Venice – Quarantine and Santa Maria Salute
Venice was a port city – visiting ships arrived from the east every day. Sometimes the ships were carrying not just cargoes but also the plague. Venetians created quarantine islands in the 15th century. Then in 1631 they began to build the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute – in gratitude for surviving the plague of 1630.
Venice – Guardi and the story of Tobias and the Angel
Venice – the story of Tobias and the Angel, by artist Antonio Guardi – a popular bible story in the 15th century.
Il Pavone – the paper maker in Venice
Paolo Pelosin – paper maker in Venice – Paolo Pelosin runs Il Pavone – high quality hand made paper products in historic Venice. Next time you are passing pop in and make a purchase.
Maps – I just love maps
Maps are a rich source of information including history, geography and landscape. To study a map carefully is to learn about a region or an area before setting foot in it.
Fiat 500 – the most iconic little car in Italy
The Fiat 500 is part of Italy’s motoring heritage, small, practical and affordable. The Fiat 500 is an Italian icon.
Cefalu – cutest little town in Sicily
Cefalu, a charming, historic seaside town in Sicily. Houses tumble down the hillside to the sea. Authentic and delightful Sicily.
Oxford, England – May Morning
May morning in Oxford, choristers sing from the top of Magdalen Tower to welcome in springtime and a new season. The painting by William Holman Hunt is typical of the 19th century pre-Raphaelite style of exuberant and highly symbolic art.
Venice Carnival
Venice Carnival 2020 – a fabulous celebration of creativity and sartorial elegance. A feast for the eyes and a tribute to the city of Venice, La Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic….
A Grand Tourist in Naples
The Grand Tour – a journey through Italy designed to educate and inspire young, wealthy travellers from the 18th century onwards.
What was a Scriptorium?
Before the invention of the printing press books were written by hand, usually by monks working in a room called a ‘Scriptorium’. The ‘Scriptorium’ was a small space, in the monastery, next to the library. Here the scribes (writers) would write, illustrate and copy manuscripts.