CULTURAL INTRODUCTION TO ITALY
SPRING
2019 FLORENCE ITALY
Travel diaries
endicott! FUA Florence University of the Arts & Endicott College
Each year paves the way for a new journey to expose students to a country many will be experiencing for the first time. It is a privilege to share a piece of my home with them and witness the transformation they go through the travel week and within just a few months in Florence.
endicott
college A note from the staff:
Spring 2019 CITI Pre-Semester Field Learning Week I had the great pleasure of participating in the Spring 2019 Cultural Introduction to Italy: Field Learning Week, and it is an experience I will not forget! On paper, this course is a wonderful exploration of Italy. However, the week is so much more than sightseeing. It is a crash course in Italian history, with a peek at the “underground Italy” that exists in Rome. It is an art lesson, with frescoes, brilliant architecture and gardens that will amaze you. And yes, it is a lesson in an important topic of conversation: food. Make no mistake, by the end of this week, you too will find yourself talking about food…while eating. The faculty and staff at FUA (who are fantastic, I will add) have created a week that gives you a taste of what Italy has to offer, and once you have left your latest destination, you wish you had more time. You’ll want to know more about Rome, and hope there is another agriturismo on the schedule! I cannot say enough positive things about this week. I left Florence so happy to have participated, needing to go back, and wanting to learn Italian. Grazie di tutto, FUA.
Spring 2019 CITI Pre-Semester Field Learning Week
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Emma Downey
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Visiting Rome for me, was so impressive. The highlight of our trek through this amazing city was our visit to Vatican City. Seeing the Vatican and learning how this tiny country came to be is very impressive in Italy’s very long history. Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. The sacred wood of Bomarzo was one of my favorite stops on our voyage through Italy. The trip through hell and the monsters that lived there was fascinating. Even more intriguing was that the garden was only recently rediscovered. The end of the
garden was breathtaking as we made it up to paradise, the combination of nature and religion was beautiful and amazing. I was shocked that something this old was only recently discovered.
the food that you are eating nothing more.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was able to see so many important religious MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in artifacts that I would otherwise never have Italian culture. to opportunity to see. The journey had truly The culture surrounding food and wine in been a spiritual pilgrimage that I will always Italy in unlike anything I have experienced carry with me. anywhere else in the world. The attention and pride that goes into each meal is Something that changed my perspective amazing. There is also a ceremony that about Italy was... surrounds the meals of the Italians, they My perspective on food and what it means always sit down and enjoy the company of to share a meal with others has always been each other for meals. They also have a very something I have taken for granted, here it is different perspective on wine, for them it is a ceremony of love and appreciation. only something meant to enjoy with food and even then it is only meant to enhance
endicott COLLEGE
Catherine Elkas
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. in Orvieto. It is shows ingenuity that the of God over an arranged marriage which was Architecture combined with history, artists sought to tell the story to the people rather independent and forward thinking for through art since many could not read. Perugia the time. The Cathedral itself shows how art philosophy, and nature. The Gardens of Bomarzo were my favorite site that we visited during travel week. The eccentric sculptures seemed to belong in the beautiful gardens and I enjoyed the quote at the entrance to view the gardens with wide eyes, raised brows, and an open mind. The idea behind the gardens is to shock the viewer which I found to be a rather modern art concept during the time this place was built (16th century).
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. Orvieto and Perugia were beautiful cities that showed remnants of their ancient pasts. I enjoyed seeing the incredible detail that went into the story of the beginnings of Christianity on the outside of the Cathedral
also has signs of the ancient dominations.
changed as the Cathedral was being built.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in The Cultural Introduction week has helped Italian culture. me step out of my comfort zone and feel Italian food and wine culture is vastly different like a global citizen because… than the US. It is important to sit down and savor good food and wine. Time is not a concern, it is more about enjoying food and the company of dinner companions. I was surprised about the importance Italians place on pairing wine with meals. It helps one to realize the history and cultural implications behind wine.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. I found Assisi’s religious history to be fascinating especially the story behind St. Francis and St. Clare. St. Clare was a rebel who chose a life
I visited places and experienced things I would never have done on my own. The more I learned and saw, the more comfortable I felt in this new place.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… My interactions with the Italian people which made me realize how special this country is. They are so passionate about their culture and history that you can’t help but fall in love with it as well.
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Cristina Fiol
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
During travel week was the second time I visited Rome and I was still continued to be blown away by the history of it all. The very first landmark we visited was the Colosseum. I learned that it was used as an entertainment site for the people of Rome.
From our visit to the MUVIT I learned of the importance of wine throughout Italian culture. Wine was not only a drink that was enjoyed by Italians, it could be used as a form of currency, and was often traded as a popular item. I learned how wine was originally made, and we were able to see a large press that was used to make wine centuries ago.
Perugia and Orvieto: Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art.
Perugia and Orvieto were my two favorite stops during travel week. I enjoyed the small town of Orvieto and its seclusion on the hill from the rest of the region of Umbria. Perugia differed from Orvieto in that it was more of a city.
Religious art is something that I have a strong interest in, so when we visited Assisi I was very excited. While visiting the Basilico of San Francesco d’Assisi, I learned that made people were illiterate at the time the paintings in churches were finished, and that the paintings were used as a way for those who were illiterate to understand stories from the Bible.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because … It allowed me to experience multiple different Italian cultures, not only the Florentine culture. I am grateful that we were able to attend travel week because once arriving in Florence I felt comfortable enough to go out and explore on my own and interact with some of the locals.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… How welcoming and friendly the locals were. With the exception of Rome, no matter where we visited during travel week the locals we encountered in restaurants and stores were always warm and welcoming, despite knowing very little Italian.
endicott COLLEGE
Amanda Gray
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Rome was breathtaking and really opened my eyes to just how much history there is in Italy. Buildings and art from 3,000 years ago are still standing. A lot of the historic architecture is restored in order to keep it as original as possible, which I personally loved. Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. Caprarola and Bomarzo were one of my two favorite places we visited during travel week. It was so nice to be in calm quieter areas after a busy few days in Rome. I also loved the story behind the park. It was amazing to think about how all the stones were there and Fabretti carved
the statues and created the beautiful park.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. My favorite part about both Perugia and Orvieto was the food. They both offered very local and fresh meals that I will always remember. I loved how small and remote Orvieto was and Perugia was fun and very lively.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Assisi was very quiet and beautiful. The Basilica of St. Francis was gorgeous both inside and out. My favorite part was the Santa Maria degli Angeli. It was amazing to see the small chapel inside and the place where St. Francis died. The details in the paintings inside the churches were
incredible. It was crazy to think that it was all built and painted centuries ago.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because‌ I arrived in Italy and was immersed in the culture. After traveling for a week with my classmates and learning more about Italy, I felt much more comfortable and at home by the time I got to Florence. It made the transition much easier.
Something that affirmed my perspective about Italy was... Italians put an incredible amount of thought and care into their meals/the food they eat, which makes it taste even better.
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Emma Hess
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. Something that really stood out to me in Caprarola was the secret garden we were brought to. Behind this beautiful palace was a garden that no tourist would be able to find. It was perfectly constructed with straight lines and trimmed hedges. The architecture from inside the palace to the outside showed how historical this place truly was, you could see the hard work that was put in from years and years before, something I have never seen before. Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. The signs of ancient dominations in Perugia and Orvieto were evident for many reasons. In
Perugia we visited an underground fortress that was so incredible in size it was hard to grasp. The walls went up for what seemed to be miles and winding hallways that never ended, it was clear that they had a good grasp on dominance in Central Italy. Orvieto was different but still had the same ancient domination. It sits on an extremely high point and over looks everything for miles and miles. MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture While at the winery and learning about wine and the Italian culture, I realized the importance it has on the country. There is a deep appreciation for it because of the work that is put in. Italians pride themselves on this craft and I find it incredibly noble that they care so much.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… It forced me out of my comfort zone the second I stepped into Italy. Without this week, it would have been much more difficult to adjust to the Italian lifestyle. I also saw so much of Italy that I wouldn’t have seen on my own as a tourist.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… The people. I expected every Italian to be standoffish and not want to communicate with me because I’m American, but I was pleasantly surprised with some of the locals and their excitement to see an American was around them.
endicott COLLEGE
Meaghan Hunter
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic.
to this that they could be strong, successful, and powerful.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because …
There is history ingrained in essentially every visual aspect of Rome. From the ancient ruins, to street corners, to the artwork covering every inch of churches, there is something to be seen, with a story, everywhere. One thing that we saw that truly amazed me was the colosseum. It’s size and details shocked me with their advancement for something that was built so long ago.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
It has made me aware of cultural differences and social nuances that I had not considered before including meal time etiquette and much more. While it would take me longer than a week, probably longer than four months, to adapt to and adopt these different habits and cues, travel week at least brought them to my attention and made me a conscious global citizen for day to day life in Italy.
Food and wine are a huge part of Italian culture. The wine and the food go hand in hand. When the meal is over, the wine stops flowing. Meals are an experience, with many courses, not to be rushed.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. Perugia and Orvieto are two very important cities to the history of Italy. Both were important to the Pope and the powers of Italy. Also, they are located on hills, at high ground with cliffs on many of their sides. This was for protection from invaders and for advantage upon attack. It is due
I was very surprised when I saw that basically all the art was based on religion. And art covers the city. In a time when there were no books or people that could read them, art, something that you could understand even if you could not read, was used to teach and spread messages. Therefore, artworks were made to teach religion.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… The immense amount of history that it has and the amount of respect the people living here have for it. It was hard to grasp before I arrived here but during travel week I was astonished by the deep history of every corner.
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Stephanie Isidorio
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Being in Rome for the second time was just as amazing as the first. Rome has so much history and beauty. Every corner you take in Rome has different history, culture, and art waiting for you to discover down it.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. Caprarola was a beautiful hillside city with stunning views that even in the fog were breathtaking. The gardens were huge and the way people showed off their wealth years ago. What amazed me the most was the garden in Bomarzo which they uncovered not that long ago.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. My favorite part of Perugia was walking through the underground city. They build this city many years ago to be able to fight battles and hide from intruders and still today you can see the oven in the town’s bakery. You can even see holes on the outside walls from cannons hitting against it during a battle.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped
me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I immediately stepped off the plane and was brought into the daily life of an Italian. I was taught to use the language to help myself get through the daily things i would need in Florence. I now feel confident to navigate myself through any country.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was…
Wine part of the culture along with the food. The food in Italy is like no other. It’s fresh and meant to be a long slow dinner with several courses as we learned through many group dinners. Seeing the wine museum showed just how important wine is to Italians and it was their main source of trade. It was cool to see all the instruments used to make wine and how wine has grown so much over the years.
Being on travel week guided by Italians and hearing about the culture of Italy through their stories. We got to go to small family owned restaurants and seeing exactly how important dinner was to them culturally.
endicott COLLEGE
Riley Jenson
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Rome was everything and nothing like I expected. I knew about the historical sites, but I had no idea of the face-paced atmosphere that fills the city. The city of Rome is filled with so much art and history. It was great to learn some of pivotal moments in Italian history before traveling through the country.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. The architecture at these places was unimaginable. My favorite was the Garden of Bomarzo. This garden had been constructed opposite of others during its time. It’s mysterious
and different. The Villa Lante in Bagania was beautiful too. This garden was the pictureperfect representation of the Renaissance. It’s symmetrical, manicured, and huge.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. Wine is a huge part of the Italian culture. We toured, and tasted, at the Lungarotti winery. This tour was great and taught us all a little background on the meaning of wine in Italy. I would have never guessed that different types of wine are produced in different regions because of the soil. Italian wines are considered to be one of the best in the world, and I now understand why.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Assisi was the most religious town we visited; it
was beautiful. Saint Francis was born here, and a church named after him remains as the most prominent site there. The Basilica of Saint Francis holds a crypt where the tombs of many popes remain.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was able to explore many different areas of Italy, some that were not popular tourist destinations.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… The experience that travel week provided; I learned so much about the true Italian culture.
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Taylor Kozel
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. For me, Rome was the most surreal experience. I have wanted to go see the colosseum and all the history Rome had to offer since I was little. Arriving there I couldn’t believe the amount of history there truly was, and I found it very difficult for me to comprehend how ancient everything truly was. It was the best way to start off travel week and it helped me better understand the building blocks of the Italian history.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. One of the most interesting parts of travel week were the Bomarzo gardens. Everything was laid out so strategically and all of the statues were up for your own interpretation. Caprarola was an incredible mansion with so much history.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. Perugia and Orvieto were my favorite stops of travel week. There was so much to do in Perugia including lots of small shops and restaurants. There were beautiful views throughout both cities. Orvieto was a small quaint town with friendly natives and authentic Italian food and culture.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. It was one of my favorite historical places we visited during travel week. The Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi was breath taking. When you walked in, you could see the years of hard work that was put into this Basilica.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… It allowed me to be independent away from the comfort of my home. I was able to embrace another culture. It was also a good way to transition into Italy, rather than going directly to Florence.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… The amount of history and love within this country. I did not know what to expect when traveling to Europe for the first time. But, on arrival during the travel week I was taken back when I came to the realization of how much history and how ancient things are here.
endicott COLLEGE
Taylor LeBel
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. One Roman site that I have always wanted to see is the Colosseum. What surprised me most about the Colosseum is the several events that took place inside of it. I didn’t know that it was used for gladiator fighting, hunting, and games.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. In Perugia, the underground city, also known as the “Rocca Paolina”, was built between 15401543. It was originally built as a fortress and it stood guard over Perugia. The Etruscans were upset that they were still being ruled as a papal state, so the fortress was a place where they could hide from the Pope until Italy was finally unified.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. What surprised me most about the Italian culture was the importance of food and wine. In Italy, food and wine are mostly consumed as a way to socialize, and people take their time while eating and drinking. The food portion sizes are also much smaller.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. The Cathedral of Assisi symbolizes the Western Art Revolution. During this time, many painters started to make advances in the technique of representing the human body realistically. Therefore, the cathedral was painted with a humanistic style. This style of painting was the kickstart to the humanist movement, which swept through the artistic world and changed the way people looked at art forever.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was able to explore so much of the country in such a small amount of time. In just one week, I met a lot of new people and saw monuments that have had an incredible significance on Italy’s history and culture.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… The importance of religion. Religion has shaped Italy into what it is today and it will continue to have a lasting impact on the Italian culture.
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Victoria LeBlanc
Rome: 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic Rome is a place of great history and great art, from the times of ancient Rome all the way through the birth of the Italian Republic. The Colosseum was built as a place for entertainment, where people could go to watch things like gladiator fights or public executions. It’s role as a social hub is integral to the history of Rome.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo: Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature Of these three locations, Bomarzo was my favorite. Not only did its strange architecture appeal to my sense of curiosity, but its connection to nature, history, and philosophy was unmatched. During the time in which it was
built, gardens were very carefully planned, with a beginning and an end.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture In Italian culture, wine and food are integral. In ancient times, wine was considered to be a sacred thing, and was only drunk in order to get closer to God. Now, it is just as important, but in a different way. Wine and food are so important in Italy. You’ll seldom find one without the other, and in you’ll never find a social situation in which there is neither wine nor food.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art Religion has a very big influence on art, in modern times and throughout history. In Assisi, there lies the Cathedral, which was very influential during the Western Art Revolution of the 13th century. During this time, there was a
shift towards naturalism, which made the people look more realistic, but also more stylized. There was also the stained glass windows.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was given the freedom to explore a completely different culture on my own. I had time to explore on my own. And gain confidence in navigating new places.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… Travelling within and outside of Florence. I always had a picture of what Italy would be like in my head, but I was quick to realize just how different the varying parts of Italy could be.
endicott COLLEGE
Araya Lessard
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic.
natured based garden while the other two were based off architecture.
made me so speechless and I have never seen anything like it.
It was very cool experience. I learned about so many things about Rome during my history classes throughout grade school. The colosseum and the Trevi Fountain were my two favorite destinations in Rome. I learned that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, it ensures a return trip to Rome.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because‌
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. The Caprarola villa Lante and Bomarzo was created in the 16th Century. When Orsini’s wife died he constructed his garden to deal with his grief to producce beautiful art which contained history based on all the different structures. The artist and architects behind the gardens created them in such a unique way. Villa Lante was a
Perugia and Orvieto are both located up on top of a hill. They have the feel of a modern city or town but with their respect from their past their town is admired. The walls and views from Orvieto were amazing and Perugia was such a unique experience. The location was chosen to show dominance back in ancient Italy.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Assisi is the city where Saint Francis was born, where he worked, and where he died. The basilica was one of my favorite places to visit. The basilica was an extraordinary example of an architectonic complex that has heavily influenced the development of art and architecture. The beautiful architecture and the littlest details
I got to experience all aspects of the Italian culture through the different types of foods, drinks, architecture and language. I was able to learn and gain experience of the Italian culture. I especially enjoyed learning the Italian language and trying to speak.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was... How Italians live their own lifestyle. They are so care free and never in a rush. They also really appreciate and take pride in their food, drinks, family, and cultural.
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Katherine Longworth
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. It was incredible to see all of the monuments in real life. The colosseum was spectacular as our tour guide told us the main function of the colosseum, which was for gladiator fights and public entertainment.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. One of my favorite parts of travel week was going through the Sacred Grove of Bomarzo. Usually gardens are created to be symmetrical throughout Italy and have a certain look, but this garden was distinguished from other Renaissance ones because of its lack of structure and was meant to show a sense of confusion. In Caprarola, we visited the Palazzo Farnese which involved two architects and had a grotesque
structure to it with the mythical paintings inside and archways leading you into different rooms.
food and wine brought people together and was a way to communicate and connect with others.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because…
Orvieto had an opposite environment from Rome. Perugia had more of a city-feel and had amazing chocolate and pastries that we were able to try. It was interesting learning about the significance of these cities as they are a part of central Italy which were dominating in ancient times due to the Etruscans.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. After just spending the first couple of days in Italy during travel week, I instantly understood the importance of food and wine and the traditions with it. Their cuisine is made with simple ingredients with the use of extra-virgin olive oil as the base of almost every dish. I noticed that
Of the diverse Italian meals I was able to try. During the Intro week we were given dishes inspired by the Italian city we were in and I wouldn’t have ordered these types of meals if I were on my own.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… Traveling through the different regions. Each region had a different atmosphere and environment. Italy doesn’t have just one ‘stereotypical’ lifestyle.
endicott COLLEGE
Alison McInnis
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. The Sacred Grove of Bomarzo and Palazzo Farnese di Caprarola were amazing sites with historic architecture. Bomarzo was commissioned by Pier Francesco Orsini, and it is believed that his reasoning for creating the garden was a means of coping with his wife’s death. The Palazzo Farnese di Caprarola was a gorgeous mansion was ruled by Alessandro Farnese and a permeable example of Italian Renaissance architecture.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. Perugia and Orvieto were dominant in the Umbrian central region of Italy. The citizens of Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia were granted a voice in decisions that needed to be made such as how the city should function and be designed. With Orvieto, the Middle Ages were a time for
the small Italian city to grow wealthy and expand. The city-state controlled its surrounding territories from seizing power after turmoil with Rome.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. Italians take extreme pride in the quality production of their food and wine. Italian cuisine is known for using fresh local ingredients and having multiple courses, including aperitivo, antipasto, a first and second course with a paired wine, and dessert. Having a meal in Italy is an experience that gathers people together. It is part of Italian culture to enjoy a glass of wine with your meal.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. In this town, religion had an influence on the art that was created during the 13th century. The Cathedral of Assisi, one of the most important
cathedral’s in all of Italy that holds the remains of Pope Francis.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was being put into a brand new situation and did not know what to expect or what it would be like and I feel more educated on all of Italy’s history and significance to the world.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… Their passion. It is really refreshing to see a culture that is so proud of their food and wine and their love for making a meal and sharing it with people they love.
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Hannah Merritt
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. Our travels through Caprarola, allowed me to experience the remarkable beauty and nature of Italy. The town itself made me feel as though I was in authentic Italy. It made me feel cozy, comfortable. I loved experiencing the humorous pieces of art in the Bomarzo gardens.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. From the views to the rich history it holds, Orvieto was a beautiful place to visit. It is home to one of the most amazing cathedrals I have ever seen, with the most intriguing style of architecture. Being the opposite of Rome, it was not touristy at all and gave me more appreciation for the town and its rich history. Perugia was the same way. With the underground city, I learned a lot about the Etruscans and their way of life.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. I learned that Italians take great pride in their food and wine in their everyday lifestyle. Going to the wine museum expressed the importance of wine since the beginning of the Etruscan times. It gave the Italians something to trade and make a profit on.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Assisi is the birthplace of Saint Francis, where we walked among nuns and monks, giving off that religious feel. The beautiful hilltop town, that is home to the Saint Peter’s Basilica, was the most prestigious and beautiful church I have ever been in. The art on the walls that told a story is what I found most interesting. Assisi was by far one of my favorite places that we visited.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… We were immediately immersed into the Italian Culture. Going outside of my comfort zone, I was seeing and doing things I never thought I would experience before. I feel like I can appreciate the difference in the culture more than I had before.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… That I always believed Italians to be loud and boisterous. I have learned though this is not the case. Italians are very respectful of others and do things at a slower pace, compared to Americans.
endicott COLLEGE
Casey Monahan
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. The Roman mythology of Romulus and Remus led to the birth of the Italian Republic. The story of Romulus and Remus is about twin brothers who led to the founding of Rome. Born to princess Rhea and Roman god of war Mars, the king was scared that the twins would take his throne. To prevent this, the boys were left in a basket on the Tiber River. After being found by a she-wolf and taken in by a shepherd, the boys grew to become leaders. After Remus was captured and taken to the king and Romulus tried to rescue him, they ended up killing the king. They turned down the crown as joint kings, because they wanted to start their own city - Rome. After the Etruscan kings were overthrown, the first form of government in Ancient Rome was the Roman Republic.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. One sign of ancient dominations in Perugia is the underground city, which was a fortress commissioned by Pope Paul III after Perugia was defeated in the Salt War. The origins of Orvieto go back to Etruscans, and remained under Roman domination until the decline of Western Roman Empire.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. The earliest influence of wine culture traces back to the Etruscans, who practiced wine production and trade. Different regions began to grow and produce their own varieties of grapes, further influencing the culture of growing, producing, and trading.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because‌ From day one, we were immersed into a new environment in which we had to adapt culturally and socially. From this experience, I have felt more comfortable with trying new things, and fostered a respect for the Italian lifestyle.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was‌ Getting to travel to different regions during Travel Week. Each location allowed us to experience different environments, lifestyles, and unique sites. It gave us the opportunity to become more culturally knowledgeable, which helped us to prepare before immersing ourselves in a more independent environment.
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2019
Emma O’Keefe
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. The Colosseum was built in order to provide entertainment for the Ancient Romans. It was utilized for animal fights, public executions, and gladiator fights during this time period. Construction began in 70 AD and was opened 10 years later. The building itself was constructed mostly from limestone, which was carried by the builders from over a mile away. The structure seated people from all classes.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. During travel week we visited the Sacred Wood of Bomarzo, one of my favorite places we visited. This was considered one of the three main Renaissance Gardens. This garden however, was distinguished from the others due to its
presence of obscure stone statues that are made directly from the rock in the area. The garden evokes feelings of confusion and disgust from its visitors.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy.
the biggest contributions to the economy during this time. Today, it remains one of the most important exports, other than leather.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped
Present day Perugia sits atop the underground city of Perugia. The origin is Rocco Paulina. This was a medieval fortress that was built by Pope Paul III. The fortress was built after Perugia was defeated in the Salt War as a sign of renewed papal dominion.
me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because this is the first time I have traveled out of the country without my family and I’ve had to learn to live completely independently.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was…
Wine was and remains to be an essential part of Italian culture. Originally, when the Etruscans inhabited the land, wine was used to trade for profit, used for religious purposes, and it was consumed by the people. Wine trade was one of
Living in an apartment in Florence and adapting to a more laid back lifestyle like many Italians live by.
endicott COLLEGE
Hannah Pesci
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. As Rome is rich in history, being present amongst some of the most historical landmarks in history was something I will never forget. The Colosseum, a place in which used to host entertainment for the civilians, was more incredible in person. The way in which this building was constructed and still standing today, is more impressive to me than a newly built modern building that we are used to seeing.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. One aspect that makes Villa Farnese particularly interesting is the way it is structured, due to one side being designated for colder months, and the other for warmer months. Outside was
a breathtaking garden, which seemed to follow a very uniform and symmetrical shape. This was shown to us to compare the Bomarzo gardens which follow no uniform structure with no meaning.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy.
basilica and the superior basilica. The interesting part about this cathedral was that it portrayed two different themes; one being a Gothic style and the other being Romanesque style.
The Cultural Intro week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because‌
Perugia was one of my favorite places that we visited. We visited the underground city, and Fontana Maggiore in Piazza IV Novembre. Orvietto, a smaller city in Italy, was placed on top of windy hill. We visited a cathedral named Duomo di Orvietto.
I was able to indulge myself within both cities and the country side, giving myself a better understanding of what a tourist destination is, to a normal Italian lifestyle would be.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art.
The way in which they value their culture. Whether it may be their food or how they go about presenting themselves, everything is achieved to a certain standard.
Assisi was also a small city perched on top of a hill like Orvieto. Here, we visited a very unique cathedral: Basilica of San Francis. This cathedral consisted of two different floors, the inferior
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was‌
SPRING
2019
Madison Poulin
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. At first it was hard to wrap my head around how ancient so much of its history actually is; the Colosseum, the ancient ruins in the Roman Forum, the spot where it is believed Julius Caesar was laid to rest…seeing all of the history culminate together into art and religion in St. Peter’s Basilica was my favorite part of the whole week.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. The gardens of Bomarzo and Villa Farnese were drastically different. Bomarzo, was meant to puzzle guests, and leave them unsettled with its confusing paths and odd statues, while Villa Frances was more traditionally aesthetically
pleasing, geometric, and flat, with familiar sculptures that guests could recognize.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. There is evidence of wine that dates back to the ancient Etruscans and even before. Once Christianity was introduced, wine became even more important, as it developed religious aspects and traditions that people continue to follow today. The banquets of ancient Rome always included wine paired with different types of food.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Our tour guide in Assisi often related paintings on the beautiful church’s walls to movies that we see today. These magnificent paintings depicted the amazing life of Saint Francesco, who devoted his life to helping the poor, spread Christianity,
and performed incredible miracles. The two different churches within the church in Assisi told different stories or “movies” of his life: the lower and humbler dark and the upper light and heroism.
The Cultural Intro week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was lucky enough to experience places that many people will never see in their lives, especially small towns like Assisi or Orvieto.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… How different each individual town is from one another. They all have their own art, histories, culture, and little quirks that made each place we visited unique from the last.
endicott COLLEGE
Meghan Price
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Rome was a very unique and humbling experience for me. Going to Rome and being able to see all the history that dates back significantly farther than American history is really incredible. I got to experience the Colosseum and walk inside a structure that gladiators once stepped foot on. It was a really great start to travel week.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. Caprarola, especially the villas, was a great way to introduce us to Italian architecture and show us all how it evolved over time. I found it really interesting to compare this style of architecture with some of the other places we had seen. The grotesque paintings were also really interesting and helped gain more perspective on Italian
art and daily life of those who were perhaps wealthier. In addition, going to Bomarzo was interesting. It was very mysterious and one of my favorite places.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. Perugia and Orvieto were both interesting because they were places I had heard of previously. It was fascinating to see the underground tunnels, the chocolate shops, and how different each place we visited was. Each city possesses its own unique feel, its own style, and life.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. Food and wine play a significant role in Italian culture, perhaps more than I had initially thought. The wine in Italy has many standards it has to be held to, and wine is appreciated
for its tradition, history, and link to various geographic locations. Furthermore, food also carries a significant role because each region of Italy prepares food differently and has its own signature dishes.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because‌ I had to manage a lot on my own. I had to navigate language barriers, find my way around a foreign country, manage my time and money.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was‌ The value Italians place on tradition. Italians take time and effort to do something authentically and that is really unique.
SPRING
2019
Emily Roach
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Throughout my time in Rome I was astonished by the architecture and love for the city each citizen possessed. It helped me to fall in love with this place much easier and helped for a smooth transition into the Italian culture. I was mesmerized by each detail and description that went along with each site.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. Upon our arrival in Bomarzo, I was immediately relaxed. The gardens and sculptures within Mostri Park expressed the nature and history of art. One of the main highlights of the week that stood out to me was the visit to Villa Farnese in Caprarola. The visit to this mansion amazed me
with its thousands of detailed paintings showing its history, nature and religious elements in each design.
the Basilica, there were several paintings that depicted St. Francis’s life that were interesting to see and watch his life and miracles through art.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because…
The MUVIT museum helped us to learn the importance of wine and food in Italian culture. Even after the light wine tasting, I learned how the different tastes should complement certain dishes and how the aging and process of the wine-making, is a long and important process in Italian culture, wanting to drink the best wine for any type of gathering.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Assisi is known for the birthplace of St. Francis which is one of Italy’s patron saints. The Basilica of St. Francis showed us just how prominent St. Francis was in this town within Italy. Within
I was immediately indulged in the Italian culture as soon I began walking around Rome. Through my first interactions with my cultural introduction professor and diving into the language, food, history, and new sites every day, I was fully immersed in the new lifestyle I was about to live for the next four months.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… I was intrigued by the slower lifestyle juxtaposed with a faster pace lifestyle. (The cars vs. the pedestrians).
endicott COLLEGE
Zoe Rowland-Simpson
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in The Cultural Intro week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global Italian culture. I think most people tend to have an association citizen because…
Before travel week, I did not know how important gardens were to Italians and their history. Although most Italians took pride in symmetrical gardens, Bomarzo showed how they saw things from a different perspective. Personally, I liked that the intention of these gardens was to be mysterious, allowing people to have their own interpretations. Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. Aside from Roma, Perugia was my (other) favorite city during travel week. The food we had was incredible but the history behind, or should we say underneath, was even better. I think that being able to explore the underground part of Perugia, and see models of what the ancient city used to be like was a really cool experience.
of wine and food with the Italian family and their culture. Being in Italy, you see further just how much pride Italians have in their cooking, making sure that every dish cooked is perfecto!
Italians are very friendly towards visitors, even in smaller towns. In France they want nothing to do with you, but here they welcome you and that makes you feel more at ease in a new county.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was…
Assisi was one of the prettiest towns we visited, and the size was perfect for an afternoon of exploring. There were not a ton of visitors the day we went so when we were inside St. Francis’ Basilica, we were able to appreciate the art more, and then have a better understanding of the way the artist’s used the paintings to show visitors God’s meaning.
seeing how Italians cherish their food and wine. I knew it was an important part of their lives, but did not expect to see them put so much effort and pride into the way they cook, and how they drink wine.
SPRING
2019
Serena Sandoval
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic.
Italy, and introduced to me the art of pairing food with wine.
Rome was my first experience of a culture, and all aspects of this ancient city surpassed any expectations I had. The most prevalent part of Rome was the history, in the form of architectural structures such as the Pantheon, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and the Arch of Titus. It truly put into perspective the importance art and architecture held in ancient Roman times.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of Ancient dominations in Central Italy.
In Italian culture, wine and food hold ample significance that goes beyond consumption during meal times. Upon visiting the Lungarotti Winery, our group walked through the multiplestep process that yields such fine quality Italian wine, followed by a wine tasting. This experience deepened my appreciation for wine culture in
Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis, is a beautiful hilltop city in central Italy home to the Basilica of San Francesco (Saint Francis). The art covering the walls and ceilings of the Basilica is predominantly gothic art, portraying momentous biblical events so that those who were not literate could understand God’s messages.
Perugia and Orvieto were two very authentic Italian cities located in the Umbria region of Italy. These places highly contrasted the tourist-y feel that Rome exuded, and portrayed a larger sense of community and peace. When visiting Perugia, we got to see this underground city, which uncovered a new layer of history that is
associated with the once very powerful Etruscan civilization. The Cathedral in Orvieto was by far my favorite cathedral.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because‌ From the moment we arrived in Italy, we immersed ourselves into Italian life, and firsthandedly experienced the defining aspects of Italian culture including food, history, art, architecture, and religion.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was‌ Seeing how much Italians value their history, and put so much effort into keeping it alive. It is so admirable to view multiple ancient structures amidst a modernized Italian society.
endicott COLLEGE
Claire Shields
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic.
the first type of art where it felt as though the pictures were coming off of the wall.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because...
There are many historical entities in Rome, from the roads you walk down every day to the Coliseum and the Trevi Fountain. Waking up in Rome the first day was an absolutely surreal experience, from seeing the history, architecture, art, and just the general first observation of the Italian lifestyle was incredible.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
I was introduced immediately into the culture. This includes different foods I ate (and when), how I dressed, and the societal standards I was held to.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art.
One of my favorite spots during the pre-travel week in Italy was Orvieto. This town looked like something that could only been seen through a picture, and while I was there I felt as though I were in a fairy-tale. The whole entire town sat up on top of a cliff, and we could only get there by taking a series of escalators. The art inside of the Duomo of Orvieto had amazing artwork and was
Food and wine are very important to the Italian culture. Italians take a lot of pride in their quality of food and wine, and they always make sure to give you the best experience of it. It is viewed of more of an art in their culture.
Visiting Assisi was incredible because of the impact that religion has on the town, there is a lot of influence over the town that is due to religious stories. St. Francis Cathedral was one of the first places where the artwork on the walls told a story, our tour guide told us to think of the art work as a play, and each section being different scenes of the play.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was‌ how much better the quality of food is compared to the food in America. Laws for their food are much stricter than in America and quality is better.
SPRING
2019
Sarah Smith
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. At the beginning of travel week, I learned rather quickly how much significant history there is in Rome. It was amazing to see the inside of the Colosseum and to understand what it was used for in Ancient Rome. Additionally, it felt surreal to be looking at places such as the Roman Forum, which is over 3000 years old, and realize how incredible it is that some of these structures are still standing today.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. It was a great experience visiting the little town of Caprarola in the countryside and seeing the Farnase Palace. The frescos and artwork inside the palace were absolutely beautiful and it was interesting to learn about the history behind
them. I had also never seen anything quite like the Bomarzo Gardens. Every single sculpture was incredible and I learned that these were comparable to the seven wonders of the world.
influence on art by visiting the Basilica of St. Francis. The amazing frescos that cover the walls of this Basilica portray the life of St. Francis, one of Italy’s patron saints.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because…
Coming to these smaller towns after visiting Rome was a great change of pace and opened my eyes to what smaller communities are like in Italy. In Perugia it was intriguing to go on a tour of the wine cellars and to learn about how they make the wine. In Orvieto, I was amazed at the artwork on the inside and outside of the Duomo and how most of the art was portraying heaven and hell.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. I loved visiting this little Italian town with beautiful cathedrals and breathtaking scenery. It was clear to me that religion had a large
I experienced a different culture and was exposed to new environments. As the picky eater I am, I was happy that I jumped out of my comfort zone.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… how Italians eat in their daily lives and how many courses they eat at dinner. They take their meals very seriously and it is more of an event than just dinner.
endicott COLLEGE
Jordyn Valencourt
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from different rooms depending on what the purpose. Roman times through the birth of the Italian Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient Republic. One of my favorite parts was learning all about dominations in Central Italy. the Colosseum. Everything made by hand and it only took them 9 years to complete. Something I didn’t expect was how the city was laid out. It was sort of like a city built around monuments that didn’t belong there. St. Peter’s Basilica was by far the most beautiful place in Rome.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. Bomarzo was unlike anything I have seen before. It was the only one of the three types of gardens that had no rhyme or reason as to what it was created for and what it meant. I was so attracted to Caprarola. The paintings inside of the Villa Farnese were absolutely breathtaking, and everyone so unique. Different murals painted for
Perugia and Orvieto were the two most interesting and beautiful stops of the whole week. The views that they brought were unforgettable and the small town of Orvieto brought me back to being back home almost. I also appreciated that fact that the Duomo di Orvieto was one that spiked some controversy. The amount of naked bodies discouraged viewers. As far as Perugia goes, everything from the underground tunnels to the historic bakery and chocolate tasting were great.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. I realized how important food and wine is here. We got the full tour of the wine cellars and learned about their famous process. Getting to taste the wine was an even better experience,
where we got to understand the different flavors, scents, and pairings of their wine.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I originally come from a small town and have never travelled anywhere. Getting the opportunity to travel all around Italy has opened my eyes too so many cultural differences and to new things.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… The scale of all of their architecture. When I thought about italy, I immediately think small villas and vineyards. Visiting Rome and living in Florence changed that.
SPRING
2019
Kayla Wentworth
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. It was the true Italian experience. When we visited the gardens, it was truly inspiring to see how each garden had different structures to it. The one thing I remember about the gardens was the 3D sculptures and being able to see how much work was put into each.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. Perugia was a city on a hill which was truly so cool, I remember driving up and being amazed. The city has so much culture and history, we walked through caves and passages that connect each side. On our visit to Orvieto, we walked the whole city, it was very small but very cute and
quaint. The thing I remember most is the huge church and how beautiful it was.
the greatest artists, Cimabue and Giotto, worked on the church.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because…
Going to the MUVIT museum was so interesting. Coming here and having the experience of seeing how long it takes to make wine, how many steps there are and how each wine is different. Learning that different foods pair with different wines is awesome.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Assisi is truly a beautiful city. It was definitely one of the most religion thick places I have ever been and it was truly amazing. From the basilica of San Francesco d’ Assisi to castle, this place was truly beautiful. I got a sense of how true the artwork was here because I learned that two of
It brought me out of my comfort zone and taught me that if I travel to places I may not “want” I will learn and discover more and these places may just become some of my favorite.
Something that changed my perspective about Italy was... How welcoming and family like everyone was. Every single place we go, people are so quick to help us and ask how we are doing. It is truly amazing.
endicott COLLEGE
Taylor Wildrick
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Exploring Rome was like taking a step into the past. It was amazing to see the fruits of the ancient Romans’ imagination. Walking through the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, I found myself in awe at the forward thinking and immense creativity in Roman architecture and design.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. The Sacred Wood of Bomarzo was one of the most striking examples of the harmony between different fields of learning in ancient Italy. The sculptures strewn throughout the garden represented everything from alchemy to religious stories and even mythological beings.
The combination of sacred stories and figures and the historical knowledge about how alchemy and philosophy clashed with the more accepted views and practices of the time combined to create a truly ethereal experience in Bomarzo.
MUVIT: the meaning of wine and food in Italian culture. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Italian culture is the prevalence of wine and food throughout every field of thinking, from art and architecture to philosophy and religion. Our visit to Lungarotti winery and the MUVIT wine museum truly captured the importance of wine in Italian culture.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. Religion shone through the architecture of Assisi’s main church and even the design of the city’s welcoming arch. One of the most
striking examples of this were the towering frescoes covering the walls of the Basilica of San Francesco, depicting the stories of Saint Francis and the path he followed throughout his life.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was able to experience and appreciate not only the current customs and culture of Italy, but also the incredibly rich history of the country, and I truly believe this experience has changed my outlook on the past, present, and future. Something that changed my perspective about Italy was… the sheer importance of religion in every aspect of Italian culture, from art to architecture, and its impact on Italian history.
SPRING
2019
Katherine Williams
Rome, 3000 years of art and history from Roman times through the birth of the Italian Republic. Rome was my favorite place to visit due to its historical significance, but also my least favorite in terms of crowdedness. Seeing the Colosseum in person really made me appreciate the ancient culture. The architecture was beautifully thought out and executed; so well in fact the structure is still sound after the earthquake.
Caprarola, Villa Lante, and Bomarzo. Architecture combined with history, philosophy, and nature. In Caprarola, we were taken to visit Villa Farnese. This building was designed to resemble the shape of a pentagon, with each wall facing towards the center circular courtyard. Inside each of the rooms of this country house was
decorated with ornate paintings that exemplified the Renaissance era. We also saw the confusing gardens of Bomarzo. Here we were shown stone sculptures of very odd creatures or what seemed to be scenes from a story.
Perugia and Orvieto. Signs of ancient dominations in Central Italy. One of the most amazing things I remember about Perugia was seeing the Fontana Maggiore in Piazza IV Novembre. The fountain represented the idea that technology was arriving in Perugia due to the running water, seeing as though there had previously only been wells. The square was a hub for communication because it included the fountain at its center surrounded by a religious power, being the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and a political power being Palazzo dei Priori. Orvieto was a town built on top of a mountain. Here we visited a beautiful gothic cathedral called Duomo
di Orvieto displaying beautiful paintings and stained-glass windows.
Assisi: The influence of religion on art. In Assisi, we visited one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen. We toured Basilica of San Francis, which had two levels; the lower or inferior basilica, and the superior basilica. This cathedral demonstrated both Romanesque and Gothic styles of art including works from Cimabue, Giotto and Lorenzetti.
The Cultural Introduction week has helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel like a global citizen because… I was given the change to immerse myself into another culture by exploring the city on my own and even purposely getting lost just to find my way through a city that was quickly becoming my home.
CREDITS Photo Credit: Endicott Students Spring 2019 Production Coordinator: Alice Cini
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