Thursday, April 30, 2015

Ravenna Mosaics

Today was the last day of our Rome to Ravenna tour. We spent much of it visiting basilicas and other religious buildings, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, containing Byzantine mosaics for which Ravenna is famous. Some typical scenes here, more to come.




Two details from Basilica di S. Vitale



School children viewing mosaics in Basilica di S. Vitale



Three Kings in Basilica di S. Appolinare Nuovo



Casual observer in Basilica di S. Appolinare Nuovo



Mosaic detail in Mausoleo de Galla Placidia



Restoring the organ in Basilica di S. Francisco




Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Verucchio

We began today with a short hike around the ramparts of San Marino, viewing some of the sights that were obscured yesterday by rain and fog.


Tower of Castle #1, just as the fog was clearing.



We then drove to Verucchio, a small but historically important town in the Emilia-Romagna. A longer walk here, and an exploration of an old castle that was the base of the Malatesta dynasty that controlled the region during the late middle ages and renaissance.





Italian colors, two ways



One of the many old castles in the region



Wall and foliage



View of Verucchio from the Malatesta castle wall



We finished with an excellent lunch in a a very old building in Verucchio, 
served by a pretty waitress. Then on to Ravenna.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Foggy Day in San Marino

This morning it was raining pretty hard, so we abandoned our plan for a hike and visited a few indoor sites instead.


Ceremonial troops awaiting the arrival of legislators at the Parliament



Statue of Santa Rita in the Church of San Marino



Locals chatting over morning coffee



The rain lightened, and it became very foggy, leading to some atmospheric shots.
This is one of a number of "mutoids" placed around the upper town.



Paths branching up and down



Pedestrian walking through an archway



San Marino's "Statue of Liberty" in front of Parliament


Monday, April 27, 2015

Urbino to San Marino

This morning we drove from our hotel on the outskirts of Orvieto through beautiful countryside, finally leaving Umbria and entering the Marche region. The big attraction is the wonderful Renaissance city of Urbino, and particularly its Palazzo Ducale Museum.


Dramatic sky viewed from the heights of Urbino



Urbino is a university town, with many art students in evidence.



Outdoor cafe in the Palazzo Ducale Museum



Portrait of Federico da Montefeltro, founder of the modern duchy of Urbino in the mid-15th C



Fragment of a striking fresco in the museum, 
this part showing a peasant at the foot of the crucified Christ



Section of the original floor of the Palace, showing the intricate geometry, colors, and wear





Two photos of colors through wavy glass, 
the first of a section of Urbino through a window of the museum,
the second of a painting through a bottle of white wine





Two unusual wildflowers on our walk in the countryside near Urbino



We ended the day with a drive from Urbino up very winding roads 
to the tiny independent (but still very Italian) country of San Marino. 
This view to the east from the top of San Marino shows impending stormy weather.



The walk to our hotel in San Marino is lined with statuary busts (literally).


Sunday, April 26, 2015

A Picturesque Day in Italy


Gardening materials outside our elegant Marchese del Grillo Hotel in Fabriano









Farm and vineyard scenes along a walk from Fabriano to Cerreto d'Esi



View of Cerreto d'Esi





Scenes in Cerreto d'Esi



Food stand below the Frasassi Caves





Two views in the dramatically lighted Frasassi Caves

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Fabriano

Today was a considerably easier day than yesterday. We drove from Spello east to Fabriano in La Marche, to hike in the hills above Fabriano and visit the Museo della Carte, documenting the history of papermaking and watermarking in the western world.


Behind a gas station on our way out of Spello. Where else but Italy?



Shrine on the trail in the hills above Fabriano



View of the Appenines through trees along the trail





Wildflowers along the trail



Statue of St. Silvestre at the Benedictine monastery in the hills



A splendid picnic lunch prepared by our tour co-leader, Giampiero Faga



Papermaker demonstrating old methods in the museum