Florence Artisan Walking Tour

Artisan Traditions of Florence

Rediscover artisan traditions of the past with Context Tours Florence new walk in its Made in Florence series, Saper Fare: Artisan Traditions of Florence. This walking seminar explores family-run artisan workshops hidden away in the medieval streets around the Duomo where traditional Florentine products are made.

Artisan Traditions of Florence walks, held on Thursday mornings, are limited to six people and led by English-speaking experts in social history, local crafts, and Florentine culture. The walk begins in Piazza della Repubblica, a square central to the history of commerce in Florence, and visits three workshops including a textile maker who has supplied the royalty of Europe, a jewelry boutique that combines traditional techniques dating back to the Etruscans with modern technology, and a studio dedicated to inlaid stone.

Another Context Travel walk focusing on traditional crafts in Florence, Oltrarno Artisans, supports sustainable travel by helping to fund an apprenticeship position for one of the artisans.

http://www.contexttravel.com/florence/tours/saper-fare--artisan-traditions-of-florence/PTR4709/

The Shroud of Turin

The rare exhibition of the famous Shroud of Turin or Holy Shroud in the Cathedral of Turin, is set for 2010. The Holy Shroud has only been displayed 17 times in the past and the last exhibition was in 2000 so it's a rare chance to see the Holy Shroud. Here's information about how and when to see the Holy Shroud of Turin in 2010.

Shroud of Turin Reservations
In 2010 the Shroud of Turin will be on display in the Turin Cathedral from April 10 to May 23. While there's no cost to view the Shroud, you must have a reservation. You can book online or during the exhibition you can go to the reception area in Piazza Castello, near the Cathedral, for same-day bookings if there are any spaces left. Exhibit hours are 7AM to 8PM with visits scheduled every 15 minutes. Try to avoid Saturdays and Sundays, especially May 2 when the Pope visits, and Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to sick pilgrims.

The online booking form allows you to see available dates and times available for the date you choose. To reserve choose your date, time, and number of people. After booking, you will be sent a reservation code by email. Bring a copy of the email confirmation with you to the cathedral on your reserved date. Go to this link to reserve:
http://www.piemonteitalia.eu/prenotazione/frontoffice/ingresso.do;jsessionid=hJZ4LG1SrgVJHBRhBy8l8JDGyGpKXGR8nG4VqLG0HsDH3JgVqTlv!685904820!967209492


Shroud of Turin Exhibition Information
A reception area will be set up in Piazza Castello (near the Cathedral) during the exhibition. You can still enter the Cathedral by the main door and access the central nave during the exhibition but you won't be able to get closer to the Shroud of Turin unless you have a reservation. There will be a special route set up for pilgrims to arrive at the Cathedral. Route Map and Information

Since the last exhibition, some restoration work has been done on the Holy Shroud. The Linen of Holland (that was attached to the Holy Shroud in 1534) has been removed as well as other bits that were sewn onto it. There's also a new support system for the Holy Shroud.

Volunteers will be needed to help with reception areas, assisting sick and disabled pilgrims, and welcoming visitors in other Turin churches. Send an email to accoglienza@sindone.org for volunteer information.

Museum of the Holy Shroud
The Museum of the Holy Shroud is currently open daily from 9AM to noon and from 3PM to 7PM (last entry one hour before closing). On display are artifacts related to the Holy Shroud. There's an audioguide available in 5 languages and a bookshop. The Holy Shroud Museum is in the crypt of church of the SS. Sudario, Via San Domenico 28.

What is the Shroud of Turin?
The Shroud of Turin is an old linen shroud with the image of a crucified man. Many believe it's the image of Jesus Christ and the that this cloth was used to wrap his crucified body. Many studies have been performed on the Holy Shroud, in fact it may be the world's most studied artifact. So far there's no conclusive evidence to either prove or disprove these beliefs.

La Befana and Epiphany in Italy

The Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated January 6 with a national holiday in Italy, and the tradition of La Befana are a big part of Italian Christmas celebrations. Epiphany commemorates the 12th day of Christmas when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for Baby Jesus. The traditional Christmas holiday season in Italy lasts through Epiphany.

LA BEFANA
La Befana Italy's traditional celebration includes the tale of a witch known as La Befana who arrives on her broomstick during the night of January 5 and fills the stockings with toys and sweets for the good children and lumps of coal for the bad ones.
According to the legend, the night before the Wise Men arrived at the manger they stopped at the shack of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along but she replied that she was too busy. Then a shepherd asked her to join him but again she refused. Later that night, she saw a great light in the sky and decided to join the Wise Men and the shepherd bearing gifts that had belonged to her child who had died. She got lost and never found the manger.
Now La Befana flies around on her broomstick each year on the 11th night, bringing gifts to children in hopes that she might find the Baby Jesus. Children hang their stockings on the evening of January 5 awaiting the visit of La Befana.
The origins of La Befana may actually go back farther, to the Roman's pagan festival of Saturnalia, a one or two week festival starting just before the winter solstice. At the end of Saturnalia, Romans would go to the Temple of Juno on the Capitoline Hill to have their augers read by an old crone. Many pagan traditions were incorporated into Christmas celebrations when Christianity became main stream. La Befana was a good substitute for the old woman who read the augers. The saying augur originated with this practice, too, as it was common to wish someone good augers.

LA BEFANA FESTIVALS
The town of Urbania, in Le Marche region, holds a 4-day festival for La Befana from January 2-6. Children can meet La Befana in La Casa della Befana. This is one of the biggest celebrations for La Befana in Italy.
The Befana races are held in Venice on January 6. Men dressed as La Befana race in boats on the Grand Canal.

Christmas in Roma

CHRISTMAS IN ROMA

Rome is a top Italian city to visit during the Christmas holiday season, from early December through Epiphany on January 6, and the place where the celebration of Christmas originated. The first Christ Mass was said at Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and what's believed to be the earliest permanent Christmas crib was carved for the first Rome Jubilee in 1300. Just like the city itself, Rome's Christmas traditions are steeped in hundreds of years of history.

Italian Hannukah

There is a long standing Jewish tradition in Italy dating back to Roman times. The community begins an 8-day commemoration of the miraculous oil that kept the sacred flame of the Temple alight following the victory of the Maccabeans over Antiochus. The Italian Hannukah is celebrated with oil prepared fried foods. One of my favorites is Carciofi alla Guidia or Carciofi alla Romana. Here is a time tested receipe that has made it through the centuries:

http://italianfood.about.com/od/artichokes/r/blr0375.htm?nl=1

A "Room" with a View ( dining room that is) on Capri

ANACAPRI. A new restaurant at the Blue Grotto, ‘Il Riccio’ owned and managed by the famous Capri Palace Hotel & Spa. This sea-side restaurant and beach club is perched on the cliffs just meters away from the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto). The Mediterranian cuisine is second only to the view.

Christmas in Italy

PRESEPE, Nativity scenes are best found on Via San Gregorio Armeno, in the heart of Naples' old town. Lining the narrow pedestrian street are artisan workshops making these nativity scenes (presepe in Italian). Tiny shops sell Christmas crib figures and souvenirs which are an important part of Christmas in Italy.