An Ionian seaside town, Avola is a mix of old and new. The town focuses heavily on the sea, with its history as a tuna fishing port. Today, the remains of the Vecchia Tonnara at the wharf are a stone backdrop to the sandy beaches. Avola dates back to a pre-Greek people called the Sicani.…
Located about 11 kilometres north of Catania, it is the perfect little commune to visit during the ottobrata – the local festivity that occurs every October here in Sicily, celebrating the fruits of the land: frutti di terra. The first encounter went wrong already 🙂 Approaching the booth with fruit, I have noticed quince – one…
If something is worth visiting in life, it is the Aeolian islands. Becasue it makes you think about winter in the south. It makes you think about simplicity of life. And it makes you realise how not to treat the tourists: just some bags of potatoes that need to be shipped from one island to…
I haven’t had a chance to spent a bit more time discovering this city. But just a glimpse and it made me think to re-visit and make it’s due. When the time will come, I promise to update with more photos. But for now, enjoy the story 🙂 Several civilizations settled in Milazzo and left…
I didn’t expect much from this harbour city, to be honest. I knew they have a great beer – Messina cristali di sale: a great Sicilian beer brewed since 1923 and one of the most loved Italian beers. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy.…
Senlis is a city in the northern French department of Oise, Hautes de France. Cute, medieval and charming. It offered us great peek into history: The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. Senlis is situated on the river Nonette. Senlis was known in early Roman imperial times as Augustomagus. During the 3rd century, a seven-meter…
The Château de Chantilly is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France’s cultural heritage. It is the work of a man with an extraordinary destiny: Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. This historic French château located in the town of Chantilly, Oise, about 50 kilometres north of Paris. The site…
The Scala dei Turchi is a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte, near Porto Empedocle. It has become a tourist attraction, partly due to its mention series of detective stories about Commissario Montalbano. The cliffs lie between two sandy beaches and are a limestone rock formation in the shape of a staircase, hence the name. The latter part…
Picture this episode: we parked on a roundabout. Some local approached us (my brother and me) – we thought because we should have not park in a roundabout, but then again they all did, so… in fact the guy just wanted to ask if we have cigarettes. Ok Sicily, episode n. At the roundabout is…
Enna or as the Sicilians would say Castrugiuvanni; is a city located roughly at the center of Sicily, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned the nicknames belvedere (panoramic viewpoint) and ombelico (“navel”) of Sicily. At 931m above sea level, Enna is the highest Italian provincial capital. To arrive there is not a piece of cake. Passing the two viaducts Morello and…
From its dramatic natural surroundings to its historic churches, Sicily has something to offer every traveler. The island of Sicily is a unique part of Italy. Its craggy mountains, wild vegetation, and omnipresent sea have fired the imagination of poets, wayfarers, and visitors alike. Though it is one of 20 Italian regions, its history under…
Aci Castello and the other Acis around are destinations not to be missed in Sicily, especially for lovers of Greek myths and literature. It is here that the poets Virgil and Ovid gave birth to the myth of Galatea and Aci and their love story. In the second half of 1100 the town was destroyed…
Lombardia, Italia… beautiful region, beautiful country, great time in expensive, kinda boring but nice city known by arts, commerce, design, entertainment, fashion and tourism. I arrived in the morning to Airport Milanesa and […]
Lombardia, Italia… beautiful region, beautiful country, great time in expensive, kinda boring but nice city known by arts, commerce, design, entertainment, fashion and tourism.
I arrived in the morning to Airport Milanesa and around 10:00 I was in the city center at Piazza del Duomo where the Monument to King Victor Emmanuel II stands as a first italian king from 19 century.
At Piazza del Duomo, I’ve been admiring the cathedral, itaDuomo. The fifth biggest church the world and only the second (after St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican), the moment when the gothic architecture descends from north and testimonies its glory.
Dedicated to St Mary of the Nativity, this gothic cathedral derives from 14th century. The first cathedral, the “new basilica,” ita. basilica nova was completed by 355 which archeological rests can be seen below the cathedral together with the old octagonal baptistery, the Battistero Paleocristiano, under the Milan Cathedral.
It was Napoleon who finished the façade and inner part of the basilica and jump-started the final stages of construction in the early 19th century. Considering its construction is still continuing, this could be considered the longest-worked cathedral in the world.
The floor is 15 century white Candoglia marble with Varenna black marble and Arzo red marble, obtaining its own style amongst the world basilicas.
They say there are more statues on this gothic-style cathedral than any other building in the world. There are 3,400 statues, 135 gargoyles and 700 figures that decorate Milan Duomo! I climb the stairs to the rooftop to fully appreciate the architecture of the most renowned silhouette in the city.
I was admiring the archades and kontrafors and after 10 min clinbng up the stairs, I was breathtaken for some time…
From the terrazza you can see breathtaking views across Milan and also the famous Madonnina, the gold-colored statue of Mary that stands on the cathedral’s highest spire.
View on modern district Palazzo Lombardia from Duomo
After visiting the cathedral I spent some time walking inside the Galeria Vittorio Emanuele – the oldest shopping centre in the world. The floor is a mosaic with the picture of the bull on whose balls one should stand with heel, spin around and make a wish.
Closeby is the statue of Leonardo DaVinci and the museum of his life and discoveries. This world famous scientist and artist lived in Milano for 16 years. He influenced the town planning since severe plagues in 1484 and 1485 drew his attention to problems.
Statue of Leonardo DaVinci
Inside the Museum of DaVinci
Leonardo’s fresco of the Last Supper is placed in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. This world famous painting from 16th century was ordered by Leonardo’s patron Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan.
Milan is famous for La Scala or the official name Teatro alla Scala. It is is an opera house dating from 18 century. Many of the finest singers and great opera artists have appeared at La Scala during the past 200 years as this building has prestige accoustic hall.
La Scala
From the other adventures worth to mention, I would state the faboulous 19 century Cental Station building of the Art Nouveau style 🙂 As me living currently in Belgium, I couldn’t resisit falling in love with this architecture style. Later some renovations were done so its bombastic appearance with muscular sculptures was a good fit with Mussolini’s preferred architecture style.
When mentioning Duke of Milan and Sforza family, their greates oponent was Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor known as Barbarossa (ita. red beard). Spreading his power over Lombardy, the anti-German sentiment was increasing and the locals forced Barbarossa’s wife to ride through the city on a donkey in a humiliating manner. Barbarossa implemented his revenge for this insult by forcing the magistrates of the city to remove a fig from the anus of a donkey using only their teeth.
So the todays insulting gesture, (called fico), of holding a fist with the thumb between the middle and forefinger came by its origin from this event. 🙂
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After reading this i really want to visit here and images of museum love it
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As an Italian I often go to Milan which is only 2 hours drive from my city! Isn’t it lovely!?
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Thanks for these pointers. One thing I should also believe is always that credit cards giving a 0 interest often appeal to consumers with zero rate, instant endorsement and easy on-line balance transfers, but beware of the most recognized factor that will certainly void the 0 easy street annual percentage rate plus throw anybody out into the bad house rapidly.
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