A Tale of Two Umbrian Seasons

Having visited this area primarily in the fall, it is a stark, yet beautiful contrast to see the same area in the spring.  Everything; trees, vines, olive groves, new crops ... all have their own "new growth" shade of green.  This in comparison to fall when the colors are so bright, different and varied.

Dear Abbey ...

Three unique and lovely Abbeys in this area of Umbria that you can visit and appreciate in one day.

Abbazia San Pietro in Valle: Medieval abbey built high in the mountains.  The Benedictine Abbey of San Pietro is among the main examples of high-medieval art in central Italy.  Once destroyed, the abbey was restored and expanded in the twelfth century.  At the top of the side walls there are a cycle frescoes from the twelfth century, with stories from the Old and New Testaments.

Abbazia di San Felice: The church rebuild in 1190, is an example of Romanesque Spoleto architecture and has a small annexed monastery that dates from he 15th & 16th centuries..  Only fragments of the frescoes remain on the walls.

 Abbazia di Sassovivo:  A Benedictine monastery built around the year 1000.  the finest architectural feature of the entire abbey is the cloister, was completed in 1229.

New (Italian) Eyes ...

Italian Festivals

Part of the charm and enjoyment of a visit to Italy is to run into local festivals and events, and two in one day is fabulous.  May 1st is a big holiday in Italy, so there were many to be discovered.

1st ... an antique market along the old highway in Pissignano (porchetta sandwich for lunch a requirement).   So many great ideas for furnishing a place in Italy!!  And a few things just fun to look at and enjoy.

2nd, In the evening walk through the medieval gates of Bevagna to experience Cibo del Mondo (Food of the World), and experience food from all parts of the world.

A trio of musicians sat up in front of this huge water will / mill located in an alcove of the Roman Amphitheater in Bevagna for a entertainment during a tasting.  It was beautiful to see and hear!

Michelangelo Buonarroti ... as found in Florence

I am a poor man and of little worth, who is laboring in that art that God has given me in order to extend my life as long as possible
                   -  Michelangelo

The above sculpture is Michelangelo "The Deposition" ... also known as the Florence Pieta.  Michelangelo started the work at age 72, worked on it for 8 years and became so frustrated that the tried to destroy it.  The face of Nicodemus is thought to be a self portrait of Michelangelo himself.

Michelangelo's proposed design for the drum of the Florence Duomo (not chosen)

Casa Buonarroti:  Although Michelangelo never resided in the home, the Buonarotti family owned it.  It is a small museum that is dedicated to remembering and celebrating the greatness of Michelangelo.  It contains a few of his smaller works.

Basilica of Santa Croce: where Michelangelo is buried, along with other well known people such as Machiavelli and Galileo. 

Every beauty which is seen here by persons of perception

resembles more than anything else 

that celestial source from which we all are come.

  - Michelangelo

Salone dei Cinquecento of Palazzo Vecchio

Built in 1495-1496, this room measures 54 meters long, 23 meters wide and 18 meters high and is the largest room in Italy made for a civil power palace.  The paintings on either side of the room are six scenes of battle that represent military successes of Cosimo I against Pisa and Siena.  The coffered ceiling includes 42 panels.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas

The Twelfth Day of Christmas is REALLY in January!

Epiphany commemorates the 12th day of Christmas, when the three wise men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for the baby Jesus.  The Feast of Epiphany -- celebrated on January 6th -- is a national holiday in Italy and brings with it many festivities.  As the traditional Christmas holiday season lasts through Epiphany, living nativity scenes (presepi viventi) are often presented on Dec 24th thru 26th and repeated for Epiphany.













In Florence, the festivities include Calvacata dei Magi, a long grand procession in magnificent renaissance costumes.  The procession starts at Palazzo Pitti, proceeds across the Ponte Vecchio then to Piazza della Signoria and ends in Piazza del Duomo at the living nativity. The celebration goes back centuries, to when the solemn parade was repeated every three to five years and members of the Medici family participated.  Lords and ladies, knights, drummers, falconers with their birds of prey, sbandieratori flag throwing companies and more fill the procession.  Today there are estimated between 500-700 costumed participates from all over Tuscany.