14 years of travels in Europe, and a few non-European countries, and still going. Random photos taken over the years with some commentary and background info. Thanks Rick Steves!
La Torre dell'Orologio.
St Mark's Clock (La Torre dell'Orologio) is the clock housed in the St. Mark's Clocktower, on St. Mark's Square in Venice, adjoining the Procuratie Vecchie. The first clock housed in the tower was built and installed by Gian Paulo and Gian Carlo Rainieri, father and son, between 1496 and 1499, and was one of a number of large public astronomical clocks erected throughout Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries. The clock has had an eventful horological history, and been the subject of many restorations, some controversial.
After restorations in 1551 by Giuseppe Mazzoleni, and in 1615, by Giovanni Battista Santi, the clock mechanism was almost completely replaced in the 1750s, by Bartolomeo Ferracina. In 1858 the clock was restored by Luigi De Lucia. In 1996, a major restoration, undertaken by Giuseppe Brusa and Alberto Gorla, was the subject of controversy, amid claims of unsympathetic restoration and poor workmanship. – wikipedia
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Hotels and houses in Positano.
"Positano is a small town on the Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana), in Campania, Italy. The main part of the city sits in an enclave in the hills leading down to the coast." – WikipediaComments [0]
Inside the Rocca Maggiore.
"The fortress dominates the city and it is the monument that visitors first see, after the Basilica of St. Francis, as they approach Assisi. From the square in front of it, you can get a glimpse of the city centre below, with one of the finest views of the entire Spoleto valley. A visit of the inside and exterior of this former military structure gives a better idea of the stateliness of this building. It has recently been restored and many elegant and impressive rooms can be visited. Until a definitive decision has been made on how to it use it, it often hosts exhibits and art shows."Comments [0]
Basilica di San Marco.
"Saint Mark's Basilica (Italian: Basilica di San Marco a Venezia), the cathedral church of Venice, is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture. It lies on St Mark's Square (in the San Marco sestiere or district) adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the "chapel" of the Venetian rulers, and not the city's cathedral. Since 1807 it has been the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold)." – Wikipedia
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La Scala Opera House.
"The Teatro alla Scala (or La Scala, as it is also known), in Milan, Italy, is one of the world's most famous opera houses. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778, under the name Nuovo Regio Ducal Teatro alla Scala with Salieri's Europa riconosciuta.
La Scala's season traditionally opens on 7 December, Saint Ambrose's Day, the feast day of Milan's patron saint. All performances must end before midnight; long operas start earlier in the evening if need be. Ticketholders are not allowed to enter after the performance has begun." – Wikipedia
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Santa Maria Assunta church.
"The church of Santa Maria Assunta features a dome made of majolica
tiles as well as a 13th Byzantine century icon of a black Madonna.
According to local legend, the icon had been stolen from Byzantium and
was being transported by pirates across the Mediterranean. A terrible
storm had blown up in the waters opposite Positano and the frightened
sailors heard a voice on board saying "Posa, posa!" ("Put down! Put
down!"). The precious icon was unloaded and carried to the fishing
village and the storm abated." – Wikipedia
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Rocca Maggiore.
"Assisi is a town in Italy in province of Perugia, Italy, in the Umbria region, on the western flank of Monte Subasio. It is the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order in the town in 1208, and St. Clare (Chiara d'Offreducci), the founder of the Poor Clares.
The town is dominated by two medieval castles. The larger, called Rocca Maggiore, is a massive presence meant to intimidate the people of the town: it was built by Cardinal Albornoz (1367) and added to by Popes Pius II and Paul III. The smaller of the two was built much earlier, in the Roman era. However, not all of it stands, and only a small portion and three towers are open to the public." – Wikipedia
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Roman Forum.
"The Roman Forum (Latin: Forum Romanum), sometimes known by its original Latin name, is located between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill of the city of Rome. It is the central area around which the ancient Roman civilization developed. Citizens referred to the location as the "Forum Magnum" or just the "Forum".
The oldest and most important structures of the ancient city are
located in the forum, including its ancient former royal residency the Regia and the surrounding complex of the Vestal virgins. The Old Republic had its formal Comitium there where the senate, as well as Republican government began. The forum served as a city square and central hub where the people of Rome gathered for justice, and faith. The forum was also the economic hub of the city and considered to be the center of the Republic and Empire." – Wikipedia
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Perugia province.
"The Province of Perugia (Italian: Provincia di Perugia) is the larger of the two provinces in the Umbria region of Italy, comprising two-thirds of both the area and population of the region. Its capital is the city of Perugia. The province covered all of Umbria until 1927, when the province of Terni was carved out of its southern third." – Wikipedia
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