forces that have rapidly increased its rate of deterioration.
· During World War II, American airmen were stationed at Pompeii and witnessed Mount Vesuvius erupt, which is the last known eruption of the mount. The whole airfield was covered with at least two feet of ash, destroying a lot of equipment and planes.
Information
· Pompeii is a unique gift to modern day travelers as it shows what normal Roman life was like at the height of the empire.
· A large number of the artifacts from Pompeii are preserved in the Naples National Archaeological Museum
· Pink Floyd did a rock concert film in the ancient amphitheater located in Pompeii.
· According to excavations, Pompeii had an excellent water distribution throughout the city. From a reservoir, water flowed down into the city through underground pipelines to people’s houses, public buildings, and fountains
· Pompeii is one of the world’s largest archeological excavation sites at 150 acres
· Historically, it was a fairly advanced city. It had running water, fast food booths, and some houses had swimming pools.
· The city was anciently surrounded by a wall with seven gates
Sites
· The Street of Tombs is a street that is outside the city walls of Pompeii because it was forbidden to bury bodies within the city walls of Pompeii. The street has over thirty tombs and it as well as other shops because the street was also used for travel as well.
· House of the Tragic Poet (Casa del Poeta Tragico): Famous for its mosaic floors and frescoes depicting scenes from Greek mythology, the house of the tragic poet, the house gets its name from the fascination that sounded the house especially from writers who wrote the works The Last Days of Pompeii, and The House of the Tragic Poet, were written about the mystery house and its owner.
· Pompeii Plaster Casts: When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD the city was covered by volcanic ash and well as other debris, Pompeii was so well covered that it was not rediscovered until 1748.
· The Villa of the Mysteries. This villa reportedly housed a wealthy family. Most of the house survived the large volcanic eruption. This preservation allows for study of the wealthy in past antiquity.
· The Garden of the Fugitives. This is considered one of the more moving parts of Pompeii. Thirteen people were trapped while trying to flee the city.
Venice
History
· Venice was historically a center of commerce for the middle east and Europe, which helped fuel the flow of artists throughout the city.
· Its strategic position at the head of the Adriatic made Venetian naval and commercial power almost invulnerable from the 9th to the 12th centuries.
· Venice was closely tied with Constantinople during the Roman Empire.
· Venice traded extensively with the Muslim world.
· Venice is said to have been originally be populated from people from Roman cities who sought refuge from Germans and Huns.
Information
· Venice, "the Floating City", is stretched across 117 small islands, with canals used as streets.
· Carnevale originated in Venice around 1260 and at its prime in the 18th century it started on December 26 and lasted for two months. Today it only lasts for the 10 day preceding Ash Wednesday. Carnival is characterized by its many parades and floats. Today carnival is considered to be less “outlandish” in Venice due to its commercialization.
· Today gondolas in Venice primarily carry around tourist, they were once considered many years ago the main way of transportation around Venice and looked quite different then the modern gondolas we have today.
· Gondolas are made up of more than two hundred and eighty different pieces, and can be made out of more than eight different types of woods.
· The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced woodpiles, which were imported from the mainland. Under water, in the absence of oxygen, wood does not decay. It is petrified as a result of the constant flow of mineral-rich water around and through it, so that it becomes a stone-like structure.
· Venice is famous for its ornate glasswork, known as Venetian glass. It is world-renowned for being colorful, elaborate, and skillfully made. Toward the end of the 13th century, the center of the Venetian glass industry moved to Murano.
· The historical Venice is divided into six districts, which are called sestieri.
· You can cross the city on foot in under an hour
· Only 3 or 4 Gondolier licenses are issued each year. Applicants must go through a rigorous training and test
· There is no sewer system; waste goes into the canals and is washed out with the tides.
· Napoleon called Piazza San Marco “the finest drawing room in the world”
Sites
· Basilica di San Marco: The original church was built to house the remains of Saint Mark after the church was burned down the Basilica was built to replace it. The Basilica di San Marco is known for its floor to ceiling mosaics that cover over 43,055 feet of the building.
· Venetian Arsenal: The arsenal is a shipyard and armory that was founded in 1104 on twin islands. At one time it employed 16,000 workers who were known throughout the world for their skills at ship building, it was said that they built 100 ships in 60 days in order to battle the Turks.
· The Bridge of Sighs links the interrogation chambers of the Doge’s Palace to the old prisons. It is said to get its name because the prisoners would sigh as they get their final view of Venice as they were being taken to their cells.
· The Rialto Bridge and Market. Originally, this bridge was built to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524. The market is also well known for great shopping.
Pisa
History
· Pisa is well-known for its leaning bell-tower, built over 177 years from 1173 to 1350. The tower was built behind the cathedral of Pisa.
· In World War II the Allies found that the Germans were using the tower as an observation post, but the US sergeant fortunately chose not to call in an artillery strike.
Information
· The leaning tower, baptistery, and chapel of Pisa were built out of marble that was plundered from other ancient buildings so parts of these buildings contain different coloring, lettering, and carved images and words in each brick.
· The Leaning Tower of Pisa used to lean the other way
Sites
· The leaning tower of Pisa is a bell tower for the cathedral it is built next to.
