Gatti Italiani: Italian Cats!

Cat at the Teatro Greco in Taormina

Being feline fanciers, Charlie and I always notice stray cats on our Italian excursions. From the top of the Italian boot to the bottom and all around Sicily too, we've never met a cat we didn't like. They all speak Italian, really, and have the same relaxed demeanor as their human counterparts.

Roman Forum Cat

Rome is known for its cat sanctuary, Torre Argentina, at the Forum. Sheltered among the old temple ruins live more than 250 cats. Volunteers donate time seven days a week for their care. Visitors and donations are welcome. Be sure to notice the cats at the Forum on your next trip to Rome.

If you're a feline fancier too, you'll enjoy this gallery of some of the "gatti" we've met on our trips to Italy.

Tuscan Cat

Sicilian Cats

 

Venetian Cat

Umbrian Cat

Umbrian Cat

                                                                                             Piedmont Cat

Venetian Cats

Tuscan Kittens

                                                                     Sicilian Cat

Tuscan Cat

Sicilian Cat

                                                            Puglian Cat

I can assure you, there were many times we were tempted to take one or two "gatti" home with us, but we resisted. 

Regulations for bringing animals back into the U.S. make that thought prohibitive. Still, we enjoyed their company for a little while, and I had the chance to practice my Italian with some native speakers. "Miao!" ("Meow" as spoken by Italian cats.)

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

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David: What a guy!

What a gorgeous, hunk-a-man!

Yes. What a gorgeous, hunk-a-man! Ordinarily, I'd be referring to my hubby, but today it's Michelangelo's "David" I speak of. At 14 feet tall and over 12,000 pounds, he's as magnificent today as the day he was born in 1504. 

Originally, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarotti Simoni (aka Michelangelo) was commissioned to create the statue for the Duomo, the Cathedral of Florence. The original plan was for it to be one of a series of statues for display in niches 262 feet above ground. Michelangelo was asked to use an enormous piece of marble rejected for its imperfections by two other sculptors over 25 years before. No problem. The 29 year old Michelangelo agreed to take on the challenge and chiseled away at it for four years.

What emerged from that imperfect piece of stone was... David.

"David" is the young David of the David and Goliath Bible story. All other sculptors before Michelangelo had always sculpted him in a position of victory after the battle with Goliath. Michelangelo's version instead shows David before battle, leaning against a tree stump and holding his slingshot over his shoulder. His eyes are fixed in concentration over the ensuing battle. David's expression, bulging veins, muscular abs, and tight thigh muscles show him lifelike (despite his size) in all his grandeur.

Replica of David in the Piazza della Signoria

The end result of Michelangelo's "David" was perfection...perhaps too much prefection. Upon its completion, the Vestry Board that had originally commissioned the work decided David was too perfect, and perhaps too heavy, to be displayed so high above the city. So the decision was to instead display David in the courtyard of the Piazza della Signoria, the political heart of Florence. There, he became a symbol of the defense of liberties embodied by the Republic of Florence. Soon after, the tree stump David leaned against his slingshot were gilded. The gold enhancement was beautiful, but unfortunately was eventually worn away by weather and time.

In order to protect David against further weather damage, he was moved to the Accademia in Florence (1873) and replaced by a replica in the Piazza della Signoria. There, in the Accademia, David can be enjoyed by visitors from as nearby as only a few feet away. Seeing David up close is a breathtaking experience. You'll find yourself circling him more than  once, marveling at how Michelangelo helped this awesome and perfect David emerge from a huge, imperfect piece of marble.

Take notice of his disproportionate hands and head. It's believed these over-sized exaggerations of proportion were intentional by Michelangelo since David was originally meant for display at a height where the important parts needed emphasis.

Are you planning a visit to Florence, Italy some time soon? Be sure to add the Accademia onto your list of things to do. When you visit David,  I know you, too, will agree that he is one gorgeous hunk-a-man! 

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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Caltagirone: A Town of Beautiful Ceramics

Sure, I love gold and diamonds – most girls do, but honestly the sight of Italian ceramics also sets my heart a-flutter. Everywhere in Italy, you will find opportunities to buy gorgeous handmade ceramics. There are even entire towns whose main business is - Ceramics! One of the BEST is Caltagirone in Sicily.

(Photo Credit: Swide)

The baroque town of Caltagirone is located 43 miles southwest of the city of Catania and its notoriety for pottery production predates history. Its name, in fact, reflects this as it is derived from the Arabic "qal'at-al-jarar" or "Castle of (pottery) jars." If, like me, you love Italian ceramics, this is a town not to miss on your trip to Sicily.

Step into historic Caltagirone and ceramics are visible all around you – in the architecture, on the balustrades, decorating buildings and vases. The most famous landmark of all is the 142-step "Scalinata del Santa Maria del Monte" - Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte built in the early 17^th century. The staircase climbs from Piazza Municipio to the Chiesa di Santa Maria del Monte at the top of the town.

(Photo Credit: Swide)

Each step of the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte is decorated with different hand-decorated ceramic tiles created in different styles by different artists and added in 1956. We’re talking thousands of beautiful handmade tiles! They alternate between a row of tiles with floral or organic patterns, a row of geometric patterns and a row of figurative decorative patterns. Start at the bottom and take your time on the climb up for two reasons. One, checking out each step’s artwork is fun and, 2) the climb up is exhausting, so no need to hurry!

Fear not, there are opportunities to rest along the way because as you walk up the many steps, you will pass some of the town’s 150+ ceramic shops at each side of the stairway. Some ceramic artists even take custom orders. Stop in – browse – and buy. You’ll find colorful and unique plates, vases, pots and more. But remember, your purchases must by carried the rest of the way up the stairs.

While in Caltagirone, you may choose to visit the local ceramics museum or watch ceramic work in production. Locals and artists are eager to share information about their art.

If you're fortunate enough to be in Caltagirone from the 8th of May to June 2^nd, you'll enjoy "La Scala Infiorata," - the Flower Festival. The festival is a tribute to Our Lady of Conadomini. Locals decorate the Staircase of Santa Maria del Monte with thousands of potted plants arranged in beautiful designs that stretch from top to bottom of the staircase.

If you happen to be in Caltagirone on July 24/25 or August 14/15, you’re in for a special treat - "La Scala Illuminata," - the Luminaria Festival. This is the annual "Festa di San Giacomo" – Feast of St. James. Thousands of candles create a breathtaking design of lights from top to bottom on the stairs.

 "The Taking of the Bell of Altavilla" ceramic mural in the square of Santa Maria del Monte

On your visit, plan to spend the good part of a day in Caltagirone. Ceramics? I can almost guarantee you won’t leave Caltagirone empty handed. Warning! Learn from our experience. If you get carried away with ceramic purchases, shipping cost will truly make this adventure one you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Click HERE for more cool pix of the stairs.

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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Chianti Classico: A Black Rooster

Is this a logo you recognize? If so, you are a wine lover, especially a Chianti Classico wine lover. 

This black rooster emblem is a proud designation representing the strict government regulations that oversee every step of Chianti Classico wine production. It guarantees the wine is, indeed, a Chianti Classico that has adhered to all the stringent rules of production of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium…and they are many. Here are a few: 

According to the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, Chianti Classico must be comprised of at minimum:

-       80% native Sangiovese grapes

-       20% other native red grapes.

The grapes must also come from the designated Chianti Classico zone. The first classico area was marked out in 1716 by Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici. The area was greatly enlarged in 1932 and legally recognized in 1966.

Chianti Classico zone

The consortium regulates start to finish production with standards that must be followed with specifications set for color, odor, flavor, sugar, alcohol and aging. Grape cultivation and volume of production are regulated. In addition, the wine must pass a test and tasting to comply and wear the black rooster seal.

When buying Chianti Classico wine, you’ll find this logo on a numbered paper seal at the neck of the bottle. A bottle with the black rooster (gallo nero) seal assures you are selecting the best the region has to offer.

 But why a black rooster?

          According to legend...in the 13th century, Florence and Siena came up with a creative way to resolve a border dispute. It was decided that each city would send out its best horseman at the same time and they would travel toward each other. Where they met would determine where the border would be drawn. The crow of a rooster in each city  would mark the start of the competition. The horseman from Siena chose a white rooster and fed him well the night before figuring a well-fed rooster would have a stronger crow to start off the race. The Florentine horseman, instead, chose a black rooster and didn’t feed it on the theory that a hungry rooster would crow earlier. The Florentine horseman was right! The black rooster was up well before dawn crowing loudly in demand of food.  This sent the Florentine horseman on his way much earlier, allowing him to claim practically all of Chianti for Florence. 

          It is believed that this legend established the black rooster as symbol of Chianti up to this day. In 1384, the black rooster was branded as the emblem for the League of Chianti. This became the proud brand for the high quality Chianti Classico.

Visiting Tuscany?

          You may want to pay special attention to visiting towns within the Chianti Classico zone for some superb wine tasting. Just be sure, however, to make reservations ahead of time.

Wine tasting in the Chianti Classico zone

Note > When purchasing Chianti wine, you are choosing from these three types:

Chianti Classico – (black rooster logo) Follows the highest of standards of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, but must also be aged a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels, with a minimum alcohol content of 12%

Chianti Classico Riserva – (black rooster logo) Follows the highest of standards of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, but must also be aged a minimum of 2 years in oak barrels and at least 3 months in bottles, with a minimum alcohol content of 12.5%

Chianti – (no black rooster logo) Standard Chianti wine not needing to adhere to Chianti Classico Wine Consortium regulations, with a minimum alcohol content of 11.5%

When traveling around the Chianti Classico zone, it's common to see art and sculpture of the black rooster, a proud symbol of the region. It's also a sign that you are in the right place for some darned good Italian wine!

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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