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Tag: History

  • Pictures from Padova

    Pictures from Padova

    We took a day trip to the city of Padova and discovered some interesting and beautiful historical architecture and artwork.

    No visit to Padova would be complete without a visit to the majestic Basilica Sant’Antonio.

    The frescoes inside of the basilica are incredibly ornate and visually stunning.

    As are the incredible sculptures and statuary. The way the sculptor made the marble look like flowing banners of cloth is simply amazing. As is my wont, I managed to find some nice examples of “Momento Mori” to photograph. Notice the “Tempus Fugit” symbol at the top.

    Let’s take a closer look at this stunning sculpture.

    Is he heralding the Day of Judgement and the Call to Resurrection, or just playing a jazzy tune?

    This knightly fellow lies in sepulchral repose.

    After the Basilica, we went to see the frescoes in the Cappella Scrovegni. The master Italian painter, Giotto, finished this masterpiece of medieval art in 1305.

    The style, details, and colors of these frescoes are beyond anything else I have seen from this period. The city of Padova has done a great job of preserving this artwork from the ravages of time. Looks pretty damn good for being just over 700 years old!

    And when I mentioned “damn”, I meant really damned. Giotto completed his masterpiece by painting this weird and wonderful view of the torments of hell. It’s almost like some kind of underworld theme park where the damned line up for their turn on the next devilish amusement ride of hanging, flaying and scourging. Really puts the “carne” in carnival!

  • The Abbey of Pomposa

    The Abbey of Pomposa

    Before our impending move, we decided to visit some local sites that we haven’t visited before. One of them was the lovely Abbey of Pomposa. This beautiful and ancient site (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomposa_Abbey) is a real treasure of the Emilia-Romagna region that isn’t well known to foreign tourists.

    The verdant grounds are bisected by a small river and towered over by the imposing campanile.

    The abbey grounds are lovely and serene and one can easily imagine the Benedictine monk’s calm and contemplative life here in medieval times.

    The interior of the abbey’s church is a truly stunning example of Romanesque art and architecture.

    The serenity of the monastic setting and the beauty of the artwork is charmingly juxtaposed by the lurid frescoed scenes of the Inferno reminding the viewers of their fate should they not walk the path of righteousness.

    You can tell that the artists who created the frescoes were probably having some fun with their artistic assignment.

    Of course, what ancient church would be complete without a reliquary containing the bone of a saint.

    There are many curious and interesting corners to investigate and explore.