The Padovana chicken, also known as “Padovana dal gran ciuffo” (Padovana chicken with the great tuft), is an unusual breed of chicken found in the province of Padova in northern Italy. This chicken is known for its characteristic crest, with males having a long, curved crest and females having a shorter, more rounded crest. The origins of this particular chicken are disputed, but over time the breed has become emblematic of Padova and the surrounding area. Continue reading "Italian Fun Facts: The Majestic Padovana Chicken"
Month: June 2016
Italian Culture: Luminara Festival of San Ranieri in Pisa
For the people of Pisa, June is a time for celebrations. There are many festivities and cultural events during this month; in the city under the leaning tower, in fact, this period is known as “Giugno Pisano” (The June of Pisa). From the Festival of San Ranieri to the Game of the Bridge, passing through The San Ranieri Regatta, and also, every four years, through The Regatta of the Marine Republics (Venice, Amalfi, Pisa, Genova), Pisa becomes one of the most bustling and vivid cities in Italy for an entire month. Continue reading "Italian Culture: Luminara Festival of San Ranieri in Pisa"
Art In Italy: History Of The Floating Piers on Lake Iseo
Married artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude have created stunning works of environmental art together for decades. From wrapping Berlin’s Reichstag with a tarp in 1995 to placing brightly colored gates through New York City’s Central Park in 2005, their art has always been about creating unique experiences and recreating familiar places. Their latest project, entitled The Floating Piers, will be on display from June 18th to July 3rd in Lake Iseo, a small lake located about 60 miles from Milan in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Previous art produced by the couple in Italy includes Spoleto’s Wrapped Fountain and Wrapped Medieval Tower in 1968, Milan’s Wrapped Monuments in 1970, and Rome’s The Wall – Wrapped Roman Wall from 1973 to 1974. Continue reading "Art In Italy: History Of The Floating Piers on Lake Iseo"
Sicily Caravaggio Dionysus Geek Mythology but is not a painting
The Ear of Dionysus is a unique cave carved out of the Temenites hill in the city of Syracuse, in the region of Sicily. Geologists believe that the original purpose of the cave was to provide water storage for Syracuse during Roman times. The cave strongly resembles the shape of a human ear and somewhat works like one too. The Ear of Dionysus takes the form of an S with a high, tapered ceiling. As a result, there are exceptional acoustics present in the cave capable of amplifying even the smallest of sounds. Continue reading "Sicily Caravaggio Dionysus Geek Mythology but is not a painting"