Such an important historical re-evocation takes place in two different moments: the battle is preceded by a Historical Parade, a sort of military parade taking place along the Arno River. Subsequently, the real Battle is set on the Ponte di Mezzo, where the ancient historical enemy Pisa areas of Mezzogiorno (south of the Arno) and Tramontana (north of the river) will challenge each other in a very exciting atmosphere.

The Tramontana “troops” represent the districts of Santa Maria, San Francesco, San Michele, Mattaccini, Calci and Sartiri, whereas the Mezzogiorno represents Sant’Antonio, San Martino, San Marco, Leoni, Dragoni and Delfini.

During the days preceding the battle, Ponte di Mezzo is carefully set: an instrument in wood, a sort of heavy trolley (seven tons) is set on fifty meters long tracks. The final victory goes to the team that wins the greater number of battles, pushing the trolley into the enemy field and knocking over the staff with the banner with the colors of the enemy team.

If you’ve never visited Pisa before, this is a perfect occasion!

Further information about the city of Pisa are available on the brand new tourist guide to Pisa, www.aboutpisa.info.

Such an event is conceived in order to celebrate the International Astronomy Year (2009), an UNESCO initiative to commemorate the astronomy and science discoveries made by the Pisan scientist. And what’s a better way to pay homage to him than a new and modern Museum?

The Museo Galileo will host more than 1,000 invaluable instruments and experimental apparatuses belonging to Medici and Lorraine families, among which we find the only original telescopes of the great scientist and the telescope lens with which Galileo discovered Jupiter’s moons.

An entirely changed space, endowed with technological avant-garde instruments and devices for the conservation and safeguard of the objects on display and highlight their esthetic quality.

The exhibition trail will let visitors marvel at the several scientific instruments and devices with the help of multimedia systems, such as portable interactive video-guides — used for the first time in a museum — that will make the most complex instruments fully understandable even to non-specialist visitors. As a matter of fact, it will be possible to access to hypertext pages, 3D animations, and biographies. Visitors will have also the chance to use the video-guides to select an itinerary through the museum tailored to their specific interests.

Another curiosity? On the occasion of the museum opening, the remains of the scientist will be put on display, that is to say, two fingers and a tooth, which disappeared a century ago and recently have been found again by two Florentine collectors, and now will be put on display together with another finger already kept by the museum. Such remains were taken in 1737, when the corpse was exhumed to be moved into the monumental sepulchre of Basilica di Santa Croce.

Well, we can’t say that the Museum has not originality or unique and rare objects!!

For having more information, please visit the website www.aboutgalileogalilei.com. To have more information about Florence or Pisa, you will find everything you need on the online tourist guide www.aboutflorence.com and www.aboutpisa.info.

Opening Hours:
All days from 09.30 am to 06.00 pm
On Tuesdays 09.30 am to 01.00 pm

Tickets: € 8

Where:
Museo Galileo, Piazza dei Giudici 1
50122 Florence
Tel. 055.265311
info@museogalileo.it

Among the most beautiful, exiting and stunning, we find the event of Luminara, which on every 16th June takes place in Pisa in honor of the patron of the city, San Ranieir, whose memorabilia are preserved in the Chapel of Pisa Cathedral (Duomo) since 1688.

On this occasion, some days before the event, about 70,000 little lights and candles are placed on the facades of the buildings along the Arno river, which decorate ledges, windows, arcades and balconies of all monuments, palaces, towers and churches of the city.

A myriad of lights adorning the picturesque city of Pisa, creating a very stunning background around citizens and visitors. As a spectacular effect along the river banks, the luminous architectures will reflect on the river water, where other many lights will be carried by the river stream. Buildings along the Arno River will turn into a fantastical fairyland setting.

And finally, in order to complete an evening rich of magic and emotions, everybody will look up there, at the fabulous fireworks full of bursts and colors: a rain made up of luminous streamers will get the summer started!

In addition, the following day, the Saint Ranieri Fair takes place in Pisa, with many stalls crowding the streets of the city, where visitors will find sweets, toys, antiques, junk jewelry and much more among chats and laughs of Pisa citizens and tourists.

A perfect occasion for having fun, getting excited thanks to such a stunning show, and why not, visiting the city of Pisa!

For further information about monuments, accommodation or events in Pisa, please take a look at our brand new website www.aboutpisa.info

Not to mention the aristocratic palaces and the historical residences in the centre of many cities of art, including Arezzo, Siena, Pisa, etc.

Even the famous tenor Enrico Caruso, at the apex of his career, decided to buy two villas located on Florentine hills. In short, Tuscany is really rich in villas.

And in the last few years, an increasing number of tourists chose to spend their holidays in a villa in Tuscany.

Would you like to spend pleasant holidays in a villa in Tuscany?

In the website of “Holiday Homes Tuscany srl” you will find a wide range of Tuscan villas of different sizes, very convenient prices and conditions.

Choose the villa that best fits your requirements among those suggested in the website of “HolidayHomesTuscany srl”.

E-mail or phone us and book the villa of your dreams in just a few minutes, for unforgettable holidays in the charming Tuscany…in one of the several Tuscany Villas.

Now you can find all the information you need also on the page of About Italy on Facebook! It’s really easy, become our fan and you will receive real-time updating about events, exhibitions, performances, sport and cultural events in the most beautiful Italian cities: Florence, Milan, Pisa, Rome, Siena, Turin, Venice…and don’t forget about the valley of Mugello, the Versilia coast and the Region of Liguria!

Italy is full of wonderful places to discover and visit among mountains and the sea, from the North to the South…you will be spoilt for choice! In order to know the events of the week, you need just a click and will find practical and useful information and tips for knowing and taking part in the several events in Italy. You won’t miss a thing.

Now that we are on Facebook, you will find every single information you need also on Networkedblogs!

Follow About Italy Blog also on Networkedblogs, our continuously up-to-date page with the brand new articles about events in Italy.

Over 200 of you already became our fans, about 60 people keep on follow our updating through Networkedblogs….So we would like to thank you all, keep it up! We wait for you in great numbers!

We remind you also that all kind of feedbacks, comments, suggestions and tips about our blog are always welcome.

In the Belpaese, you will be spoilt for choice! We would like to remind all our visitors the best events and parties organized in the most beautiful Italian cities, where you will find great celebrations, fireworks, music at full volume, dances and delicious wine and food.

The cosmopolitan city of Turin, in the region of Piedmont, in 2010 will be elected “European Capital of Youth”. In order to show such a merit, the young city of Turin for the New Year’s Eve 2010 organizes a special evening with loud music, a concert which will take place in Piazza Vittorio Veneto from 9.30 pm, an event dedicated to people under 35! The absolute protagonists of the night will be the famous English group Groove Armada and the American group Juliette Lewis and New Romantics, followed by many other artists until midnight, when it will be time for spectacular fireworks.

In Milan on the other hand, in Piazza Stuparich from 10.00 pm to 2.00 am there will be the Galà at Palalido: the event will start with the concert of Nora De Stefani and after, the famous italian singer Fausto Leali with his orchestra.

In the charming Venice, we underline the fabulous and romantic New Year’s Eve celebration called “Love”, which is characterized by a general kiss at midnight and also by much music in the streets and many fireworks.

In the wonderful city of Florence there will be many famous Italian artists in concert, such as Lucio Dalla, Irene Grandi and the group Negrita, which will exhibit between the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella and Piazza della Stazione.

In Siena, it could be a good idea to spend the New Year’s Eve in the streets and squares of the city, among the enlightened little streets which make Siena even more beautiful; otherwise, it could be very nice to spend the night in an agriturismo, to taste typical food and wine. In the famous square Piazza del Campo there will be a great party for everyone, with music and images screenings, between innovation and tradition, music and art,

Otherwise…we could go to Rome for the New Year’s Eve 2010! And why not, near the Roman Coliseum, with much good music and great Italian guests such as the singer Antonello Venditti and the group Zero Assoluto, with a free concert. Much entertainment and fun waiting the end of the year in company with great singers of Italian music.

So guys…you’ll find fun and entertainment of any kind here in Italy…choose your Italian city! Squares, Clubs and discos, concerts with much music at full volume, spectacular fireworks…a perfect New Year’s Eve celebration!

From Milan, to Tuscany, Liguria, Rome and Sicily…Spend the New Year’s Eve 2010 in Italy!

Happy New Year to Everyone from About Italy Staff !!!

With no doubts people love and hate them, but the season of Christmas markets has come and it will be in all the Italian cities!

Colored lights, stands full of sweets, traditions and handicrafts products, toys and decorations will be placed along the streets and in the most famous (and not) squares in Italy. So, get ready to snoop around, nibbling and why not, to purchase the first Christmas gifts!

From Sicily to Valle d’Aosta, Italy in this period is full of such nice markets which welcome many Italians and foreign visitors, who come here to just take a look at the stalls rich of curious and original things. The list is endless, but we want to remind you the most unique noteworthy ones.

So…how not to mention the very famous Christams markets typical of Northern Italy! In Arco (in the province of Trento) there’s the Mercatino Asburgico until 23rd December 2009, an event which takes place every week-end with several appointments, such as the Alpenzoo and for the children, the fantastic little Christmas train which will bring them around the city! In the historic centre you will find 25 stands set up with typical handicrafts products: sweets and decorations, biscuits and little gift ideas, rag dolls, candles, little wood statues, glass and ceramics objects, toys, etc.

Still in the Northern Italy, in the cosmopolitan and dynamic city of Milan, in December there’s the Christmas and Artistic Handicrafts Market in Largo Corsia dei Servi (between Piazza Duomo and Piazza San Babila), all days from 10 am to 10 pm.

And in Turin, come and see the Christmas Market “Natale in Quinta”, with many stalls full of handicraft and food products, gifts of any kind in the Area Pepe in Via Gugliemo Pepe (Opening Hours: weekdays from 3 pm to 7.30 pm; days before a holiday and Saturdays from 10 pm to 7.30 pm; Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm).

And now, let’s go by the sea, in Liguria region! In fact since November, in the city of Genoa, in piazza Matteotti, there’s the Bottega Equo-Solidale with textiles and gastronomy products coming from the South of the World, whereas until 23^rd December there will be the traditional Market of St. Nicola (in Piazza Piccapietra) where there’s a Middle Ages setting and traders wear medieval costumes. Obviously, you can find handicraft products on sale, but some stalls which sell objects to give to charity.

Moving towards Savona, we find several Christmas markets in the city, among the others, the ones remaining are: on 20^th December in via Guidobono, on 18th December Santa Rita, on 23rd and 24th December the Fiera di Natale in piazza del Popolo and via Guidobono.

In the magical city of Florence, which in Christmas time becomes even more beautiful, from 2^nd to 20^th December 2009, as every year, the Heidelberg German Christmas Market will take place in the historical Piazza Santa Croce (“Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt”): here you will find Christmas decorations, wood decorations for your houses, typical products like brezen, beer, wurstel and many sweets.

In Pisa, go visit the Christmas Market which is held all December long under the Loggias dei Banchi from 8.30 am to 9.30 pm: here you will find several stalls offering local handicrafts products, toys, Christmas decorations, sweets, wines and gastronomy products.

Still in Tuscany, in the medieval city of Lucca surrounded by its ancient and high walls, there’s the “Fiera di San Michele di Natale”, a Christmas fair which takes place from December 8^th to 26^th 2009, with over 70 stands offering handicrafts and gastronomy products, Christmas decorations, toys and sweets.

Finally, we remind you that in Rome from 1^st December 2009 to 6^th January 2010 there will be traditional and expected Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, where visitors will find many stands offering sweets, decorations and toys. By the way, the absolute protagonist of the event will be the Befana: in fact, on stalls you will find many beautiful little statues dedicated to the Befana of all shapes and size, and also her famous and beloved socks!

I told you so! You’ll be spoilt for choice! And this is just a small part of the long list of Christmas markets in Italy.

If you would like to have more information about events in Italy, Christmas markets in Italy and fairs during Christmas time, keep in touch with us on our blog! For the moment, I wish you happy holidays and have nice shopping days!!

Tuscany can boast of several records, especially one: this region was the first in the world to abolish the capital punishment. In fact on November 30^th 1796, the enlightened Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo banished confiscation, torture and death penalty through a single law.

Since 2001, Tuscany has been celebrating this historical occurrence with an official feast, which even schedules a holiday for the schools of the ancient Grand Duchy and a program rich of events spread on all the regional area.

This initiative aims not only to remind and celebrate a defining moment of modern history, but in particular to reflect on the present and the future of the whole mankind. It’s important to notice, in fact, that the capital punishment is still applied in many countries in the world, and that Italian State is fighting for its abolition with an international moratorium at UN.

Hence this topic is a living matter, together with other related issues as democracy, peace, equality and justice all over the world.

Tuscany Feast so deals with values which are not only strictly related to death penalty, but also to other current problems, such as dialogue among different cultures and inclusion, sexual equality and deaths on-the-job. For this reason, during the event, congresses, lectures and official meetings are scheduled, to which many politicians, professors and famous journalists will take part.

In this view, special attention will be dedicated to the future of new generations, with a series of festivals, renowned awards (as the “Vespucci”) and contests in different fields dedicated to young people.

But Tuscany Feast is also culture and fun! More than 700 events are scheduled, such as photographic and painting exhibitions, books and DVDs presentations, live concerts, dance performances and festivals of cinema, historical parades, prestigious palaces open to visitors… and much more!

An all-accomplished cultural proposal, conceived in order to involve everybody in a event that, even if in a joyful atmosphere, looks at past to learn how to build a better future for humanity.

The events of Tuscany Feast begin already on November 25th and they continue in the following days; the main location is the “capital” Florence, but many shows are also on display in the cities of Versilia (Pisa, Lucca, Massa, Camaiore…), in Siena, Arezzo, Grosseto, Prato, Pistoia…and in all the little towns and villages of Tuscany.

The whole calendar is available on the official website of the Region, whereas for all the information about the most interesting cities and events in Tuscany, you can visit www.aboutflorence.com and www.aboutversilia.com

It’s an innovative and alternative art exhibition, which displays a series of works inspired by the same subject: the picture of a human face, selected by the organization team through a photographic contest. Starting from this common matrix, each one of the participants produced a unique creation, a personal work of art, resulting from his own techniques, inspirations and emotions.

From artist to artist, also the language used can change, and the possibilities are as many as the number of sections in which the exhibition is divided into: Sculpture, Painting, Computer Art, Comics, Video, Tales, Poetry.

Finally, a global message - that is at the same time the founding idea of the project, comes out: each artist sees and conceives the world in a personal way, that’s why what he creates is the mirror of his soul.

Last year The House of Mirrors, born from an idea of the young Italian artist Luca Batoni, took place completely on-line. The success was so great that in 2009 the festival happens “live” in Pisa, at Stazione Leopolda (recently restored), where visitors can not only look but also create their personal works of art. In addition, we remind you that also many live concerts and collateral events dedicated to the children are scheduled.

And the entrance is free!

For those who will not have the chance to come to the famous city of Versilia, a virtual gallery with all the works exhibited will be available on the official website.

Whereas, for anyone who wish to have more information about Pisa, the other cities in Versilia, and the next events on the calendar, please visit www.aboutversilia.com.

Well, if your answer is “no”, then we’ll suggest you something unique to do.

This weekend in fact, on Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th September 2009, there will be a fully cultural event: as usual, also this year all the European countries will celebrate the European Heritage Days, which were conceived in 1991 by the European Council in order to encourage and promote the cultural dialogue and exchange between European countries.

As every year, MiBAC participates in the event with the slogan “Italy, the treasure of Europe” and organizes throughout Italy several initiatives intended to increase the value of Italian culture and heritage, with the aim to share all this great richness with other European countries.

In fact, throughout the country, many events and activities will take place in order to increase the national heritage value: over 1000 sites will be open to the public with free entrance, extraordinary openings, art exhibitions, concerts, shows and guided tours in the main places representing Italian culture, which include archaeological sites, museums, monuments, theatres, national galleries, in other words, the archaeological, artistic, historical, architectonical, musical, theatrical and archives’ Italian heritage.

On the occasion of the edition 2009, there are thousands booklets distributed throughout Italy which will remind visitors the great programme rich of events, initiatives and extraordinary openings which will take place in many Italian cities. We remind you a few:

If you are in the neighborhoods of Milan, you could visit the Sforza Castle, or the Art Gallery of Brera, where on the occasion of its bicentenary, the famous “The marriage of the Virgin” by Raffaello will be put on display again, after one-year restoration.

In Genoa (Liguria), you will have the chance to marvel at the Royal Palace, in Palermo (Sicily) you will nose around in the State Archive, and in Turin you will have the opportunity to go for a walk in the botanic garden. In addition, in the province of Turin, in Castellamonte, visitors will have the chance to take part to the review “Paths of ceramics” through guided itineraries in the city.

In addition, we remind you that the New Antiquarium of Ostia Antica (province of Rome) will show to public small bronze and bone tools in order to illustrate unknown aspects of daily life during the age of ancient Rome.

And if you are in the neighborhoods of Venice, in the park of Villa Pisani in Stra, you will find an original guided tour called “Sapor di forte agrume” (“Strong taste of Citrus fruit”), which as I was just saying, will guide you in an itinerary of the citrus fruit-growing, made up of visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile sensations.

Finally, if you would rather prefer to spend a weekend abroad entirely dedicate to culture, then we remind you that in Budapest there’s the chance to visit the Salterio di Santa Elisabetta for free, whereas in Cracovia there will be an interesting exhibition dedicated to the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei.

So…What are you waiting for? Dedicate this weekend to culture and fun!

For further information about events and exhibitions in the main Italian cities, please visit our websites about Venice, Turin, Rome, Milan, Florence, Siena, the areas of Mugello and Versilia.