Dio, Patria e Famiglia - God, Country and Family
Italian-American Connections
What is the origin of Sicilian people? Why are they
different from Italians?
My Sicily,
beautiful flower bloomed among three seas.
Christ the Redeemer Statue of Maratea, Italy
The Christ the Redeemer statue of Maratea in Basilicata is made out of Carrara marble and stands an incredible 70 feet high (21 m), and has an enormous arm span of 63 feet equaling (19 m). The statue is located high up on a mountain and situated in front of the Santuario di San Biagio, whose relics have been preserved in Basilica since 732 A.D. The entire experience is incredible and the panoramic views are absolutely breathtaking! This masterpiece is the tallest statue in Italy and the third largest Christ statue in Europe. The first being Christ the King in Świebodzin, Poland, and the second would be Christo Rei in Portugal. Another interesting fact about the Christ the Redeemer Statue of Maratea is that it shares the same name with its more popular cousin Christ the Redeemer of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
La mia Sicilia,
bel fior fra tre mari sbocciato. (Luigi Pirandello)
Your question suggests that Italians have a common origin and homogenous identity from which Sicilians in some way diverge. The history of Italy, from Roman times and through the middle ages, records the rise of city-states each with its own culture, politics, dialect, and cuisine (the latter being essential, rather than tangential). Until the Risorgimento, the separateness of Italian regions dominated its history; allegiance was to a city-state rather than to a greater national entity.
Unification in 1861 brought about a union of many separate parts of which Sicily is but one. Italy was a territorial union long before it became a national state.
In the heart of Venice, a stone’s throw from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Ca’ Dario is one of the most famous historic buildings overlooking the Grand Canal. A masterful example of the Venetian Gothic style mixed with Renaissance elements, the palace is an imposing building of 1,000 sqm on five floors embellished with original decorations and unique elements. The hidden gem of the palace is the 170-sqm private garden at the back of the building.
The Two Towers. Bologna, Italy
The Two Towers both of them leaning, are the
symbol of Bologna, Italy, and the most prominent
of the Towers of Bologna.
They are located at the intersection of the roads that lead to
the five gates of the old ring wall (mura dei torresotti).
The taller one is called the Asinelli while the smaller but more leaning tower is called the Garisenda.
Their names derive from the families which are traditionally credited with having constructed the towers between
1109 and 1119.
THE VENUS DE MILO
Her Story here
The Venus de Milo is undoubtedly one of the world's most beloved pieces of art of all time.
This Hellenistic marble sculpture, also known as Aphrodite of Milos, portrays the goddess Aphrodite (or Venus in Roman mythology) in a state of relaxation. It was crafted during the period between 130 and 100 BCE. The sculpture is famous for its exceptional beauty, featuring the goddess in a calm and reflective position, with her head slightly tilted to one side and her arms crossed over her chest.
What makes the Venus de Milo particularly beloved is not just its aesthetic qualities, but also its sense of mystery. The sculpture was discovered on the Greek island of Milos in 1820, but its arms have never been found. This has led to much speculation about what the goddess may have been holding or doing with her hands, and has only added to the allure and fascination surrounding the sculpture. The Venus de Milo is now on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it is one of the museum's most popular and iconic works of art.
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Italian elegance has been applied to pieces collected over 400 years for the revamped archaeological gallery, which opened in the Palazzo Reale this month.
With the opening of the Galleria Archeologica of Turin’s royal palace this month, one of Europe’s most important historic collections has become accessible again in a new display that makes the most of its exceptional nature.
(More on this article here)
Monteriggioni,
a medieval walled city renowned for its beauty
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Perched on a natural hill with vineyards and olive groves on its slopes, Monteriggioni is a captivating example of a medieval walled town that was constructed by the Sienese between 1214 and 1219.
The castle was founded in the early 1200s by the Republic of Siena, with the primary aim of creating a defensive outpost against rival Florence.
For centuries, the settlement fulfilled its purpose, repelling countless sieges and attacks. Its military function diminished in the mid-1500s when the entire Senese State, of which Monteriggioni was a part, was annexed by Florence.
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