Happy Morning

circle of life.

photo: Marco Colombo

event of site: A new "Formula 1" - Valbossa way*

*by Valbossa NOVA. All right reserved.

Ancient charm. "The world is in the hands of..."

"The world is in the hands of those who have the courage to dream and run the risk of living their dreams" - Paolo Coelho

photo and abstract by: Chiesa di Santa Maria Annunciata di Brunello

Inside of...the Cardinal's Fair

by Maria Marinella

along the way.

Special Event: Fiera del Cardinale (Cardinal's Fair)

Concept art from Valbossa NOVA: La casa nella via

Christmas @theCastle

photo: Sabrina Profumo di Lavanda - ilprofumodilavanda.com

Special Event: Natale al Castello - castelloviscontidisanvito.it

The Our Lady of Grace "at the Ortica". A very particular church.

In Milan, in the Ortica district, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Grace "at the Nettle" (Madonna delle Grazie all'Ortica), also known as Church of Saints Faustino and Jovita or Sanctuary of San Faustino "all'Ortica", is a real hidden treasure of art and history of Milan that very few even know.

Located in the eastern outskirts of Milan, originally the church, one of the oldest in the east, it appeared largely be out of town.

The origin of the church is to be tied to the destruction of Milan in 1162 by Federico Barbarossa. Following it, the inhabitants of the quarters Porta Nuova and Porta Eastern were exiled in the surrounding villages Lambrate and Cavriano.

It is said that the their hopes of returning to the city became prayer and, in 1182, they asked for the intercession of Our Lady by dedicating her a simple graffiti.

Indeed, the following year, with the Peace of Constance, Federico Barbarossa recognized the municipal autonomy of Milan and the right of the inhabitants to return in town. So, the inhabitants decided to thank the Virgin Mary by painting over the graffiti a fresco called "Our Lady of Grace".

In 1182, the sanctuary was founded, originally dedicated to the Saint Faustino of Cavriano. 

The sanctuary seems to have been consecrated for the first time in 1370. The building that is currently visible is the result of a reshuffle of 1519, with a new rededication by Monsignor Francesco Landino, Bishop of Lodi, on behalf of the Cardinal Ippolito of Este, Archbishop of Milan. 

In the same period, the sacristy was added with a voult covered by a fresco of Leonardo school.

The church has known centuries of decay and, possibly connected to a farmhouse, it was used, during the twentieth century, as a warehouse.

Externally, the building is very simple and almost without decorations, while the interiors are richly decorated with frescoes of the sixteenth century. Very curious frescoes in the nave, where prevail pastel shades of blue, green and, in particular, of pink. They differ from most of the frescoes in the more famous churches in Milan and, if anything, they present some stylistic similarities with some of those present in the Duomo of Monza.

original article, photo and others from: milanofotografo.it

The Universal Judgment...is it still alive?

Circle of hell in a group of souls expiating guilt: sinners actors walking in circles, clinging to each other, naked, lenses; prisoners of their marcantonii inspired from the air, their Juliets young and beautiful, of fatty attendants, of Macbeth by the outstretched hands of prisoners agreements, tics, collective neurosis, no longer able to leave the scene.

Beasts of the scene (Bestie di scena) is a point of arrival for Emma Dante at the Piccolo Theater in Milan, but also in his artistic career: for a theater woman that shapes up to hold the living body of someone who is on the stage, was an inevitable event, we full of expectations, a hell of acting work.

It is a project that tells the inability to act, the action failed and the deep unease to appear naked in front of an audience. The actor is the one who rushes to the scene driven by superhuman strength; crossed the border reborn, it breaks the membrane of the lungs and breathes as if breathing for the first time. But as soon crosses the public's eyes, ashamed, do not resist, would like to get away and have no way out, the output is prohibited, coming from fifth fire signals, it is impossible to hide. The actor is obliged to remain. Trembling, vulnerable, in front of us. She investigates her nakedness, essence, his bestial nature, the stage that pollute and whose fence can not get out. In the bare stage, surrounded by a backdrop and six scenes, a group of souls walking in a circle, clinging to each other in a silent patrol.

More about the Universal Judgment for the Lombard art

On the hills south of Varese, wrapped in green, it stands the church of Santa Maria Annunciata, near the village of Brunello. Easily visible to those passing on the nearby road nearby, the small church has had a magnificent view of Mount Rosa.

Erected between 1200 and 1300, Santa Maria Annunciata, with the nearby convent, was part of the order of the humiliated, a religious congregation dedicated to diverse and thriving textile and financial assets, which made him very rich and unfortunately corrupted.

Inside the church there are some frescoes of the fifteenth century, of which the most important and also the largest, representing Universal Judgment, a subject that seems to be the only currently existing in Lombardy. The author does not know much, but in the documents is suspect as the Brunello master.

A curious note is that the frescoes were discovered only in 1935 by the local parish priest, under a rich layer of lime whitewashing, and perhaps this treatment was used to disinfect the walls, in order to finally defeat the plague that struck the Varesotto in 1576.

photo from: fmboschetto.it

original info: piccoloteatro.org - P. Montonati from labissa.com

new title&concept edition in creative license by Good Morning INSUBRIA

In the ORIGIN Land...Santa Maria della Valle

Water is...

original photo - Valbossa LIVE

source of life.

Go into the PALACE. Varese.

In ancient times the appearance of Varese included the village, with the civil and religious center, and six "Castellanze" connected to it. The village was divided into seven "castellanze": Giubiano, Bosto, Casbeno, Biumo Inferiore and Superiore, Cartabbia and Bizzozero. The "Castellanze"were extra-urban centers, almost all built on hills, as possessed autonomous churches, mills, old farmhouses and inns, however, they were not independent from the village and from the point of civil and religious views and formed with it one body and indivisible: that is, "Varese and its Castellanze".

Once these groups of houses were separated from the center but over the years, they have been incorporated to the urban fabric of city.

Varese became capital of the province in the 1927, the municipal area was enlarged and came also included the "castellanze". The city center underwent a radical metamorphosis: Piazza Porcari and part of the late-medieval center were "gutted" to make way for modern Piazza Monte Grappa, where we find palaces Littorio style as the Palace of the Chamber of Commerce and other private buildings. The square is located a few meters from Porta Campagna and the Palazzo Estense, seat of the Town Hall.

From Palazzo Estense this itinerary for Old Town. It is a short "trip" within the city center, with the visit of main monuments and gardens. The Estense Palace was built between 1766 and 1771 by Giuseppe Bianchi, as an extension the existing Orrigoni Palace and was the residence of Francesco III of Este in the period of his Signoria.

Thanks to Estense Palace and numerous villas all with splendid eighteenth-century Italian gardens, Varese was called the little Versailles of Milan. Among the Varesini parks, the garden of Palazzo Estense is of great beauty: the garden in Italian style, with French-inspired elements, it is characterized by a large "parterre", a great "Bath" and paths bordered by hornbeams rise to the top of the hill, from where you it enjoys a splendid view. 

The garden was built in conjunction with the building under the direction of Giuseppe Bianchi and the Duke of Este, but ended a few years later. For meet the needs of the Duke, a part of the Park was set up in "roccolo" for bird, while another area was dedicated to vegetable gardens. Building, and the park is accessed through the main door of honor.

The most interesting facade the building is the one facing towards the garden: it forms measured, typical of the style "Barocchetto Lombardo", with cornices in white contrasting with pink plaster. 

The pediment is placed a sundial surmounted by the Este eagle.

The exterior facade, however, is simple and straightforward, with neo-classical influences. Worthy of note are the three portals of entry, placed at equal distance one from the other. The Hall of Honor (or Salone Estense), is rich of valuable elements, the frescoes illusionistic are of Borsellini; the big central medallion was painted by Giovan Battista Ronchelli of Cabiaglio. 

Here the Duke Francesco III of Este was usually organize lavish receptions. Today it houses the municipal council.

original info by: varesecittagiardino.it

photo by: varesemia.com

I like visit Milan

The foreign audience who comes to Italy to enjoy the beauty of our country greatly appreciates the art cities, but also our "small" city like Milan, which is among the most popular in several respects.

All the old town, with the Cathedral and the "Madunina", the Castello Sforzesco, La Scala Theatre, the renovated area of canals with the new spaces of the dock and all the Brera area are the most visited destinations of tourists from the people that all year crowds the streets of Milan and appreciate the food and style "alla Milanese", not to mention the audience that crowded the fashion week or the "Fuori Salone" events "non-touristy", but they are also very popular tourist from the people who crowd the city.

The tourists, especially foreigners, appreciate the welcome, who can stay in the luxurious 4-star hotel in the old town, those without certain economic opportunities relies on the many possibilities that the Milan area offers, staying in small guesthouses, using systems like AirBnB or exiting a few kilometers from the city belt to have a space of relaxation thanks to the many farms that are outside the circle of the tangential of Milan.

Above all these are appreciated by foreign audiences because they allow you to have the same comfort of the big hotels in the center being able to take advantage of the relaxation of the campaign, a chance to appreciate calmly the food and the Milanese delicacies and be able to quickly and easily move to and from the center exploiting the means and the best roads offer.

Milan is increasingly appreciated, more from foreign tourists by the Italians themselves, for the wide cultural program that you can use throughout the year, never fail exhibitions scattered in different spaces dedicated to Italian and world art masters , theater and music performances make the rich program of events and entertainment dedicated to the vast audience throughout the year visit the capital of Lombardy.

Japanese, Russians, Arabs, are among those who like to visit Milan, especially the famous fashion and shopping, Via Monte Napoleone as stage sets, they are the spearheads that drive the Milan tourist economy, there are obviously visitors from the rest of Europe and the world, but they belong to that group of tourists who prefer to visit cultural sites than entertainment.

Milan is renowned for his versatile ability to accommodate a multitude of tourists knowing meet the needs and the needs of everyone, thanks to EXPO 2015 has had a considerable qualitative upsurge on all aspects of reception, services, management and tourist proposal, increasing even more the "pleasure" of the tourist giving new impetus to all sectors of the industry over the years to the pursuit of progress and improvement of each cultural and recreational aspect of the city.

originally published by: www.marepietra.it

photo: https://www.tourhq.com/italy/milan-tours-guide
In The ORIGIN Land: Milan...to sing!

The Gold of the Gods. A treasure emerged in an enchanted place.

"There is a gold most precious. The value of Knowledge."

There are places where the rain gives it a special charm. If the Sun dresses them the colors of nature, the timid drops and a day a little smoky create that atmosphere that seems muffled back to ancient times. Villa Toeplitz, in Saint Ambrogio of Varese, is one of these places.

Built between the end of the 800 in the early '900, is in a beautiful location at the foot of the Holy Mount and that seems to dominate the Monte Orsa (that stands between Lake Varese and Lugano), Brunate, the Como area and Induno Olona.

This location so beautiful and special, a bringer climate of well-being and harmony, had been chosen by the wealthy Lords of Milan as the ideal place for holiday residences.

In turn the area I realized that many buildings reported by Art Nouveau. The beauty of the green and of the details it was noticed by those who love history and the 'architecture of the first post-war.

Villa Toeplitz is a beautiful building whose park gives the vision of trees that show, for the amount, at that time.

The villa is now the seat of the 'University of' Insubria and houses the Museo Castiglioni, where a team has brought to light with the diligent work of a part of ancient history.

In addition to the exhibits, the museum, very welcoming, it opens its doors to new worlds and new ideas. Together with the precious archaeological remains offers, in this period, the possibility of entering an ancient and secret world, hosting a reconstructed Egyptian Tomb.

Following the directions given by the entertainers you can build a moment 
of history going back to "breathe".

The atmosphere of Luxor (ancient Thebes), west of the Nile, where, in a village lived an artisan community under the sovereignty of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom which began in 1500 BC. The main task of this population was the extraction of ' gold and the realization of the tombs of the Valley of Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Graves that were works of art and starting with the 'ascension to the throne of the ruler until his death.

The Pashed tomb is rich in decorations and was rebuilt faithfully with techniques that allow, the visitor, to find himself surrounded by the typical Golden light of Egyptian tombs. A leap in time .. that 'precious gold that allowed the deceased to be cloaked in light and value, qualities attributed to the mineral itself.

The paintings bring many deities of the Egyptian pantheon with particular regard to Nut, the Goddess of the Resurrection and of the sky. Osiris, god of death and the underworld, of Horus and Thoth. The ceiling and sections of the walls are a unique writing, hieroglyphics that show part of the Book of the Dead.

Pashed was the one who hated the tombs of the ancient Pharaohs, artist of the time, this work had as a final resting place of his life in Egypt. As they say the paintings also had to undergo the "weighing of the heart" in which the Goddess Maat, goddess of justice will bring judgment the soul of the deceased.

Pashed is represented smiling. His life has been honest, fair and the proof is exceeded; so that he can rejoin his life in the hereafter-mail force. Presiding over the ceremony was Thoth, who also had the task of supervising the man during his walk towards the knowledge.

Through careful observation of the drawings and the work they can pick up a lot of nuances that enrich the soul and mind. 

Thanks a lot to those who gives lovingly his time to rediscover 
"The Gold of Knowledge".

original item and copyright by: http://giardinodifata.altervista.org

A forgotten story. The vineyard of Leonardo.

A forgotten story binds Leonardo da Vinci to the city of Milan, the story of a vineyard: the vineyard that Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, gave to Leonardo in 1498. A vineyard that Leonardo, in the years ahead, defended and maintained at all costs; the vineyard around which legends involving Leonardo, his works and followers sprang up; the vineyard that is reborn today, within the original rows and with the original vine.

Leonardo da Vinci’s vineyard was in the middle of the fields at the bottom of Casa degli Atellani's current garden, in what was then the great vineyard of San Vittore. The Atellani were a family of Sforza courtiers to whom Ludovico, years before, had given two houses. Ludovico had a double dream for this corner of the city: to make the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie the Sforza family mausoleum and to build a residential neighbourhood where he could establish his most loyal followers, including the Atellani family and Leonardo. Casa degli Atellani is one of the few traces left of this Renaissance dream.

Over the course of the twentieth century it was transformed by Piero Portaluppi, a major Milanese architect, while still retaining its magic.

With the help of two important institutions, the University of Agricultural Sciences in Milan and Confagricoltura, the Portaluppi Foundation and the owners of the house decided to replant Leonardo da Vinci’s vineyard and open Casa degli Atellani and garden to the public on the occasion of Expo 2015.

You can also see: Leonardo, the genius masterly from Valbossa NOVA

Written by and info: vignadileonardo.com
Photo and others by: flickr.com

A new Eco Museum for the revival of the Olona Valley by "The Little Ancient World"

The project "Valle Olona (Olona Valley) Eco-Museum" comes from the will of the population and local associations who want, with the support of the institutions, recovering, enhancing and disseminating the history, the traditions and the culture of  Olona Valley local area. 

The "Il Piccolo Mondo Antico (The Little Ancient World)" association echoes this project to unite all reality interested in achieving the goal. The area includes fourteen municipalities in the Seprio and Middle Olona area, along the axis of the river Olona. The headquarters is in Castellanza (VA).

What is an Eco Museum

The term Eco Museum was thought by Hugues de Varine during a meeting with Georges Henri Rivière, director, ex-director and permanent advisor for ICOM (The International Council of Museums) and Serge Antoine, adviser at the Minister of the Environment. It was used for the first time in 1971 in a speech by the French Minister of the Environment, M.Robert Poujade, that used it to describe the work of a new ministry in training.

Before taking this definition, the Eco Museums were designed as instruments to protect the traces of rural societies in a time when urbanization, new advances in technology and the social changes, represented a real risk of complete oblivion of a old cultural heritage.

The Eco Museums operate on the community area and in its historical development, proposing as elements of the museum, not only objects of daily life but also the landscapes, architecture, know-how and the oral testimony of tradition.

The innovative concept has revolutionized the old concept of the museum, making it more alive and interactive. The Eco Museum is also involved in the promotion of teaching and the research, through the direct involvement of the population and local institutions. 

The Olona Valley Eco Museum is also crossed by more than 20 Km pedestrian and bicycle track that run from Castellanza to Castiglione Olona (VA).

Info: ecomuseovalleolona.it

Written originally by: Fabio Sennhauser from labissa.com

Photo: The Sanctuary of "The Madonnetta of Gornate Olona" by Alberto Pala from ecomuseovalleolona.it