Italy: Elderhostel on "Arts of the Veneto" - Page 1

May 13 - 29, 2002

Week 1:  We spent the first week in Padua (Padova) whose roots go back to the 12th century B C.!  We stayed at the hotel Casa del Pellegrino, owned and run by Franciscan monks.  Our room was quite nice, with a huge tile bath.  We took all our meals in the hotel's restaurant. We took 2 side trips -- to the ancient city of Ravenna (whose roots date back to 2nd century B.C.) and to the ancient mountain town of Asolo (dates back to 1st century B.C.) with a stop at the Villa di Maser followed by lunch at the Ristorante da Gigetto in Miane.  The wine cellar was a sight to behold.  One night we attended a performance of the opera "Lucia di Lammermoor" by Donizetti.

Mara & Sebastian St. Anthony Basilica St. Anthony Interior Meringues
Elderhostel Coordinators: Mara and Sebastian

Padua: Our hotel was across from the famous St. Anthony Basilica, owned by the Vatican.

 St. Anthony Basilica, 13th century: High Altar including Donatello bronzes. The Basilica receives many pilgrams who come for healing. Artifacts of St. Anthony are on display. Meringues in bakery window in Padua.
Anatomy Arena Prato delle Valle Scrovegni Chapel Interior, Scrovegni Chapel
University of Padua Anatomy Theater 1594: Oldest such facility in the world. Results of research by the faculty were the discovery and naming of a number of body parts (e.g., Prof. Fallopi). At the base of the theater there is barely room for the body, to give an idea of its small size. Prato delle Valle: One of largest squares in Europe, located on site of an ancient Roman arena. Large market of clothing and other goods held here every Saturday and antique market on the 4th Sunday. Popular rollerblading location. Scrovegni Chapel: Built for the Scrovegni family and decorated in frescoes by renown artist Giotto in 1303-05. In order to visit, the humidity of each group is measured prior to entering in order to preserve the precious art. Inside Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto Frescoes 1305-06: Magnificently restored, the interior of the chapel is one of the finest examples of the artist's work.
St. Apollinaris St. Vitale Villa di Maser Villa di Maser Pool
St. Apollinaris Basilica, Ravenna, 6th Century: Magnificently decorated with gold and turquoise mosaics and columns of marble. Dante died in Ravenna in 1321. The city dates from as early as 200 BC and served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402 AD. St. Vitale Basilica, Ravenna, 6th Century: Detail of mosaics in the altar area of the basilica. The mosaics in Ravenna are considered to be the finest in Western art and most splendid outside of Istanbul (from Frommer's Italy 2001). Villa Barbaro, 1555: Opulent villa in Maser, north of Padua.  Family members still use the left wing of the villa. Villa Barbaro pool:  Picture was taken behind the main villa.  Family members still use the
Ristorante da Gigetto Villa Pisani Villa Pisani Stables
Ristorante Da Gigetto:  This picture shows only about 1/10 of the wine cellar, cooled by a natural spring, under this excellent restaurant in the town of Miane.  The owner prides himself on being able to fill whatever request for wine he might get. Villa Pisani 1720: In Stra, between Padua and Venice. Built by Doge Alvise Pisani of Venice, briefly home to Napoleon, and site of initial meeting between Mussolini and Hitler. Ballroom is covered with Tiepolo frescoes.  This is one of the most elegant villas in Italy. Villa Pisani Stables: Grounds include beautiful gardens and a wonderful maze of hedges.  I liked this building so much that I had a mural painted over our bathtub from this picture. Villa Pisani Maze:  This picture shows about 1/4 of the large circular maze of hedges with a tower in the center.  Participants enter from the outer edge and try to work their way to the tour.  We needed lots of help!
Italy: Page 2