La dolce far niente
Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire before it was even an Empire. The city was founded as a settlement on the Palatine hill in the first half of the seventh century B.C. The Romans expanded, first in Italy, then throughout the mediterranean and as far as today’s England. The city of Rome remained the capital city until the Emperor Diocletian moved it to Mediolanum – today’s Milan – in 286 A.D. Today the planning for any building project...
Rocca Massima is a small hill town near Rome. Like so many of these wonderful towns it has been losing population for decades. At one time it was the home to people who worked on the farms in the valley below while enjoying the safety and warm breezes of living on a hill. There is no way for cars trucks or trains to climb the hill, so supplies are brought up by donkey to this day. As the jobs on...
by Rich Olimpio · Published April 4, 2019 · Last modified December 27, 2020
Spoleto is a hill town in Umbria, not Lazio like Rome, but it is just around an hour away by train. There are several Roman era sites and a large medieval castle, The Rocca Albornoziana, located at the top of the hill.
by Rich Olimpio · Published April 8, 2019 · Last modified February 4, 2021
Fiesole is a small town on the hill above Florence. Settled by the Etruscans and later taken over by the Romans. After the Romans took over the area and founded Florence in the valley below, Fiesole became a favorite place to get away from the heat and ciaos of Florence. In the middle ages, Wealthy and powerful families built villas in Fiesole. There is a Medici villa at the edge of town built in the 1450s. This custom continues through...
by Rich Olimpio · Published April 4, 2019 · Last modified August 9, 2022
Contona is a wonderful Tuscan hill town about an hour and a half from Florence by train. Note that the train station is at the town of Camucia in the valley below Cortona – a bus takes you up into Cortona. As was the case for many cities in this part of Italy, it was originally settled by the Etruscans and later taken over by the Romans. We were there in early December, so Christmas season was well under way....
Bologna is the capital city of Umbria, in north central italy. It has a history which goes back to the Etruscans and continues with the Romans. One of it’s greatest claims is that it is the home of the oldest University, The University of Bologna, founded in 1080 A.D. The city is also known for it’s porticos throughout the city. Archiginnasio and Teatro Anatomico The Archiginnasio is part of the University of Bologna. It has the characteristic porticos of Bologna...
by Rich Olimpio · Published April 4, 2019 · Last modified December 22, 2020
The hill town of Gubbio is located in Umbria, not far from Perugia. It’s history pre-dates the Romans, being occupied as far back as the bronze age. There is a wonderful Funiva which will take you on a beautiful ride to the top of the mountain where the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo is located. It is also host to the largest Christmas tree in the world. Another claim to fame for Gubbio is that the Italian television program Don Matteo –...
by Rich Olimpio · Published April 4, 2019 · Last modified January 23, 2022
High on the list of the many must-see sites in Italy, Pompeii provides a day in the life of a Roman town frozen in time. From Public spaces to living spaces Villas and Insulae ,to Baths to Food Spaces , to the haunting body casts and the tombs. Intriguing businesses such as the Fullery. The above picture is taken from the Forum facing the platform where the city temple to the gods was located(the six columns). Mount Vesuvius looms above...
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