Panforte of Siena: Tuscan sweet

In these days of celebration panforte Siena makes its appearance, along with panettone, pandoro and ricciarelli, on the shelves of supermarkets and bakeries, and not only in Tuscany. The goodness of this traditional Christmas cake of Sienna is now famous throughout Italy, but how and when it is born panforte?

Old recipe books tell of secular origin that becomes miraculous in legend. On Christmas Eve it is said that a child brought as a gift to Jesus a little bread with almonds that, following the blessing of St. Joseph, was transformed into a delicious panforte.
A medieval tradition says that the gingerbread, the ancestor of panforte Siena, has been prepared for the first time by Sister Leta to remedy a problem happened in the kitchen. As it happens, a cabinet broke broke spreading inside the raw materials she used to create this new tuscan sweet... it is better to say 'not all evil comes to harm'.
Among the ingredients spices were more abundant more than nowadays, including pepper from which the name of gingerbread, held together by caramelized sugar and honey. As such goods at the time particularly valuable and expensive this cake was consumed by the wealthy classes.

Coming to the present day, the classic version of panforte is white, also called Margaret on the occasion of the visit to Siena of Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1879. The secret of success lies in panforte white wealth and goodness of its compound (an explosive mix of calories!) From 1675 that has a well-seventeen ingredients, as many as are the lands of the Palio di Siena: honey, sugar, wheat flour, walnuts, nuts, almonds, candied citron, candied orange, popone candy, candied lemon peel, cinnamon, coriander, pepper aromatic, pine nuts, cloves, water and knead for fire to cook. A sweet energy so as to have alleged aphrodisiac qualities and to be in the past been used as food 'emergency' to feed the army during the siege of Siena in Siena in 1555, unfortunately without enough to withstand the attack of the Florentine who conquered the city.

In addition to panforte Margherita (or white), you can enjoy the panforte black, chocolate, not to be confused with Cecco cake, Christmas cake senese less common but no less delicious. If you're undecided between the brands that produce the panforte what I recommend is Flavors, in my opinion, the best ever.

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New Year's Eve in the square in Pisa

The New Year's Eve in the square in Pisa doubles and even quadruple to celebrate the arrival of 2009, four shows will indeed take place in the evening of December 31 in four of the Tuscan city squares: Square Garibaldi, Square San Paolo all'Orto, Square Gambacorti Chiara and Logge the benches.
The event called Last of the year Carnival will interlace culinary journeys to entertainment shows and music of every genre, from Blues to Rock, from Jazz to Reggae, Ska from the Latin American dances, to culminate in the traditional toast Midnight. of the New Year festival in Pisa, or rather the holidays, attended by some local center as the Bazeel, the Leningradcafé, the Borderline and Metamusic Agency. Here is the program of the evening in the four squares in Pisa.

Square Garibaldi. The New Year celebration begins at 8 p.m. with an aperitif - dinner-based on products from Tuscany, organized by Bazeel, continues to 9 p.m. with Latin American dances performed by the A-Team, a group of animation of Pisa.
At 11 p.m. Blues Band Nick Beccattini start play, the concert will not only blues but also rock, funk and soul, and it breaks to celebrate midnight according to the tradition with classical taste of zampone, lentils and sparkling. We danced into the night to pace dela Latin American music.

Square San Paolo all'Orto. The evening of 31 December starts at 9 p.m. with a dinner based on Tuscan soup and enters into full swing at 11.30 p.m. with a concert by Ray Daytona, surf punk band established itself in Italy.
The New Year celebration continues in the streets to music with a DJ Set After Show with Dome La Muerte Lady Maina and ending at night.

Square Chiara Gambacorti. The program of the festival for the New Year in Square Gambacorti provides a concert reggae, performing Vibes Working Group, winner of the 2008 Ciampi for the best cover. The show will start at 11 p.m. and for two hours this square resound of reggae music, ragga muffin and dance hall style.

Logge dei banchi. The program of the celebration of New Year has not only musical performances. At 7.30 p.m. a musical cocktail will animate the evening until 10.30 p.m., when the concert will begin, the Chiasso Mozzo Noir Folk Punk Band performing. These singers come from Pisa and their music has roots in rock and popular authors.
The comedy of Antonio Calandrino, eclectic actor movie theater and presenter of the evening, will accompany at the stroke of midnight, he will recite passages of his last show "The I God will." in conclusion of the evening the music ska & rocksteady de 'La Ghenga'.

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In Siena watching the stars of the New Year

Only 4 days, 8 hours, 9 minutes at the stroke of midnight of the new year, in newspapers, on television and radio astrologers communicate forecasts of 2009, strictly divided sign for sign. While waiting to find out what was in store for us next year, I want to suggest you an appointment with the stars, quiet, I do not to submit to yet another horoscope, the sky that I invite you to observe is that 'astronomical'.

Not quite on a New Year's Day but on 3 January 2009 in Siena the Observatory's Astrofili Senesi will be open to the public; at 21:30 you can watch by telescope the stars and nebulae that 'live' the northern hemisphere and for once the show will not take place Under the Tuscan Sun, but it will be the Tuscan sky itself. The astronomical station of Siena Palmiero Capannoli is located near Port Laterina, if you arrive in Siena by train it is necessary to take a bus to reach Independence Square and here take another bus /(n 54) which stops at Port Laterina, while if you come by car you can park in route Bastianini and route of the Nuovo Asilo.

Now it only remains to hope that the night is clear and therefore the maximum visibility and check the weather forecast ... and that the stars are with you!

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Kinzica de' Sismondi, who was she?

How many live or know some of Pisa will know that one of the historical neighborhoods that had divided the Tuscan city was called Kinzica (for those who are handy was more or less up to via San Martino). Its name derives from that of a woman lived in Pisa in the Middle Ages and still remembered here as an heroin, especially at events such as the Maritime Republics' race involving Amalfi, Venice, Genoa and Pisa course.

During the costume parade before the person that has the shoes of Kinzica dei Sismondi arrives on horseback, accompanied by six maids and a palfrey, and accompanied by eight drummers and four bishops. Who was Kinzica treated with such a great importance? The answer probably lies in a historical episode that has become over time a legendary alone.

Around 1004-1005, when the events took place, the pirates threatened the city of Pisa at a time when it was defenseless. Their plan was sent in smoke from Kinzica de' Sismondi that sounded the bells and awakened the inhabitants so that the people rejected the invaders. A few added that she fought in first person for the defense of the city. In any case, the result was an overwhelming victory and everlasting memory of Kinzica Sismondi in the collective memory of the city.

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Biscuits Befanini for a sweet New Year

What's better to wish someone a sweet Christmas giving as a gift something really sweet, maybe we prepared? On the Christmas' sweets the Tuscan recipes are of a wide variety of biscuits and cakes that can be selected.

What I have decided to propose to you for these festivals is traditionally one of the recipes prepared in Tuscany in the early days of the new year, as the name reveals: the Befanini (from Befana, an old woman who brings the sweets to children for the epiphany).

Ingredients:
For the dough: 500 gr. flour, 100 gr. butter, lard nut, 200 gr. sugar, 2 eggs, 1 egg yolk, some 'milk (enough to make the dough consistent)
For the marzipan: walnuts, almonds and chopped egg clear (mounted)

Preparation:
The mixture should be kept in the refrigerator for about 10, 15 minutes and then laid out with rolling pin and then with the special shapes are obtained many biscuits with the shape of heart, star, Christmas tree ... Now you are ready to prepare marzipan, with a little bit of Alkermes and then spread the batter with a spoon on befanini. Now you only have to put them in the oven and let them brown and... Bon appetit!

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Palace Alla Giornata in Pisa

Poised between myth and reality, the story that I want to tell you in this holiday concerning the origin of the term At the Day (Alla giornata) with which is named one of the historic buildings that are located on the river Arno of Pisa, current seat of the Rector of the University, story that had a happy ending just one day of Christmas of a few centuries ago.

The narration of the facts leads us in the seventeenth century and the protagonist is a knight Pisan that, following fierce naval battle, fell into Turkish hands. Entrusted to the custody of one of the favorites of the bey, he soon earned the admiration for the courage shown during his captivity so that he would be left free if in return had agreed to renoune his religion.
Despite the Knight of Pisa showed no hesitation, the court took on with a new proposal, namely to be free enough to stop to observe the rule on Friday in thin had always strictly followed. Past few weeks, a knight on Friday asked that he had led a lavish meal, happy to hear this news, the courtier turkish remained true to his promise and released into freedom. What he did not know was unaware that that day is celebrated Christmas event for which the precept of Friday was exceptionally lean suspended.
Back in Pisa, the knight built a palace on the Arno River and as a votive he placed above the entrance three links of the chain that had kept him prisoner and he wrote the motto At Day to remember that even in difficulty, we must not lose hope because in just one day the adversity can capsize.

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Villa Medici at Poggio a Caiano

Villa Medici at Poggio a Caiano is located a few kilometers from Florence, in the province of Prato ant it is easily reachable by bus from the station of Santa Maria Novella.

Built by Giuliano da Sangallo for the will of Lorenzo the Magnificent on an area belonged to the historical Florentine families of Rucellai and Strozzi, the villa of Poggio a Caiano has seen in years the alternation of various artists including Filippino Lippi for the fresco in the loggia on the first floor, Andrea Sansovino in the pediment majolica, Andrea del Sarto, Alessandro Allori and Pontormo for the realization of the beautiful cycle of frescoes that decorate the walls of the Salon of Pope Leo X.

In addition to the villa and the park, you can visit the Museum of still life, inaugurated in June 2007, which boasts a number of paintings on a time span ranging from sixteenth to the eighteenth century. If you do not have time to visit both, my advice is to see the villa, one of the most beautiful among the Medici villas that I have ever seen.

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Art, genius and madness in Siena

Next 2009 the schedule of exhibitions in Tuscany is quite full of interesting encounters with art, like the one I want you to talk about.

Art, genius and madness, exhibition at the Santa Maria della Scala in Siena, from January 30 to 25 March 2009. The exhibition aims to analyze the combination between artistic genius and madness through an excursus full of big names, such as Van Gogh, Munch, Ernst, Dix, Grosz, Guttuso, Ligabue and the list still includes other famous artists.

All this for a total of over 300 works, including paintings and sculptures from some of the major European museums including the Museum d'Orsay and the Musée National d'Art Moderne - Center Georges Pompidou in Paris, the Museo del Prado of Madrid, the Kirchner Museum in Davos and National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome, Pinacoteca di Brera and Braidense Biblioteca Nazionale in Milan.
For information contact the Museum Complex Santa Maria della Scala in 0577 224,811 - 224,835.

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Unusual, secret Tuscany

Unusual, secret Tuscany is a book, published by Jonglez, that addresses at tourists who want to discover a non-postcard Tuscany and at those who live in Tuscany and think they know all the places in which they live. It is not like a traditional tourist guide, so if you are planning holidays in Tuscany will do better to rely on travelers' canonical bible Lonely Planet with his valuable advice, but if you want to walk out of the beaten track, then this book is for you.

I accidentally discovered on the shelves of Feltrinelli, the title intrigued me, so I peeled and I noticed that there are many small details of monuments and corners of cities like Florence and Siena that I know quite well that to date I had escaped.

Two examples of all: on some buildings in the center of Florence you can see strange openings similar to the doors but large as windows (like that of the next photo), having formerly a particular function, while on the left side of the Cathedral of Siena was carved a square formed by written Palindrome (SATORI AREP TENET OPERA rotas) which has cryptic and multiple interpretations, esoteric, alchemists, numerology. A palindrome like this in Siena was found on a square column in Pompeii, and then dated no later than 79 AD.

If you're curious at this point to know what the mysterious Florentine doors are and you want to discover the meaning of Siena Palindrome there remains that read Unusual, secret Tuscany.

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Villa Medici of Quarrata is... Magic

In a green protected area, nestled in the hills of Montalbano in the province of Pistoia, lies the Villa Medici of Quarrata whose name is: The Magic (La Magia.

The beautiful Renaissance palace is located in a park museum where there are works by contemporary artists merged with nature, as in the Micat in Vertice by Fabrizio Corneli (installation of light and shadow on the facade of the limonaia) and The factory memory by Anne and Patrick Poirier (installation sandstone whose shape echoes the ellipse of the brain).

Temporarily exposed works are addes to this permanent collection. Even for a few days is the turn of the garden of marble Hidetoshi Nagasawa. Landed in Italy for the first time in 1967, the Japanese sculptor proposes you an impressive petrified wood, made of columns, exposed until Dec. 30 in the Villa.

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Oh my beloved Puccini, another book on puccini? no

The reading reported this week in the book section, One book, two minutes on Radio Lady (97.7 fm, spread throughout the central and western Tuscany, and streaming) is Oh my beloved Puccini (O mio Puccini caro)written by Cerrone Virginia.

The title does not deceive you, this is not a biography nor a volume of celebration of Puccini, despite its publication by Editions Cinquestampe at the 150th anniversary of his birth. The figure of the great composer appears in the story, or rather his tunes that are the soundtrack to the love story, the central theme of the book.

To this add the ad hoc environment, the facts narrated are held at the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago, and the name of the protagonist, Liù. And if not maybe more to say anything, opera lovers will remember the slave of Turandot. So a book that speaks of Puccini through the back door, the notes of his most famous melodies, so beautiful that they make people fall in love ...

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Lesson 21 by Baricco at the Cinema Stella in Grosseto

Traditional like Christmas tree decorated with a thousand lights and colored balls, better than a sweetie, done for pleasure rather 'at all, as every year at Christmas a lot of typical Christmas films for families have invaded cinemas and multiplex cinemas. So while the couple alas erupted Boldi-De Sica (now instead of one are two of their films Christmas) rages on big screens throughout Italy, was pleased to know that in this desert oasis are seeking shelter in which to see something different from Christmas usual programming.

Who dares so much? They are often small cinema d'essai, fortunately still alive and active in the spread of quality films. This is the case of Cinema Stella in Grosseto and Lesson 21, the first test of Alessandro Baricco behind the camera, which will be screened at the end of the year, between 29 and Dec. 31. In following the shooting of this movie the neo director has continued to wear the shoes of writer since the story was conceived by him as first thought story right now for a film development. If you watch a film when taken from a book will remain mostly disappointed, Lesson 21 represents to me the famous exception that proves the rule.

In the film takes shape in the twenty-first fantastic history lesson that the eccentric Professor Mondrian Kilroy used to hold during his university course whose central theme was to dismantle the masterpieces in its overstated. In Lesson 21, specifically, to be targeted is the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven, performed by the composer, now abandoned in a silent solitude, in Vienna in 1824. During the same year died in a forest one Austria music teacher, Hans Peters, until the last moment accompanied by the notes of his violin. As the two stories are intreccino among themselves and with the present, from commemoration consisting of university teaching, is a fine balancing game in which Baricco sa cleverly juggling.
I conclude by saying that in addition to the plot, board the movie for the beauty the scenery, the costumes and photography. And if I do not believe judged yourself watching the trailer.

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That crib on the bottom of the sea

Italians, we seafarers not only in summer, when there are more beach umbrellas on our coasts than fishes in water, but even in winter, in the Christmas atmosphere. In this period cribs are prepared in many houses and in every church, while those living wind in recent days along the streets of various countries, then the cribs these days are really everywhere, even on the bottom of the Mediterranean.

One of these cribs divers are set each year in the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, opposite the island of Giglio in the province of Grosseto. A 25-meter deep seabed on the hood, have been placed for the holidays of 2008/2009 statues This unique crib that, until early January, is visited by guided dives. Anyone interested can find more information about costs, schedules and contacts by reading the document www.maxshark.it / promozioni.doc.

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Living crubs in Tuscany

The first crib made by St. Francis on Christmas Eve of 1223 in Greccio was a living crib, this ancient tradition is preserved today and indeed there are many depictions of the birth of Christ in which, instead of statuettes, there are people in flesh and bones. They are usually located in countries more than big cities, and given the history and architecture of medieval villages, many Italian living cribs become even more impressive. I thought of give some information on the main living cribs that you can see in these days in Tuscany.

Living crib in Rosignano Marittimo (province of Livorno) takes place on December 24 to 21 and Dec. 26 to 15. More than 150 people listed impersonate pastors, knights, merchants and of course the Holy Family in Bethlehem. Ihis living crib is set between the narrow streets and beset Rosignano Marittimo, a country built around the tenth century that overlooks the sea and the hills.
For information, please contact the 0586 792973.

Living crib in Barga (province of Lucca) is a traditional event which is celebrated in the evening of Dec. 23 the Barga to Christmas.
The performance involves the entire country of Lucchesia that one day turns into a crib in the open air where listed (over 200) are reviving ancient crafts, and so here's the washerwomen, the grinder, the blacksmiths, the millers, the musici, the weavers ... and finally, the characters of the Holy Family that will give life to the Nativity on the lawn dell'Aringo at the foot of the Cathedral of Barga.

Living crib in Monterchi (province of Arezzo) takes place on 25, 26, December 30, the first and 6 January. Crib winds along the streets and squares of the country catapulting the visitor back in time about 2,000 years and making it to see scenes of daily life of people present at the Nativity. So entering the houses you may surprise men and women gathered at the table or bustling in raising children, while in shops spinner, carpenters and craftsmen are at work.

Living crib of Equi Terme (province of Lucca) held on December 23 (20.30 - 23.30) and Dec. 25-27 (18-21).
So nice to have been awarded, the living crib of Equi Terme involves the inhabitants of the country for about 20 years. On the evening off the artificial lights of modern life for four days light up those torches and lanterns to illuminate the story of the Nativity. An appointment well established tradition of Christmas with the participation of many listed. A perfect setting for the Holy Family is the Pit, one of the natural caves in the area. Think of go on December 27 can take a steam train running from Viareggio to 16 and here we return to 22.30. Incovenient single price: 45 euros for the whole ticket; much more affordable cost of the ticket to visit the crib only 4 euros.

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New Year in costume in Florence

If you plan to spend the New Year 2009 in Florence know that, in addition to traditional festivals animated by dj in the numerous nightclubs Florentine (Yab, Saschall, Colle Beret...), the city offers you the opportunity to greet the New Year in a somewhat unusual participating in the evenings in costume.

Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence could not possibly welcome to 2009 with a large banquet renaissance of the end of the year? He backdrop to this event the sixteenth Gattai Palace Budini made by Ammanati. The old home of Secretary of Cosimo de' Medici overlooks the square of the Annunciation, where once the celebrations were held for the new year in Florence, the day of Annunciation, on March 25. Today, as then relives that atmosphere of celebration with a program that includes inviting the reception of guests by staff in Renaissance clothing, during the dinner which will declaim passages of famous writers and traditional Tuscan toast, live music until 3, and concluding in beauty, indeed in goodness, the taste of sweet, chocolate pastry teachers grappas Bonci and Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti.

While the Renaissance Palace banquet Budini Gattai the historical costume is worn only by staff, it is mandatory for those participating in the evening end of the year organized by the spire of the Dragon. Once again the setting helps create the right atmosphere for a New Year in costume, the festival takes place in the hospital because of Bigallo, a medieval mansion of a Bagno a Ripoli, just 5km from South Florence. And for those who want to linger in the event of celebrations Mezzinverno begins Dec. 30 and finished the evening you can stay to sleep. Dinner buffet, rides and dancing are the ingredients of this evening where fantasy worn the shoes of a fantastic character impersonate him in a role play live. To find out costs, regulations and other you can see the site Mezzinverno.

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Christmas gift.... made in Tuscany

In this period of festivities many people are locked in the hunt for the gift, which is why I thought to give you some idea about Christmas gifts to suit every budget and strictly made in Tuscany.

Items in alabaster. These products typical of Volterra, in Pisa, are made from various farms in the area where the craft sometimes reaches levels of true art. By varying measures, the forms that these items may have also changed their prices. For a simple thought can buy a keychain in the shape of animal or perhaps a cup of coffee spilled on the saucer realistically (may be not an original idea requires special economic efforts), or why not an apple or a peach (in some cases the fruit is preserved so well that if it were not for the weight it could threaten to bite). For a gift more important are the traditional pots, traditionally made of alabaster white shine when lit. And these are just some ideas of what you may have walking through the streets of Volterra.

Manufacture of Signa. Renowned for the quality of its reproductions of art, the Manufacture of Signa again the subject of famous paintings in pursuit of its paintings but also of artistic and decorative objects. Who wants to buy a painting if the spending can get at least 66 euros, so if was looking for a less expensive article can fall back on cartons, bags, earrings. The shops that sell products Manufacturing of Signa are in Florence via de Calzaiuoli (www.manifatturadisigna-shop.it), a short walk from Piazza della Signoria, in Pisa in Corso Italia (www.manifatturasigna-pisashop.it) and obviously a Signa, in Gramsci.

Theater tickets. This gift will certainly very pleased to those who love theater and programming theater Tuscan provides a wide range of interesting performances between prose, opera, ballet, concerts and theater in Tuscan vernacular.

Florentine leather goods. Who in Florence is usually browse among the stalls of the markets of San Lorenzo or del Porcellino knows that objects in leather here is spoiled for choice. Handbags, handbags, backpacks, purses in leather are the evergreen of the local high quality crafts shopping.

Objects in cooked wool. Not necessarily made in Pakistan, scarves, throws, jackets, bags wool cooked products are in fact made by many firms craft in Casentino (province of Arezzo). A classic of this production is the color orange coat, a gift for less demanding range can be chosen among many accessories in cooked wool including pins from different forms and pretty handbags like the one I bought at a stall in Pisa during the market takes place in the center of the city every second weekend.

Bottles of wine. If during the holidays you have been invited to dinner and want to bring something pleasant but not too hard and maybe you do not know very well the taste of the landlord, a thought that should be appreciated (unless astemio) consists of a bottle of Tuscan wine, even a Supertuscan, as are called those Tuscan wines without a specification, or a wine DOCG, which is Chianti or Brunello di Montalcino success at the table is guaranteed.

Tuscan traditional sweets. Dulcis in fundo I could not conclude by offering the classic Christmas basket that certainly welcome the sweet tooth, you can easily fill with ricciarelli, panforte of Siena, the cantuccini of Prato, perhaps accompanied by a bottle of Vin Santo. And if next to these and other traditional sweets as panettone and pandoro I would like to insert some little known but delicious, a sort of delicacy of the throat, you should add in the basket of the panficato of the Giglio' island, a caloric bomb stuffed with figs, nuts, pieces of fruit and chocolate. The only problem is that this typical product of the province of Grosseto is not a large marketing outside of this land. For those who love salty can not miss specialty foods such as salami walls of Siena or the wild boar sauce.

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Christmas Concerts in Tuscany

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way ... Last Christmas I gave you my heart... like every year in December to these songs are again in many shops and supermarkets and even from the speakers in the main shopping streets citizen to become a sort of soundtrack of life for many of us. Cities become a decorated party where snowflakes and garlands descend from above illuminating streets and squares, and what we get is a Christmas atmosphere somewhat 'cold', as the temperature of this period, for my taste. The spirit of Christmas more authentic, I feel in markets in the teeming with people and sifting through the stalls where the smell of crunchy mixes with the colors of objects, ninnoli, statuettes of the crib, decorations...

But the essential ingredient in creating the magical atmosphere and warm Christmas in my view is represented by the traditional Christmas song intoned by several choirs in many churches. In Tuscany busy calendar of events to be included is already party to some great concerts like the one held on 13 in the Cathedral of Pisa where for just over an hour have echoed the melody composed by Haydn and beautifully interpreted by the Choir and Camerata of Cremona dall'Orchestra Philharmonic Italiana. What if it is lost do not worry, the opportunity to build and is not lacking among the next Christmas concerts there some point, all free, where classical music and gospel choirs are from the owner.

Christmas Concert in Florence on December 18 at 21.15 in the church of San Salvatore al Monte (Patrizia Cigna, soprano; Lucia Naples, mezzo-soprano; Baltazar Zúñiga, tenor; head Walter, bass; V. Galilei Orchestra, Schola Cantorum F. Landini).

Jubilation Gospel Choir in concert in Pisa on December 19 to 21 in the Church of San Michele Arcangelo.

Christmas Concert at Arezzo on December 19 at 21.15 in the Basilica di San Francesco (Patrizia Cigna, soprano; Lucia Naples, mezzo-soprano; Baltazar Zúñiga , Tenor; head Walter, bass; V. Galilei Orchestra, Schola Cantorum F. Landini)

Concerto chamber in Florence on December 21 to 21 at the Church of Orsanmichele.

Christmas Concert in Grosseto on December 21 at 21.15 at the Cathedral, by the Choral Puccini.

Gospel Choir The Joyful Gospel Ensamble at Siena on December 23 at 17.30 in Piazza Duomo.

Gospel Choir Oscar Williams & Praise perfected will perform in the church of Lunata (province of Lucca) on December 23.

Jazz Concert Jazz Group in New Orleans performs at Monteriggioni (province of Siena) December 23 to 21 in the church of Santa Maria dell 'Assunta.

Gospel Concert in Cortona (province of Arezzo) on December 26 at 21.15 in the church of Saint Augustine.

Christmas Concert at Licciana Nardi (province of Massa) December 26 to 21 in Castle Terrarossa, music by Strauss, Bach, Mozart, Morricone, Piazzarotta.

Christmas Concert at Montepescali (province of Grosseto) on December 27 at 20.30 with the participation of the Choir of Arrange Roccastrada in the Church of St. Nicholas.

Christmas Concert in Pienza (province of Siena) on December 28 at 17 in the church of San Francesco.

The only exception in this list of free concerts for Christmas that jazz to be held on December 22 to 21 at the Teatro Comunale in Florence, actor Woody Allen. And even if the program of the concert that you will hear no music Beethoven the final result will be for your ears a hymn to joy!

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Food Sicilian cuisine restaurant in Pisa

In Tuscany among the best place to taste some typical Sicilian cuisine continues, after dinner last night, is La Stanzina in Pisa. As its name indicates (Stanzina means little room), this place is really small, with just one room and covered as well as I seem to appreciate this restaurant in many, it is best to go about booking.

The central location (a stone's throw from Borgo Stretto), the atmosphere, the soft loci, the relationship between quality and price make La Stanzina one of my favourite restaurants in Pisa. And while this place is not proposing a wide variety of dishes on the menu (all times that I went there I always found the same courses) is also true that none of what I felt never disappointed me. A must for those who frequent the place is the home of the mixed appetizer (20 euros for two people), rather abundant, including grilled vegetables, mozzarella cheese, dried tomatoes, toasted bread slices with olive paste and a cucumber sauce, black olives and ripened cheese.

Good choice of the first, among which I tasted the sedani alla norma, orecchiette co' a muddica and trofiette of Trapani, all those I have met and filled. Indeed, even if I have the reputation of being a good fork, an appetizer and a mixed first to La Stanzina are always able to satiate the hungry, but I have friends who brought me here to eat have also expressed positive opinions on the rolls of Messina, and since it Sicilian doc is not as trusting ... :-) Dulcis in fundo here is the sore point, no, it is not an oversight, the dessert is not in my opinion at the menu. To eat good cannoli and other confectionery Sicilian specialties I recommend the Sicilian Pastry in via Garibaldi.

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The Deposition of Christ by Pontormo: Gem of Mannerism in Florence

When understood in Florence near Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), as has happened to me in these days, a step almost obligatory for me is the church of Santa Felicita. During a lesson on unversitaria Pontormo, restless genius of Mannerism, I discovered that this small Florentine church retains one of his most valuable: the altarpiece depicting the Deposition of Christ. The interior rather gloomy makes it impossible to appreciate better the vibrant shades of colors used by Pontormo. For this advice to those who go to visit it to take advantage of the machine at the ready. Placing a euro turns on the lights of the chapel where the work is exposed and you start an explanation on this church in Florence and his masterpiece.

The scene is crowded with figures that barely occupy almost the entire background, rather indistinct. If the terms are dramatic as it agrees to a similar subject, the positions are as unrealistic for the two angels who argue on tiptoe, even had two dancers of La Scala, the body of Christ feel without the weight. If the postures are unnatura, the shapes and colors are artificial too, such as drapery are embossed in metal colors changing abruptly.


And to those who know and appreciate this work I can only advise to see Ricotta of Pier Paolo Pasolini, part of Rogopag film, in which the director recreates a tableau vivant inspired his deposition to the Pontormo of which I would propose that a piece I found on Youtube.



Restando in ambito cinematografico eccovi un altro titolo di un film dedicato interamente a questo pittore: Pontormo - un amore eretico di Giovanni Fago. Buona visione a tutti!

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It was a dark and stormy night ... In Maremma

In a rainy day like those that unfortunately occur lately in Italy, including Tuscany, when I was a little girl and I had to stay at home, my grandmother used to tell fairy tales and legends. For this reason, the ticking of violent rain on the windows is sometimes surface from a trunk of memories baggage of images and stories related to my childhood. Among the legends that my grandmother loved to tell there were some of their traditional Maremma, set in the land of Tuscany that, today sought tourist destination, was once threatened by epidemics and bandits. A past 'stormy' has contributed to the emergence of ghost stories like the one I go now to tell.

It was a dark and stormy night that many years ago when a hunter, lost the prey that he was chasing, is found to seek immediate shelter from the rain that increasingly insistent was breaking down the mountains dell'Uccellina. Foretasting the warmth of a covered the corner jumped before a black cat that remained immobile a fix for a moment that had to seem rather long hunter. He had recently taken over the road when he made a most bizarre encounter of the first, a hooded friar throughout the next passed, no reply greeting to his uncertain but quietly went away without it being felt by the sound of his steps and that the long black robe was moved by the slightest gust of wind or washed by the roar of water.
A shiver traveled back, and as the cold was the fear come to remember the stories of ghosts that hovered around the many scattered towers to the woods of the Maremma as the Tower of San Rabano whose mole stood before his eyes. The hunter was really glad to see a refuge from the storm and he was about to turn a fire that hot when a cheep called his attention and wonder ... a brooder gold and its twelve chicks shine in darkness of the tower.
The man had heard of this animal from his grandmother and he remembered a huge treasure of which would come into possession that he had managed to capture the gold brooder (who knows if his grandmother like mine had warned of the dangers of such a hunt). What could attract prey more our hunter? Right time to imagine what riches awaited him that disappeared in pursuit of litter through pertugi that unfolds inside the tower up to lead it in a cave tetra, illuminated only by the glow of precious gems that fuoriscivano from caskets arranged along the walls while the focus was the golden hen.
But we know each treasure hunt that respects is strewn with obstacles in this case took the form of threatening guardians, as many as The coffers, which began to move towards the hunter hampers any attempt to escape. Among those figures obscure the man recognized the cat and the monk met before and their grip became increasingly tight until managed to earn an opening-legged races and finally raised overwhelmed by fatigue collapsed to the ground.
The morning's awakening to the sun illuminate the forest dell'Uccellina and the night before seemed just a bad nightmare. But once back at home was reflected how he saw the face of a man marked by fear of a real hair had become white and eyes had turned off the shine of youth.

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Florence... Not only Uffizi

Florence, with its museums and its ten hundred masterpieces by far girar la testa, I have the fortune to know quite well since I live near there. For this reason, last weekend because my friend from Milan stopped for a few days in Florence I thought to suggest a tour 'alternative', the discovery of those corners of the city some 'less beaten by the tourist trail.

Saturday 29. Meet at 10 before the pharmacy station Santa Maria Novella and path to the first stage of our weekend in Florence: the Museum Stibbert, easily reached from Santa Maria Novella taking the bus 4. Going to stop Gioia, a short climb leads to the museum, an old-style dwelling neomedievale dell'anglofiorentino Frederick Stibbert who has collected many works of art and antiques acquired over the years, this is porcelain, paintings, costumes and weapons of eras and other countries.

I confess that the museum has exceeded my expectations, and this thanks to the establishment that sees objects as the Middle East exposed in a room Moorish style and a parade of riders (almost as tall men in flesh and bones) that seem to parade in the hall medievaleggiante for a final outcome truly impressive. Unfortunately we can not do photos, so you have to be satisfied with those you find on the site www.museostibbert.it.

Taken back to the bus station and from there we head towards the district of San Lorenzo where lunch at the restaurant Giannino in San Lorenzo, despite the space is quite crowded, the service is quick and tasty courses.

A belly full resume the journey until Capucci Museum located near Ponte Vecchio on top of a steep climb. So much effort is adequately rewarded by the beauty of dresses by Roberto Capucci. "Others that Cavalli and Dolce and Gabbana" exclaims my friend and give it as wrong. Ocean, Giorgini (the names of some of his latest creations) ... a triumph of colors and shapes to be admired ... without being able to photograph! For me as an easy step from is difficult but the keeper careful notes and I desist. Save images from the site www.fondazionerobertocapucci.com.

Single worry: too few clothes on display. Tickets (6 euros one whole) includes admission to the Museum Annigoni, the Milanese artist of the twentieth century who did not know and whose works are preserved. Now back doing a brief stop in the little church of Santa Felicita where it is kept The Deposition of Pontormo. It will be for the bright colors, will be almost sculptured forms, Pontormo I think the Capucci of Mannerism.

We cross Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) that, so decorated with ornaments and Christmas lights, shines even more, and take the lungarno until you reach the museum Horne whose story is somewhat similar to that of Stibbert. Again a rich English gentleman, in love with Florence and great art collector, gave birth to this museum leaving a legacy to the city. Besides the beauty of works of art, what I liked most of this museum is visiting seems to be in a Renaissance house, furnished with tables, chairs, chests and other furniture at the time, and I feel somewhat as Roberto Benigni in the movie We just have to cry (Non ci resta che piangere).

Satisfy view, it is time to satisfy even the stomach and so we decide to grant us the 'luxury' to a stop at Cafe Pazskowski afternoon, a cafe that historians overlook the Piazza della Repubblica: a tea rose in winter to you, a warm milk with an apple flan I for a total of EUR 19.50! But sometimes it's nice pamper a while '.

After a stroll around the shops and the market of San Lorenzo dinner at the restaurant ZA ZA, where he eats well, the flows are abundant and spends just (a great appetizer for two, a first and two seconds, water and covered at 56 euros), and at the end of the evening we go to the pub Colle Beret in piazza Strozzi. Sunday 30. The following day begins with the Alinari Museum, in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, we are lucky, is the last day of the exhibition devoted to Japanese Shinjo Ito whose art was strongly influenced by Buddhist religion. Along with its statues, permanent exhibit some of the many photographs belonging to the fund Alinari showing landscapes, costumes and characters of the past. Left the museum cast a last glance at the church of Santa Maria Novella with the beautiful facade made by Leon Battista Alberti.

Upstream along the path of beautiful women, some 'hidden to the eye, there is a strange door once used by wine merchants to pass their flasks avventori and two steps in the square Antinori, visit the church of Saints Michael and Gaetano, beautiful baroque. What a pity it had not been able to see the painting by Pietro da Cortona, whose restoration should end at the beginning of the year again. We will come back for sure! A sandwich and street toward the ultimate goal of this weekend Florentine Palazzo Medici Riccardi. In addition to the magnificent painting cycle of Benozzo Gozzoli that adorned the walls of the chapel of the palace, already in via Cavour Via Larga, it is now possible to admire the beautiful painting by Raphael depicts the Madonna of the goldfinch in stages of restoration just completed are shown through panels explanatory. Find some information on the site www.palazzo-medici.it

Let's go even a little 'a stroll to shops, from the International Feltrinelli bookshop in front of the museum. For more information about museums, restaurants, cited in this mini tour will mark the information found on the site www.agriturismo.net / Tuscan-info and the guide Tuscany and unusual secret. Really unusual and secret can be a tourist town like Florence who visited houses in corners, museums, palaces, unusual views, which should be viewed alongside the Uffizi and the Duomo.

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