Every once in a while, a sign catches my eye for one reason or another and I take a photo. Often, something about it made me smile, so I thought I’d share a few Italian signs in a blogpost. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy them, as well.
Gianni Versace, Fashion Designer from Reggio Calabria
Bold colors and patterns, opulent fabrics, elegant craftsmanship, glamor and gold, Versace is iconic, a distinctly Italian luxury brand. Creator Gianni Versace chose the head of Medusa as his emblem, hearkening back to antiquity and his roots in Reggio Calabria, a city steeped in legend and history, one of the first Greek colonies of Southern Italy.
“Detti Calabresi,” Calabrian Sayings from Borgo Croce
How often do we hear about Italy’s abandoned villages? Inhabitants moved away for work, to larger cities, to the north or abroad. In a frazione of Fiumara, a group of townsfolk decided that they didn’t want to move away from their “neighborhood” in the foothills of the Aspromonte Mountains overlooking the Strait of Messina in the Province of Reggio Calabria. …
Renaissance Nativity in Matera
Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. (I think that’s from a song…) Commercial enterprises have certainly made the most of it, perhaps one could say, even exploited that “feeling.” But that’s because there really is a specialness to the season, and when I laid eyes on the beautiful Renaissance nativity in Matera, I knew that it had …
Contemporary Sculptures of Edoardo Tresoldi in Calabria
Calabria is synonymous with spectacular landscapes and outstanding cuisine. Visitors flock to the region in the toe of the Italian boot for its beautiful beaches and even to visit the Riace Bronzes, expecting to soak up a bit of ancient culture along with a few rays and a lot of great food. But contemporary art? Yes, you can catch that, …
Gerace, Medieval Village in Calabria
Beautiful inside and out, Gerace charms with its maze of medieval streets clustered on a promontory at the edge of the Aspromonte Mountains in Southern Calabria. The town can’t be missed for miles around and views over the surrounding territory out to the Ionian Sea are stunning. No wonder Gerace is one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages (Borghi più belli …
Umberto Boccioni, My 20 Cents
Italian artist Umberto Boccioni was a mover and shaker – an influencer of his time, a painter and sculptor, a writer and proponent of Futurism. His work not only graces the halls of the world’s most illustrious museums but holds a place in the lives of Italian citizens and their international guests.
Imma Tataranni, Crime Drama in Matera, Southern Italy
A combination of mystery, comedy and travel, the Italian television series Imma Tataranni takes viewers on an armchair trip to Matera, the evocative Città dei Sassi (Stone City) in the Basilicata region, located in the instep of the Italian boot. The beautifully filmed drama follows the career and family life of its protagonist and intrepid investigator Imma Tataranni.
Salvador Dalí in Matera, Old and New in South Italy
Visitors to Matera in recent years can’t help but have noticed the oversized Dalí sculptures strategically placed throughout the historic center. The contrast between the artist’s provocative surrealism and the old-world setting, extraordinary in itself, cries out for attention in a very contemporary way. Look at me! Take a selfie! Who would have expected to see Salvador Dalí in Matera?
Bronzi di Riace: 50th Anniversary of the Discovery of the Riace Bronzes
Walking on a sandy beach, most of us don’t have much more hope than of spotting a decent seashell. There are those who hunt for treasures, armed with metal detectors on land, simple goggles in shallow water and elaborate equipment further out to sea. Very few ever find anything of value, but those who do, keep the dream alive, such …