Travel: Italian moments (over again!)

....as our UNIDO expert said "It's the Italian charm...".....
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Somehow I managed to convince the husband to join me in our UNIDO study visit to Italy. I have been away for several missions and thought this would be an opportunity for us both to be together and for him to have an insight on the rigorous requirements of my job considering it is just a study tour.

We visited the facilities of Ansaldo Caldaie (a boiler manufacturer) at Gioia del Colle, Centrale Enel Torrevaldaliga Nord power plant and CRA-ING biomass boiler research facility. Overall, it was an interesting and very educational visit in relation to the regional fossil fuel-fired utilities and industrial boiler project.

UNIDO study tour participants at the Ansaldo Caldaie facilities in Bari, Italy

A visit to Italy would not be complete without doing the usual rounds of its sights. So, when work ended, pleasure began.

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At the St Peter's Square...

Just a bit of Rome, this time.  While we have been in Rome before (thrice even), the rich heritage of the city never fails to amaze and impress every time. First thing on the list was a visit to the St. Peter's Basilica, touted to be one of the holiest Catholic sites situated in the 44-hectare sovereign territory of the Vatican. Contrary to popular belief, the basilica is not the mother church of Roman Catholicism but I can vouch that all Catholics have the pilgrimage to this place in their bucket list.

Colosseo and the Arco di Constantino

Now, on to another iconic symbol of Imperial Rome - the Colosseo. This Flavian amphitheatre had seen the goriest battles between men and beasts.Today, however, the only battle you will see is between the quasi-gladiators outside the Colosseum and the unknowing tourists who had to part with Euro20 after having a photo taken with them. Somehow, I wished Russel Crowe will make his appearance in his gladiator suit. :)

We went through the usual touristy things to see and do - Fontana de Trevi,  Fora Romana, Vitorrio Emanuele II monument , gelato, pizza, pasta...not with much zest and details as before, but still with a great deal of  fascination.

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But what made this Italy visit a little more special, at least for me,  is a visit to two of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites outside of Rome.  I looovvvee Heritage Sites. As I've always mentioned, my dream is to see as many of these sites in my lifetime.

Drenched in Tivoli. With the study tour over, our Italian expert decided to bring the group to the nearest interesting place outside Rome - the town of Tivoli. Tivoli is home to two World Heritage Sites - Villa Adriana and Villa d' Este. 

Villa Adrian was created as a retreat by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD and is a massive complex of 30 buildings. The miniature model of the villa will tell you that one day is not enough to explore and commune with the place.

Unfortunately, the weather, was not so cooperative. While in Villa Adriana, a heavy downpour made it impossible to see the whole historical complex. I called it literally soaked in history. Braving the rains, we manage to see a few sites and take some souvenir shots.

With the heavy rains, Villa d'Este is out the question. Sigh! :(

We had another day to spare and were debating where to go - there's just too many interesting sights and too little time. From our wish list, our Italian experts and our 'almost' Italian cousins recommended the city of Siena - another heritage site!

A Taste of Tuscany.  Siena is a medieval city  in the Tuscan region of Italy. Tuscany is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and is famous for its wine. For me, it is a heritage site haven - six of them!!! The historic centre of Florence (check!), the square of the Cathedral of Pisa (check!), Val d' Orcia, historical centre of San Gimignano and the historical Center of Siena (now, check!!).

Perhaps the most famous of Siena's attraction is the Piazza del Campo, the town's main square where the infamous horse race, Palio, is held annually. The piazza  features the Palazzo Publicco (town hall) with the towering Torre del Mangia, from the top of which supposedly, a picturesque panorama of the Sienese countryside maybe viewed. I said supposedly because I refused to climb the 400-step to the top! My mantra these days - NO.MORE.CLIMBING!!!

Piazza del Campo, or 'il Campo, where Palio , the most infamous horse race in the world, is held

Another distinct attraction is the Cattedrale dell' Assunta (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption) which rises majestic on the Duomo Square.

According to Wikipedia, the cathedral itself was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 and has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade. Black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena, etiologically, inked to black and white horses of the legendary city's founders, Senius and Aschius.

There's so much to see inside and outside the Cathedral. The facade is one of the most impressive features in Sienna. It showcases impressive artistry in tiniest details. The first sight would leave you breathless. Like, wow!!!

I have seen several magnificent cathedrals, churches, abbeys and basilicas but what I've seen inside impressed me to the core. The altar, the nave, the pulpit , the dome - my limited vocabulary is not sufficient to do justice to my description of these. The visual impact is just too stunning!

The inlaid marble mosaic floor, depicting scenes from the Old Testament, allegories and virtues,  is one of the most ornate of its kind in Italy.

Adjoining the cathedral is the Piccolomini library, housing precious illuminated choir books and frescoes painted by the Umbrian Bernardino di Betto, called Pinturicchio. 

Amazing collection of wonders inside the Cathedral

What we failed to see (which I will forever regret) is the Basilica of San Domenico. Having been educated in a Dominican University, the University of Santo Tomas, this is a cardinal sin. It should have been on top of my list on this visit to Sienna. And yes, its "home"  to Saint Catherine of Siena - from whom my youngest sister was, obviously,  named after. It could have been the perfect place to beseech guidance and blessings for her.  Tssskkk!  I, however, take this as a reason to go back - soon! :)

Sights and delights of Siena

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Overall, this trip has been a respite to the body and  nourishment to both the mind and spirit. Although it was marred by another unpleasant experience, I believe that Italy has so much more to offer, so much more secrets waiting to be uncovered.... so as they say in the local parlance - Arrivederci, Italia!!!