Trip to Naples!

This past weekend Sheila, Mary and I hopped on the train and spent the weekend in Naples. We couldn't have asked for better weather and our hotel, complete with a rooftop garden, was right on the waterfront. On Friday we went to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli where we saw sculptures and mosaics from Pompeii; we also walked around the city (and bought authentic cameos and turquoise earrings) until sunset and ate dinner at a local pizzeria. On Saturday we toured both Pompeii and Sorento (which was my personal favorite- a town with the perfect mix of modern amenities and old world Italy) and at night headed back to Naples. We concluded our trip today with a long walk along the waterfront and around various marinas.

Castle on the water in Naples with view of Mount Vesuvius

Naples shoreline

Pompeii

View of the Bay of Naples from Sorento

Project One: Piazza Navona Analysis

Ara Pacis

Yesterday the class visited Richard Meier's building that houses the ancient Roman Altar of Peace ('Ara Pacis'). The altar, which honored the peace and prosperity during the Augustan empire, was commissioned by the Roman Senate honor Augustus' return from Spain and Gaul of the Roman emperor Augustus.

An exhibition on the lower level of the building celebrated the works of Bruno Munari, an Italian sculptor, painter and designer.

Conference on Climate Change

On Tuesday, Sheila, Mary and I were lucky enough to attend Nancy Pelosi's conference at the American University of Rome, titled “Tackling Climate Change: The Way Forward to Copenhagen”. Select members of Congress and representatives met with Italian officials (who, by the way, loved the fact that Nancy is the first Italian American Speaker) to discuss topics such as the implementation of power grids and various other climate change protocols. Persons present included George Miller, Edward Markey (who presented an excellent argument in which he stated the majority of pollution 'up there' is red, white and blue), Giuliano Amato and Antonio Navarra. Ms. Pelosi answered questions that arose concerning President Obama's plans to tackle this issue, stating that Mr. Obama will acknowledge rather than dismiss the Kyoto Protocol.

Highlights from Field Trip 1

FLORENCE

• Santa Maria Novella: Example of the Renaissance 'Gesu' facade by Alberti
• Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana by Michelangelo: Beautiful courtyard and terracotta floor
• Santa Maria del Fiore: Climbed Brunelleschi's 'Duomo'- terrific view of Florence's skyline
• Piazza Signoria: L-shaped palazzo in front of the Palazzo Vecchio
• Ponte Vecchio Bridge: Bridge that spans the Arno River lined with shops
• Uffizi Gallery: Contains works from major Italian artists such as Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Raffaello
• Spedale degli Innocenti: Also known as the 'Hospital of the Innocents'; designed by Brunelleschi
  

PISA

• Leaning Tower: Belltower for the Cathedral of the city of Pisa that leans due to its faulty foundation and subsoil

BOLOGNA

• Le Corbusier's Exhibition: Recreation of L'Espirit Nouveau
• Arcaded streets

VENICE

• Campanile di San Marco: Excellent view of the city from the top!
• Piazza San Marco
• San Giorgio Maggiore: Church designed by Palladio on an island of Venice
• Santa Maria Della Salute: Baroque basilica
  

VICENZA

• Teatro Olimpico: Renaissance theater designed by Palladio
• Palazzo Chiericati: Palladio!'
• Palazzo Barbaran da Porta: Urban palace designed by Palladio
• Palazzo Valmarano Brago: Palladio's use of giant orders
• Villa Emo: Palladian villa in the Veneto designed for the Emo family
• Villa Rotunda: One of Palladio's best known villas outside of Vicenza
• Villa Barbaro: Large villa at Maser designed by Palladio
• Brion Cemetary: Cemetary designed by Carlo Scarpa

VERONA

• Romeo & Juliet balcony: Don't go here if you're heartbroken
• Castel Vecchio: Castel with Scarpian touches
  

Some Artsy Photos...

Apartment complex in Pisa

Palladio's Villa Rotunda



















Shop overlooking the river in Florence

Anna's Travel Tips

1. Do not bring a 27 inch suitcase whilst traveling. Period. Italy has not caught on to ramps, elevators, escalators, etc.
2. Tide-to-Go is a miracle worker.
3. Bring two fully charged camera batteries everywhere you go.
4. Forget about heels in Italian cities. No matter what anyone says, walking shoes are "in" these days.
5. Research places to go out/ eat at before going to the cities.