We’re finally ready to enter the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana – a museum and library, (Biblioteca Ambrosiana), in central Milan. We’re here to see Petrarch’s personal copy of Virgil’s classic works. That book was Petrarch’s workbook. He studied it, made notes in the margins, and took it with him everywhere he went – 600+ years ago. So here we go, in search of Petrarch. Continue reading “In Search of Petrarch”
Petrarch Who?
Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the oldest museum in Milan, has in its collection a very special book. The book is Petrarch’s personal copy of the works of the Roman poet, Virgil. Hold on, there. Petrarch? Petrarch who? Petrarch: the first writer to emerge from the Dark Ages. You need to get to know him. Continue reading “Petrarch Who?”
Dove si trova la Pinacoteca Ambrosiana?
We’re kinda lost, but not really, because I know the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana is around here somewhere. That being said, it’d really be nice to know which direction to go from here. Our choices are to take a guess and hope for the best, or to ask someone. I’m going to ask… Continue reading “Dove si trova la Pinacoteca Ambrosiana?”
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
We’re in central Milan, inside Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, trying to find something to eat. From the floor of the Galleria, we could look up and see a place where people were enjoying themselves and having lunch. We wanted to be where they were, doing what they were doing, but we couldn’t figure out how to get there. Continue reading “Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II”
Milan’s Piazza del Duomo — Life in the Fascism Lane
A light rain is falling on Milan’s Piazza del Duomo. Our tour of Sforza Castle and Leonardo’s Last Supper is over, so now we’re back on our own. As far as city squares go, this is a big one – really big, and kind of ominous. This is where Mussolini gave so many speeches to cheering crowds. I assume they were cheering. If anyone wasn’t cheering, they probably got bopped on the head with a nightstick. Fascism was like that. Continue reading “Milan’s Piazza del Duomo — Life in the Fascism Lane”
Leonardo’s Last Supper
Shhh! We’re in the refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie, looking at Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of The Last Supper. It’s dark and quiet in here. We’re with a tour guide, but she’s letting us soak it all in for a while before telling us about the amazing fresco in front of us. Continue reading “Leonardo’s Last Supper”
Leonardo’s “The Last Supper,” or “It’s Not Easy being a 15th-Century Fresco”
There’s a 550-year-old church in the heart of Milan known as Santa Maria delle Grazie. We’re here with a tour group to see Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper. This is the same painting that Ludovico Sforza hired Leonardo to do so he could get in good with church leaders. (Perhaps you will recall their conversation). Here we go… Continue reading “Leonardo’s “The Last Supper,” or “It’s Not Easy being a 15th-Century Fresco””
Ludovico, Leonardo, and the Last Supper
There’s a huge fountain in front of Sforza castle. It’s called the “Wedding Cake Fountain”, because when its plumes of water are turned on full blast, it resembles a wedding cake. It’s symbolic of the good times in Milan’s history. But as you know if you’ve been following along, the good times didn’t last forever. Continue reading “Ludovico, Leonardo, and the Last Supper”
Sforza Castle – Through Good Times and Bad
It has stopped raining here in Milan, Italy. We’re taking a mini-tour today that will take us to Sforza Castle and to the convent of Santa Maria della Grazie, where we’ll get to see Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper. Our gigantic tour bus is pulling up to Sforza Castle now. Whoa. I’ve seen a few castles in my day, but I’ve never seen one that looks like this. Continue reading “Sforza Castle – Through Good Times and Bad”
Uno Spuntino a Milano (A Snack in Milan)
We’ve just arrived at Milan’s Piazza del Duomo. A light rain is falling, but it’s still a spectacular place to be. The appearance of the Duomo itself is almost beyond belief. We’re going to take a mini-tour of the city, but first we need to get something to eat. The bad news is that we don’t have much time. The good news is that we’re in Italy – one of the best places in the world to be hungry. Let’s go have “uno spuntino a Milano.” Continue reading “Uno Spuntino a Milano (A Snack in Milan)”
