标签意大利下的文章

大运河和安康圣母圣殿，意大利威尼斯 The Grand Canal and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, Italy (© Jim Richardson/Offset by Shutterstock)

Venice by night

In Venice, Italy, the third Sunday in July is known as 'Festa del Redentore' (The Redeemer's Feast), which commemorates the city's salvation from the plague in the 16th century. As Italy still reels from being hard hit by the new coronavirus, the holiday is particularly poignant this year. It traditionally features a fireworks display, a regatta, and a temporary bridge that connects the Zattere promenade to the Church of the Redeemer on the Island of Giudecca. While this year's celebration will look different due to COVID-19, it will still be an important and festive day for Venetians.

雷西亚湖上的钟楼，意大利博尔扎诺 The bell tower in Lake Reschen in South Tyrol, Italy (© Scacciamosche/Getty Images)

Italy's submerged village

A 14th-century church tower peeking above the water offers a clue to the past here at Lake Reschen, in northern Italy. Until the mid-20th century, this site in the Italian Alps was home to the village of Graun, which included some 163 homes. But then in 1939, an electric company announced plans to build a dam and an artificial lake here, which would submerge Graun and part of the town of Reschen. Despite public outcry and delays due to World War II, the towns were eventually submerged in 1950 (with everyone safely removed, of course). These days, the remaining church steeple draws tourists, especially in winter, when the lake is frozen over and visitors can walk across.

Madonna della Corona教堂，意大利 The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona in Italy (© Volodymyr Kalyniuk/Alamy)

Looking for peace on the precipice

The Sanctuary of Madonna della Corona sits on an outcropping almost 2,500 feet high overlooking the Adige River Valley in Northern Italy, near the city of Verona. Since the Middle Ages, this spot has been a destination for religious pilgrimages. The faithful are drawn no doubt by the views and, perhaps, the dangerous path to get there--enlightenment shouldn't come easy.

Over the centuries, the structure has evolved from a hermitage to a church, first inaugurated in 1530, and eventually to a sanctuary for contemplation and reflection. In the mid-1970s, architect Guido Tisato oversaw a major renovation, including digging out more of the mountain to add additional space. Today, visitors can reach the sanctuary from above via a paved path or from below, on a longer trail, known as the 'Path of Hope,' that ends with a steep staircase zigzagging upward. We think those who manage the climb up may be justified in feeling a little superior.

以佩尔莫山为背景云层之上的Rifugio Lagazuoi，意大利多洛米蒂山脉 Rifugio Lagazuoi above the clouds with Monte Pelmo in the background, Dolomites, Italy (© Nicolo Miana/eStock Photo)

Après-ski in the Dolomites

Today's homepage image features Rifugio Lagazuoi, a ski lodge located at about 9,000 feet above sea level on Italy's Mount Lagazuoi. With an elevation higher than most ski lodges in this area of the Dolomites, it gives visitors opportunities for breathtaking views like this one. The ruggedly beautiful mountain landscapes, pristine natural environments, and distinctive geologic formations all contributed to the Dolomites being recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2009. While the area is accessible all year long, it's worth visiting during the ski season to check out the Great War Ski Tour, an open-air museum and where you can see World War I trenches and tunnels created by Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops as they fought each other in this precipitous and stunning terrain.

瓦尔加迪纳的日落，意大利南蒂罗尔多洛米蒂山脉 Sunset in Val Gardena in the Dolomites of South Tyrol, Italy (© Marco Capellari/Getty Images)

In the valley of the doll

Today we're featuring a picture-postcard view of Val Gardena, a valley nestled in Dolomites in the South Tyrol region of Italy. This time of year, the remote area may be a bit busier than usual as skiers are drawn to its famous slopes. In summer, it's known for other outdoor activities, such as rock climbing and hiking. Since the 17th century, the villagers have been famed for their woodcarving. Artisans create everything from simple, utilitarian items, like wood bowls, to finely detailed figurines. One of the woodcarvers' biggest hits? A wooden peg doll that was popular across Europe and the US during the 19th century.

古罗马广场上的萨图尔诺农神庙，意大利罗马 Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum, Rome, Italy (© Joe Daniel Price/Getty Images)

When in Rome...celebrate Saturnalia

We're looking at the Temple of Saturn, one of the oldest structures of the Forum in Rome. It was here that ancient Romans began their celebrations of Saturnalia, which began on December 17. Both the temple and the festival are dedicated to the agricultural god Saturn, whose reign was associated with a golden age of prosperity and peace. Saturnalia festivities kicked off with a sacrifice at the temple, followed by a public banquet and a week of general merrymaking. Activities included gambling, eating, drinking, and playing music. Businesses and schools closed, and even slaves were free from work and allowed to participate in the merrymaking. Many Saturnalia customs evolved into Christmas traditions, such as gift-giving, decorating homes with wreaths, and drinking spiced wine.

巴克拉纳帆船赛百舸争流，意大利的里雅斯特港 Boats massing for the Barcolana Regatta in the Gulf of Trieste, Italy (© Ababsolutum/E+/Getty Images)

It's aboat time for the Barcolana

Today we're featuring an image of the Barcolana regatta, which is happening this weekend off the shore of Trieste, Italy. What makes this race so unusual—and so popular—is that it's open to both professional and amateur sailors. Its beginning was fairly inauspicious—in 1969 only 51 boats sailed in the inaugural race. But it's been drawing increasing numbers of sailors and spectators to Trieste each year. Last year, for the 50th anniversary of the Barcolana, 2,689 yachts raced the course and set the official record for largest sailing race in the world. With multiple events, including a youth sailing race, an open-water swimming race, a night sailing race, music concerts, food and wine tastings, and many others, both landlubbers and seadogs will find ways to enjoy themselves during the regatta.

科尼西宫的花园，佛罗伦萨 The Gardens of the Palazzo Corsini al Prato in Florence for the New Generation Festival (© Will Perrett/Alamy)

Florentine garden brings generations together

Hidden from view, many tourists never realize that the Corsini Garden, featured in today's image, lies just beyond the walls of the Palazzo Corsini al Prato. You'll find the garden and palace in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and capital of Tuscany. Designed by architect Bernardo Buontalenti in the early 1590s, the Palazzo Corsini al Prato and Corsini Garden will host the 3rd annual New Generation Festival this week. The festival, which features a new generation of musical talent from around the world performing a different musical genre each night, is designed to break down barriers between generations. For four nights, young and old will enjoy opera, jazz, and classical music in an Italian garden that has enchanted visitors for more than a dozen generations.

The artists come to Venice

Our photo today shows a small part of artist Claudia Fontes’ sculpture called ‘The Horse Problem.’ The Argentinian artist exhibited the large installation work—with smashed bits of stone surrounding the larger-than-life white horse, as if it has crashed into the exhibition space. The installation was shown at the Venice Biennale in 2017, where artists from around the globe bring their work to show off at this every-other-year arts and culture festival in the Italian city of Venice. The Biennale is just starting up again this month, and many of the programs and exhibits will be going on through the summer and into fall.

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