Postcards Around the World: Italy

Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts

2013-07-11

Cagliari, Sardegna - Italy

Sent by "zepombal"

"An ancient city with a long history, Cagliari has seen the rule of several civilizations. It was the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia (which in 1861 became the Kingdom of Italy) from 1324 to 1848, when Turin became the formal capital of the kingdom. Seat of the University of Cagliari from 1607 and the Primate Roman Catholic archdiocese of Sardinia, from the 5th century AD, the city is a regional cultural, educational, political and artistic centre, known for its diverse Art Nouveau architecture and several monuments. It is also Sardinia's economic and industrial hub, having one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean sea, an international airport, and the 28th highest income rate in Italy, comparable to several Northern cities, such as Turin, Vicenza and Genoa. Under the buildings of the modern city there is a continuous stratification of human settlements of about five thousands years, from the Neolithic to today. There are some domus de janas, very damaged by cave activity, a large Carthaginian era necropolis, a Roman era amphitheater, a Byzantine basilica, two Pisan-era towers, a strong system of fortification that made the town the core of the Spanish Habsburg imperial power in the western Mediterranean sea. Its natural resources have always been its sheltered harbor, the oft-powerfully fortified hill of Monti Castru, the modern Casteddu, the salt from its lagoons, and, from inland, the Campidanian plain wheat and the Iglesiente mines." In: Wikipedia

2013-07-04

Nest with Partridges, mosaic detail of the Basilica-Cripta, Aquileia - Italy (UNESCO WHS)

UNESCO #825,© Foto Ghedina

Unused, sent by "gracinha"

"Aquileia (in Friuli-Venezia Giulia), one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Early Roman Empire, was destroyed by Attila in the mid-5th century. Most of it still lies unexcavated beneath the fields, and as such it constitutes the greatest archaeological reserve of its kind. The patriarchal basilica, an outstanding building with an exceptional mosaic pavement, played a key role in the evangelization of a large region of central Europe." In: UNESCO

2013-03-05

Basilica Patriarcale, Aquileia - Italy (UNESCO)

Unused, sent by Sapic12

"Aquileia (in Friuli-Venezia Giulia), one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Early Roman Empire, was destroyed by Attila in the mid-5th century. Most of it still lies unexcavated beneath the fields, and as such it constitutes the greatest archaeological reserve of its kind. The patriarchal basilica, an outstanding building with an exceptional mosaic pavement, played a key role in the evangelization of a large region of central Europe." In: UNESCO

2013-02-15

Colleoni Chapel and Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Bergamo - Italy

Unused, offered by Mónica Castro

"The Cappella Colleoni (Colleoni Chapel) is a church/mausoleum in Bergamo, northern Italy.

Dedicated to the saints Bartholomew, Mark and John the Baptist, it was built in 1472–1476 as the personal shrine for the famous condottiere Bartolomeo Colleoni, a member of one of the most outstanding families of the city, and his beloved daughter Medea. The site chosen was that of the sacristy of the nearby church of Santa Maria Maggiore, which was demolished by Colleoni's soldiers.

The design was entrusted to Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, whose plan respected the style of the church, as can been seen from the octagonal tambour of the dome and in the lantern cusp, as well as in the use of polychrome marbles." In: Wikipedia

"The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is a church in Bergamo, Northern Italy.

The church was founded in 1137 on the site of another church from the 8th century dedicated to St Mary, which had been in turn erected over a Roman temple of the Clemence. The high altar was consecrated in 1185 and in 1187 the presbytery and the transept wings were completed. Due to financial troubles, the works dragged for the whole 13th–14th centuries. The bell tower was built from 1436 (being completed around the end of the century), while in 1481–1491 a new sacristy added after the old one had been destroyed by Bartolomeo Colleoni to erect his personal mausoleum, the Colleoni Chapel.

In 1521, Pietro Isabello finished the south-western portal, also known as Porta della Fontana. The edifice was restored and modified in the 17th century." In: Wikipedia

2013-02-11

Lago Maggiore, Arona - Italy

Sent by "gianni-it"

"Lake Maggiore (Italian: Lago Maggiore) is a large lake located on the south side of the Alps. It is the second largest lake in Italy and largest lake of the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. Lake Maggiore is the most westerly of the three great prealpine lakes of Italy, it extends for about 70 km between Locarno and Arona.

The climate is mild in both summer and winter, producing Mediterranean vegetation, with beautiful gardens growing rare and exotic plants. Well-known gardens include those of the Isola Madre, Isola Bella and the Isole di Brissago, that of the Villa Taranto in Verbania, and the Alpinia botanical garden above Stresa." In: Wikipedia

2013-01-03

Madama Palace in Torino - Italy

Unused, offered by "geminiscp"

"When Emmanuel-Philibert, Duke of Savoy, moved his capital to Turin in 1562, he began a vast series of building projects (continued by his successors) to demonstrate the power of the ruling house. This outstanding complex of buildings, designed and embellished by the leading architects and artists of the time, radiates out into the surrounding countryside from the Royal Palace in the 'Command Area' of Turin to include many country residences and hunting lodges." In: UNESCO

2012-11-15

Map card of Sardinia - Italy

Sent by "carolisha"

"Sardinia (Italian: Sardegna, Sardinian: Sardigna) is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and before Cyprus) and an autonomous region of Italy. The nearest land masses are (clockwise from north) the island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Balearic Islands." In: Wikipedia

2012-11-10

Historic center of Siena - Italy (UNESCO)

Sent by "chihuahua"

"Siena is the embodiment of a medieval city. Its inhabitants pursued their rivalry with Florence right into the area of urban planning. Throughout the centuries, they preserved their city's Gothic appearance, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries. During this period the work of Duccio, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini was to influence the course of Italian and, more broadly, European art. The whole city of Siena, built around the Piazza del Campo, was devised as a work of art that blends into the surrounding landscape." In: UNESCO

2012-10-29

St. Mark Church in Venice - Italy (UNESCO)

unused

It seems an old postcard of St. Mark Church in Venice.

2012-10-23

Ancient theater of Taormina - Italy

used, sent from Messina (Italy) to Lisboa (Portugal), with postmark of 08/08/1992

"The most remarkable monument remaining at Taormina is the ancient theatre (the teatro greco, or "Greek theatre"), which is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, on account both of its remarkable preservation and of the surpassing beauty of its situation. It is built for the most part of brick, and is therefore probably of Roman date, though the plan and arrangement are in accordance with those of Greek, rather than Roman, theatres; whence it is supposed that the present structure was rebuilt upon the foundations of an older theatre of the Greek period." In: Wikipedia

2012-10-13

Florence Historic Center - Italy (UNESCO)

Used, sent from Firenze (Italy) to Lisboa (Portugal), with postmark of 29/03/1980, bought in Braga (Portugal)

Firenze is one of my favorite Italian cities! I've been there twice and I'm sure I'll be there again!

"Built on the site of an Etruscan settlement, Florence, the symbol of the Renaissance, rose to economic and cultural pre-eminence under the Medici in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its 600 years of extraordinary artistic activity can be seen above all in the 13th-century cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore), the Church of Santa Croce, the Uffizi and the Pitti Palace, the work of great masters such as Giotto, Brunelleschi, Botticelli and Michelangelo." In: UNESCO

2012-09-25

Piazza S. Marco in Venice - Italy (UNESCO)

Sent by "joaninha"

"Piazza San Marco (often known in English as St Mark's Square), is the principal public square of Venice, Italy, where it is generally known just as "the Piazza". All other urban spaces in the city (except the Piazzetta and the Piazzale Roma) are called "campi" (fields). The Piazzetta (the 'little Piazza') is an extension of the Piazza towards the lagoon in its south east corner. The two spaces together form the social, religious and political centre of Venice and are commonly considered together.

A remark usually attributed to Napoleon calls the Piazza San Marco "the drawing room of Europe". (The attribution to Napoleon is unproven).It is one of the few great urban spaces in Europe where human voices prevail over the sounds of motorized traffic." In: Wikipedia

2012-09-20

Ravenna - Italy (UNESCO)

Sent by "chihuahua", it shows some views of several of the early Christian monuments in Ravenna

Sent by Alexie, a sepia photo of Basilica of San Vitale

"Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the 5th century and then of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. It has a unique collection of early Christian mosaics and monuments. All eight buildings – the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe – were constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries. They show great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of Graeco-Roman tradition, Christian iconography and oriental and Western styles." In: UNESCO

2012-08-02

Weldon's Latest Novelties for November 1899 - Italy

This card was printed by "Elefantus". I believe that the image is a reproduction of and old issue of Weldon's Ladies Journal.

2012-07-29

A friend is never abandoned - Italy

Now that summer is here, we always see some animals abandoned at the streets... It's too sad to see that... In Italy, the Department of Communication of the Province of Perugia made, a few years ago, a campaign with the slogan "A friend is never abandoned" ( in Italian "Un amico non si abbandona mai"). I think I have all the cards from this issue:

2012-07-04

S. Stephen Monastery in Bologna - Italy

unused, bought in Braga (Portugal)

This old postcard shows a detail of the sepulchre in the Basilica of S. Stephen Monastery.

"Santo Stefano's Basilica (Italian: Basilica di Santo Stefano) is a complex of religious edifices in the city of Bologna, Italy. Located in the eponymous square, it is locally known as Sette Chiese ("Seven Churches").

According to tradition, it was built by Saint Petronius, who was bishop of the city during the 5th century, over a temple of the goddess Isis. The church of St. John the Baptist (or of the Holy Crucifix) dates from the 8th century, while that of the Holy Sepulchre from the 5th (renovated in the 12th century), as well as that of San Vitale ed Agricola (renovated in the 8th and 11th centuries). A 13th century portico known as "Pilatus' court" connects the other buildings to the church of the Holy Trinity (13th century). " In: Wikipedia

2012-05-06

Basilica of St Mary of Health - Venice

unused, bought in Lisbon (Portugal)

Venice is a very special city! This card shows some fireworks and colored buildings in Venice.

"The Basilica of St Mary of Health (Italian: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute), commonly known simply as the Salute, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica located in the Dorsoduro sestiere of the Italian city of Venice. It stands on a narrow finger of land between the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco making the church visible when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water. The Salute is part of the parish of the Gesuati and is the most recent of the so-called Plague-churches.

In 1630 Venice experienced an unusually devastating outbreak of the plague. As a votive offering for the city's deliverance from the pestilence, the Republic of Venice vowed to build and dedicate a church to Our Lady of Health (or of Deliverance, Italian: Salute). The church was designed in the then fashionable baroque style by Baldassare Longhena, who studied under the architect Vincenzo Scamozzi. Construction began in 1631. Most of the objects of art housed in the church bear references to the Black Death.

The dome of the Salute was an important addition to the Venice skyline and soon became emblematic of the city, inspiring artists like Canaletto, J. M. W. Turner, John Singer Sargent and Francesco Guardi." In: Wikipedia

2012-04-28

IT-177360 - Napoli by night

IT-177360 sent by "Betty1996"

"Betty" sent these views of the Gulf of Naples and from the historic center.

"Naples' historic city centre is the largest in Europe, covering 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres), and is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Over the course of its long history, Naples has been the capital of duchies, kingdoms, and one Empire, and has consistently been a major cultural centre with a global sphere of influence, particularly during the Renaissance and Enlightenment eras. In the immediate vicinity of Naples are numerous sites of great cultural and historical significance, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii, and Herculaneum." In: Wikipedia

2012-04-18

Basilica of St Mary of Health in Venice - Italy

uused, sent from Venice (Italy) to Amadora (Portugal), postmark from 10-06-1970 but the stamp was removed...

I've been there during my ERASMUS period in Italy, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is a beautiful church with great paintings.

"The Basilica of St Mary of Health (Italian: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute), commonly known simply as the Salute, is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica located in the Dorsoduro sestiere of the Italian city of Venice. It stands on a narrow finger of land between the Grand Canal and the Bacino di San Marco making the church visible when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water. The Salute is part of the parish of the Gesuati and is the most recent of the so-called Plague-churches.

2012-04-09

Collina Torinese Park - Italy

"Collina Torinese Park includes two protected areas, Bosco del Vaj Special Nature Reserve and Collina di Superga Park. It is one of the precious tesserae of the green areas mosaic surrounding Turin. Collina Torinese Park was established in 1991 to meet the needs to safeguard and enhance a well-preserved territory of great naturalistic, architectural, and landscape interest. The Park covers an area of about 750 ha mainly covered with woodlands in Bandissero, Pino, Turin, and S.Mauro. Such areas are now preserved by Ente di Gestione delle Aree Protette della Collina Torinese, whose offices are in Castagneto Po." In: Parks