BLOG

This is the blog of Steve Burkett of Italy, Our Italy

Index of Italy, Our Italy Blog Articles

I was asked recently to create an index of my past articles for Italy, Our Italy. So that's what I did!

In this index, you will find all 54 articles that I've published over the past year. That's right -- 54! I no idea that I had that much to say about Italy, but as I can't stop talking about it (according to friends), I guess I might as well be writing about it, too

The index is arranged into two columns.

The first column shows all articles arranged by date, with the most recent at the top of the list.
In the second column, you will find articles arranged by subject categories, with the most recent at the top of the list within category...and many of the articles can be found in more than one Subject category.

Some of the articles are obviously more favorite for me than others. It might be the subject, it might be the photos, or it might just be that I fell in love with my own words as I felt I was waxing poetic. Whatever, I have put the dates of my personal favorites in bold and italic.

All you have to do is click on the title for the article and you will be whisked away to the corresponding article -- as if by magic.

If you are new to my Italy, Our Italy blog articles, I hope that you will take a few moments to peruse the list to see if something strikes your fancy, and that you will then read on. If you are not new to by site, I hope that you will look through the list and revisit your own favorite articles. And, I love to get comments, so feel free to use the 'Comments' box to leave me (and the others who read my articles each week), your comments.

So, with no further adieu...[drum roll]...I give you 'The index'.....

Actually, I did come up with another adieu. I will update the index each week and I will have a link at the top of each article that will take you to the index. OK, now, having actually run out of adieus, here it is for you to click on...

>> Index for Italy, Our Italy Blog Articles <<

Ciao for now,

Steve

The Results are in -- Part 10

Just released and on your newsstand today!

If you visit your local Barnes & Noble, you will find the pictured Black & White magazine dubbed 'Special Issue 2016 Contest Winners'. If you turn to page 102, you will find the two-page spread of my photos. This contest is for 'portfolios' of like-subject photos. Five photos were selected to receive this Merit Award.

As often occurs, the photos selected were not ones that were taken in Italy. Might I need to go back to Italy to gather fresh material? I think so.

The selected portfolio of photos were taken in New Orleans. They are a part of a gallery that I title 'The Gritty City' on my non-Italy website at Steve Burkett Photography.

Here are the photos that were selected for recognition.

This first photo is oh, so typical of abandoned buildings in the French Quarter as one gets a bit off of Bourbon Street. I think the redeeming feature is the heart.

Here is one of the many mail boxes you find in the Quarter. And yes, this one is still operational.

And here are a couple more that I didn't submit...

You wouldn't believe the layout of pipes and wires in this city! My subtitle for this one is 'Searching for Code Violations'. Don't you just love the electrical connection wrapped in plastic? I'm thinking that a couple of wraps of duct tape might bring it up to code. Are there no building codes there?

Want to see more? Well here it is...

I took a number of 'slurred' photos whilst roaming New Orleans. By 'slurred' I mean that I held the shutter open for a second or two to...well, to slur the photo. This photo is of the neon sign for Gumbo Ya Ya.

You might like this color version...I certainly like it better. It was the vibrant colors that attracted me to the sign in the first place.

The final winner is one of my favorites. Let's say you are going to visit your friends Veronica and Sam. You know for a fact that they live in this building, so go ahead and ring their bell. Maybe it's the more modern ringer on the top row? This is not an abandoned building folks.

At least your chances are 1 of 2 and 1 of 3 for these two entrances.

But you know what? When all is said and done, I love this city. I mean, besides the fact that man was not meant to live ten feet below sea level, it's a fabulous place. The food is fabulous. The houses in the Quarter and Garden District are fabulous. The river, the boats, the history, all make it a fabulous place to visit. Even the cemeteries are a great place to hang out.

The whole atmosphere is a bit out there. Well, maybe a bit more than just a bit...at least he could have shaved his legs.

Next week it we'll be back to Italy, which is a long, long way from The Gritty City!

Ciao for now,

Steve

Go There: The Church of St Zachariah

Here is a church in Venice that houses saints and a plethora of famous art

The Church of Saint Zachariah (or Saint Zechariah, or San Zaccaria) is one of the very old churches of Venice. It dates from the 800s, but that original church has been built anew a couple of times. The present form took about 60 years to complete in 1515.

Here you can see the facade of this large church.

As you enter the church, you are assaulted by a cacophony of artwork.

View of Saint Zachariah from the entrance door

The church is named after Saint Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist. Zachariah can be seen within the church, resting high on one of its art-adorned walls. In the photo at left, his body rests in the top crypt, held aloft by angels.

The body of Saint Athanasius of Alexandria can be seen in the lower crypt.

Here is a more detailed photo showing the crypt of St Athanasius. I tried to climb up to get a better photo of Zachariah, but alas, the church officials didn't cooperate.

You may remember that Zachariah was approached by the Angel Gabriel and told that he and his wife, Elizabeth, were to have a child, whom they were to name John. When Zachariah suggested that he and Elizabeth were too old, and that he must be mistaken, Gabriel struck him speechless until the blessed event of John's birth came about. When John was older, he became known as John the Baptizer, and it was he that baptized Christ, Himself.

A side altar with the bodies of St Zachariah and St Athanasius

The artworks within the church are many and profound. Those who created the art are a who's who of artists of the time and include: Vecchio, Tintoretto, Porta, Vassilacchi, van Dyck, Celesti, Zanchi, Balestra, Trevisani, and Tiepolo.

But the most famous of all the paintings was created by Giovanni Bellini.

While in his mid 70s and still very much the artist of his time, Belinni painted the church's most famous artwork, Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints, which you can see here.

Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints...and a Musician — *Madonna Enthroned with Child and Saints*...and a Musician

This painting was executed in 1505. One source suggests that this is "Bellini's first work in which the influence of Giorgione is undeniable, starting the last phase in the artist's career, a tonalist one." If you understand that, use the comment box to enlighten the rest of us, please.

OK, I'm going to give you an insight into my artistic ignorance. I know I am supposed to really, reallty like the Bellini, above (which I do think is swell), but my favorite is the altar and dome at the front of the church. I am not really sure who executed these two works (maybe Tiepolo for the ceiling, as that was his specialty), but I found them to be most inspirational. Below is that of which I write.

This closeup shows the beautiful detail in the carvings, decorations, and painting of the altarpiece.

The beautiful altar in the church of Saint Zachariah

There is a bit of scandal associated with the church. Attached to the church was a convent. The nuns of this convent did not go voluntarily to serve Christ, but were thrust there by their parents -- the reason being that if one did not have the funds for a large dowry, then one had a problem when the daughter was of age to marry. The solution was to whisk the daughter away to a convent. The young girls of this convent were not at all happy and did a lot of 'entertaining' inside the convent walls. They had such raucous parties that on one occasion, city officials, trying to intervene to insist on decorum, were driven away with stones by the nuns.

Just a bit of a side note: I notice that in most Venetian churches, actual tapers are used for prayer candles, rather than the votive candles seen in many churches. I have no idea how God feels about that, but I find it pleasing.

I hope that you have enjoyed this glimpse into a fabulously decorated, and ancient church of Venice.

Ciao for now,

Steve

Eat Here: Il Flauto di Pan

In a followup to last week's article on the beautiful Villa Cimbrone, I present their fabulous restaurant, Il Flauto di Pan.

“Wow! I’m very excited about Villa Cimbrone gracing the walls of a new development in San Antonio, Texas. Be sure to read the late-breaking addition to this article at the very bottom. ”

“I have never lied to you, and I won’t start now — so when I say ‘we ate every bite’, trust me on that”

We have a general feeling in our family about the quality of a restaurant versus its height above its surroundings...you know, the meals in space-needle-like settings, tops of very tall buildings, etc...often it is the quality of the view that takes precedence over the quality of the food...not always, but often enough that we steer clear without a recommendation.

Here is a restaurant that sits high above the Amalfi Coast, which has both a quality view and quality food.

The remarkable gardens of the Villa Cimbrone extend to the entrance of Il Flauto di Pan, as you can see here with a wall of petite white flowers.

As you are seated, you will find a lovely welcome at your place setting, as shown in the first photo at the top of this article, complete with embroidery hoop. So striking, don't you think?

As we sat, we were treated to both a view of the Amalfi Coat and bread sticks -- two of our favorite things!

In addition, there were two varieties of butter from which to choose.

Il Flauto di Pan is a Michelin-starred restaurant. Having a star is of great significance, and it is extremely hard to get.

If you have watched 'Chopped' on the Food Network, you know that they judge the food on taste, presentation, and originality.

These, of course, are important to the Michelin folks, too. But beyond the food itself are the aesthetics of the restaurant and the ways in which the diner is pampered. Touches like the orchids on your table are taken into account.

As Italian wine lovers, we seldom have cocktails whilst in Italy...well maybe a Negroni or Campari & soda on occasion -- but the suggestion of a Bloody Mary made with fresh-squeezed tomato juice sounded too good to pass up...so we didn't. And man-o-man was it ever good!

We had course after course, some of which I'll show you here. I won't try to tell you exactly what each dish is, because frankly, I can't remember.

I think you can get the gist of a Michelin-starred restaurant from the photos...lots of garnish, debris, drops and plops on decorative substrates with well-placed and tasty sauces. Not only is it pretty to look at, but it is most excellent in taste!

Of course, right now you are asking, "But what about desserts?" My response would have to be, and is, "Yes, they have admirable desserts -- which we did indeed admire, right before we ate them." I have never lied to you, and I won't start now -- so when I say "we ate every bite", trust me on that. And, as unusual, we also enjoyed a dessert wine.

I have to say that we had a wonderful afternoon and evening at the far reaches of Ravello at Villa Cimbrone -- at the villa, the gardens, and the extraordinary restaurant. As I finish, we toast you and say 'thank you' to all of you who loyally read the articles of Italy, Our Italy.

Villa Cimbrone in San Antonio!

You can now find Villa Cimbrone in San Antonio, Texas...at least photos of the villa.

I'm pleased to announce that 210 Development Group, one of the premier property developers in San Antonio and beyond, has ordered eight of my photos of Villa Cimbrone as the wall art for a model in their recently completed Aviator project. This housing project is on the site of the old Brooks Field of World War II fame, now called Brooks City Base.

Here, you can see photos of the installation. My thanks to Alyson Callison, Director of Design for for 210DG, for putting her confidence in my work, and for creating the beautiful model that surrounds my photos.

I suspect you will recognize these photos from last weeks article, titled A Visit to Villa Cimbrone.

Ciao for now,

Steve

p.s You can see other Amalfi Coast blog articles here:

A Visit to Villa Cimbrone

A quiet place of peace and marvelous views.

“The first mention of Villa Cimbrone is found in the 11th century. The origin of the name comes from the rocky outcrop that surrounds the 20-acre site”

It's time to return to the Amalfi Coast...way above the Amalfi Coast.

Getting There

Villa Cimbrone (cheem-bro-neigh) sits in the town of Ravello, at the end of its peninsula-in-the-sky. And Ravello sits high on the escarpment above the town of Amalfi. Getting there is not too difficult, unless you are faint of heart on narrow, winding, ever-climbing, roads.

The road from the Amalfi Coast highway to Ravello gets very narrow...so narrow that a traffic light allows cars going up hill to proceed whilst cars traveling down hill wait, and versa vice. And not all of the vehicles travel up the road at the same pace, as you can imagine from this photo.

[lease click on a photo to get a larger view]

Here you see this peninsula-in-the-sky, which is the town of Ravello. Notice the cliff to the left where The Belvedere is located.

A birds-eye view of the Ravello escarpment

The Piazza and Duomo

One parks, or is dropped off by taxi, at the Piazza, where the duomo, or cathedral church, sits.

I'm not sure if this is admonishment, praise, or otherwise, but the priest of the Duomo has something to say to his parishioner and her sun-glass-wearing son.

Inside the church you will find the typical, gorgeous trappings of Italian churches. Here we see the Angel Gabriel doing battle with Satan, Mary and the soon-to-be-risen Christ, a marble-lion column support, a bronze door with Biblical scenes (well, mostly Biblical, as you can see St George slaying the dragon in one panel), a marble and mosaic altar with Jonah waving farewell as he is devoured by the serpent, and a painted icon.

Young entertainers on the Piazza at Ravello

While we were there, a number of the young of Ravello were having fun making music as they marched around town. I'm not sure if the fingers-in-her-ear girl in the rear is enjoying the group's musical attempts.

These two young men seemed to be particularly zealous in their appointed task.

Our first thoughts as we watched these children was, 'This would be a fabulous place to live.'

A Walk to the Villa

It is a walk of about 4/10ths-of-a-mile from the piazza to Villa Cimbrone, all the while wandering narrow, pedestrian-only walkways. And along the way, you will have ample opportunity to purchase beautiful, hand-painted Italian ceramics. And we love the care that is taken in wrapping purchases. In the photo on the right, notice the ceramic panel in the top-right -- you will see what that scene is in a moment.

Along the way we saw several shrines and vines, and a cat or two.

We came across an occassional lazy dog sleeping under lemon trees, poppies, and views of other towns across the valley.

This fabulous view took our breath away...town after town clinging to the hillside above Amalfi, marred only with the drifting smoke from someone burning their trash. If one isn't born in a particular town, how on Earth could you decide in which to settle?

Looking to the west from Ravello, where the town of Amalfi sits at the terminus of the distant valley

The Villa

At last, we arrive at Villa Cibrone. The first mention of Villa Cimbrone is found in the 11th century. The origin of the name comes from the rocky outcrop that surrounds the 20-acre site, which can be seen in the aerial photo at the top of this article, which was known as 'Cimbronium'. You can read much more about the history of this property on the Hotel Villa Cimbrone website here.

Today, the estate consists of the villa/hotel, a Michelin-starred restaurant (that being the subject of next week's article), the gardens, and the famous scenic viewpoint known as 'The Belvedere.'

Here is your first view of the vine-covered villa as you approach.

You see scenes from inside the walls of the villa, just below.

I particularly like this scene of the stairway, and the intricate pattern of iron work found on the door on the landing.

Verdant Gardens

And then there are the gardens.

The Belvedere

The world-famous Belvedere, perched atop a cliff, offers a magnificent view of the Mediterranean, one which these time-worn busts seem want to ignore.

These statues are actually quite whimsical, as their expressions are not what one normally sees in classic carving. See what I mean by clicking on the thumbnails in these closeup views.

They look very content to be sitting there, don't they?

In this view from The Belvedere, you can see more towns to explore along the Amalfi Coast, should one have the time.

View of the Amalfi Coast looking to the east

I'll leave you with a quote from Gore Vidal concerning The Belvedere: 'A wonderful place from which to observe the end of the world." And when it comes to that, I would have to agree.

Ciao for now,

Steve

Next week: The Michelin-starred restaurant at Villa Cimbrone