Giorgio Perlasca

Giorgio Perlasca was born on January 31th 1910. 

He was maybe the greatest imposter of all Italian history and he has to be honored for it. His Wikipedia profile explains why: 

During World War II, Perlasca worked at procuring supplies for the Italian Army in the Balkans. When the Nazis occupied Hungary, in 1944, instead of departing with other diplomatic staff (Italy had by then surrendered to the Allies) he escaped to the Spanish Embassy in Budapest, immediately becoming a Spanish citizen under the name Jorge Perlasca, due to his status as a veteran of the Spanish war. He worked with the Spanish Chargé d'Affaires, Ángel Sanz Briz, and other diplomats of neutral states in smuggling Jews out of the country. The system he devised consisted of furnishing 'protection cards' which placed Jews under the guardianship of various neutral states, and of creating 'protected houses in mansions governed by extraterrorial conventions and thereby guarantee asylum for persecuted Jews.

When Sanz Briz was removed from Hungary to Switzerland in November 1944, he invited Perlasca to join him in safety. However Perlasca chose to stay on. The Hungarian government ordered the Spanish Embassy building and the extra-territorial houses where the Jews took refuge cleared out. Perlasca immediately gave the false announcement that Sanz Briz was due to return from a short leave, and that he had been appointed a substitute.

Throughout the winter, Perlasca was active in hiding, shielding and feeding thousands of Jews in Budapest, and to issue them with safe conduct passes on the basis of a Spanish law passed in 1924 that grants citizenship to Jews of Sephardi origin.

In December 1944, Perlasca audaciously rescued two boys from being herded onto a freight train in defiance of a German lieutenant colonel on the scene. Swedish diplomat/rescuer Raoul Wallenberg, also present, later informed Perlasca that the officer who had challenged him was none other than Adolf Eichmann. In a period of some 45 days, from December the Ist 1944 to the 16 of January 1945, he saved thousands of Jews by his own initiative.

After the war, Perlasca returned to Italy, and didn't reveal his actions to anyone, including his family, until he was found again in 1987 by a group of Hungarian Jews. A best-selling narrative of his remarkable single-handed valour was written by Enrico Deaglio, entitled, the 'Banality of Goodness'[1], and was turned into a film by the RAI national television corporation.

Giorgio Perlasca died of a heart attack in 1992, having received decorations from the Italian, Hungarian and Spanish governments and is considered by Israel as one of the Righteous Among the Nations. His deeds were the subject of an Italian film, Perlasca, un eroe italiano.

Unique handicrafts from Italy: the Vancali in Tiriolo

Artistic handicrafts have ancient roots in Calabria, and production includes shawls, wool rugs, tapestry and oriental inspired wall hangings. These products vary from place to place, but embroidery and the textiles used to make the so called "vancali" in Tiriolo, a small village on the slopes of Sila Piccola, are particularly famous.

If you can read Italian, a simple search for "vancali" on Google will reveal many sites describing the vancali. If you can't, you may visit Sylvie's Story: Italy part 2 for a few photos and informations.

Need to know if you will marry soon?

If any lady wishes to know for sure if she will get married by the end of the year, she has just to visit S. Costanzo's church in Perugia and look at his portrait. If she can see the Saint to wink at her amidst the light reflections over the painting, then she will marry. Otherwise, she can search comfort in the local sweetcake, the Torcolo of S. Costanzo.

S. Costanzo was the first Bishop of Perugia and he was martyr under Marco Aurelio in the II century a.C.. According to the common lore he was author of several miracles.

Saint of the day: Thomas Aquinas

Probably the most influential Middle Age scholar he melted Aristotle and Greek culture with Christianity.

Son of the Count of Aquino, born in the family castle in Lombardy near Naples, Italy. Educated by Benedictine monks at Monte Cassino, and at the University of Naples. He secretly joined the mendicant Dominican friars in 1244. His family kidnapped and imprisoned him for a year to keep him out of sight, and deprogram him, but they failed to sway him, and he rejoined his order in 1245.

He studied in Paris, France from 1245 to 1248 under Saint Albert the Great, then accompanied Albertus to Cologne, Germany. Ordained in 1250, then returned to Paris to teach. Taught theology at University of Paris. He wrote defenses of the mendicant orders, commentaries on Aristotle and Lombard’s Sentences, and some bible-related works, usually by dictating to secretaries. He won his doctorate, and taught in several Italian cities. Recalled by king and university to Paris in 1269, then recalled to Naples in 1272 where he was appointed regent of studies while working on the Summa Theologica.

On 6 December 1273 he experienced a divine revelation which so enraptured him that he abandoned the Summa, saying that it and his other writing were so much straw in the wind compared to the reality of the divine glory. He died four months later while en route to the Council of Lyons, overweight and with his health broken by overwork.

His works have been seminal to the thinking of the Church ever since. They systematized her great thoughts and teaching, and combined Greek wisdom and scholarship methods with the truth of Christianity. Pope Leo VIII commanded that his teachings be studied by all theology students. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1567.

(From saints.sqpn.com where you can find a lot more about Thomas Aquinas.)

Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus

Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus became Emperor of Rome today in 98 a.C..

He was one of the most prominent Roman Emperors and brought Roman Empire to its greatest extent.

To know more about Traianus:

• Wikipedia's entry
• His statue in Rome
• Another biography
• Interesting video about Trajan Forum and Market

The Patron Saint of the day: S. Anthony Abbot

St. Anthony Abbot was born near Eracleopolis in Aegypt on 251 a.C. and died at Mount Colzim on 356.

He is very popular in Italy. In fact he is the Patron Saint of no less than 45 towns. That accounts for about the 0.5% of Italian towns. Not bad for a single saint who never even saw Italy from far away. Here is the list just in case you are curious:

• Abruzzo: Bagno, Ofena, Fara Filiorum Petri, Gessopalena, Loreto Aprutino, Ortona, Ortona de' Marsi, Ovindoli, Pescara, Pescocostanzo, Pizzoli), San Benedetto dei Marsi, San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore, San Vito Chietino), Scanno, Secinaro, Villa Santa Maria, Villavallelonga
• Basilicata: Trivigno
• Friuli-Venezia-Giulia: Bordano, Sedegnano, Tavagnacco, Pravisdomini
• Lombardia: Casto, Magasa, Casnate con Bernate, S. Fedele d'Intelvi, Veleso, Veniano, Crandola Valsassina, Introbio, Introzzo, Parlasco, Valmadrera
• Puglia: Rocchetta Sant'Antonio, Novoli
• Sardegna: Ampurias, Castelsardo, Desulo, Fluminimaggiore, Silanus, Torralba, Tuili
• Sicilia: Aci S. Antonio - Sicilia
• Valle d'Aosta: Valtournanche
  

And a short profile too:

Following the death of his parents when he was about 20, Anthony insured that his sister completed her education, then he sold his house, furniture, and the land he owned, gave the proceeds to thepoor, joined the anchorites who lived nearby, and moved into an empty sepulchre. At age 35 he moved to the desert to live alone; he lived 20 years in an abandoned fort.

Anthony barricaded the place for solitude, but admirers and would-be students broke in. He miraculously healedpeople, and agreed to be the spiritual counselor of others. His recommendation was to base life on the Gospel. Word spread, and so many disciples arrived that Anthony founded two monasteries on the Nile, one at Pispir, one at Arsinoe. Many of those who lived near him supported themselves by making baskets and brushes, and from that came his patronage of those trades.

Anthony briefly left his seclusion in 311, going to Alexandria, Egypt to fight Arianism, and to comfort the victims of the persecutions of Maximinus. At some point in his life, he met with his sister again. She, too, had withdrawn from the world, and directed a community of nuns. Anthony retired to the desert, living in a cave on Mount Colzim.

Descriptions paint him as uniformly modest and courteous. His example led many to take up the monastic life, and to follow his way. Late in life Anthony became a close friend of Saint Paul the Hermit, and he buried the agedanchorite, leading to his patronage of gravediggers. His biography was written by his friend Saint Athanasius of Alexandria.

His relationship with pigs and patronage of swineherds is a little complicated. Skin diseases were sometimes treated with applications of pork fat, which reduced inflammation and itching. As Anthony’s intervention aided in the same conditions, he was shown in art accompanied by a pig. People who saw the art work, but did not have it explained, thought there was a direct connection between Anthony and pigs - and people who worked with swine took him as their patron.

[From saints.spqn.com]

Postcard from Ceresole Reale

Ceresole Reale is a very small town in the Piedmont Alps: just 158 citizens. But with breathtaking sights. Probably in the ancient times cherry trees covered the valley, hence its name: Ceresa means exactly cherry in the local language.

It was inhabited by Celts and Romans had a few mines here.

Currently it is part of the Gran Paradiso National Park.

Wonderful place to spend holidays.

(Thanks to Franco Ferrero for this photo)

Postcard from Castelpetroso

The Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Addolorata stands right over the Castelpetroso Pass. She is considered the Patron of the State of Molise. Tradition tells that the Virgin Mary appeared to two young shepherds, Serafina and Bibiana, on March the 22th of 1888. The construction of the sanctuary started on 1890, but it was concluded only on 1975. 

Many pilgrims visit the Sanctuary each year.

A few kilometers down in the valley travelling southbound you can find a second attractor for a very different kind of "pilgrimage". Delizie del Molise is a bakery right aside the road on the left. They sell a fragrant bread made with natural yeast and with the addition of boiled potatoes, following the ancient local recipe. It is a fantastic bread which deserves a stop just to taste it. 

Postcard from Maniago

The small and elegant church of S. Mauro is the Duomo of Maniago in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia near Pordenone. The D'Attimis Palace and the ruins of the Castle are worth a visit too.

Maniago is very famous for his high quality knives, exported all over the world. It is a centuries old tradition, whose best results are showcased at the fascinating Knives Museum. You may spend hours inside there! Knives for historical movies are very often crafted in Maniago.

You can taste very good wine by the glass almost everywhere in Maniago... and you really should!

Postcard from Sauris

Sauris is a small touristic town in the Italian Alps (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia). Wonderful place and even better food: the Sauris smoked ham of Prosciuttificio Wolf is a delicacy renowned in all the world. 

Postcard from Sarsina

This is the main square of Sarsina, a small town on the mountains of Emilia-Romagna in Italy.

Sarsina is famous because Titus Maccius Plautus, the most important Latin playwriter, was born there. Every Summer there is an important theater festival.

You can visit also a small but delicious Roman museum and admire Lucio Cangini's modern artwork  in a few spots of the town.

Last but not least there is the Cathedral of St. Vicinio (in the pic on the left). Built in 997 A.C., it is one of the very few places authorized to hold exorcisms by the Catholic Church of Rome.

The Legend of Sisinnio

What I love the most in S. Clemente’s Basilica is the fresco about the legend of Sisinnio, otherwise known as the Second Miracle of S. Clemente. It dates back to XI century and you can admire it in the Lower Basilica. You already checked its floorplans here, did you?

It is not something that you would expect to find inside a church: its style is very dynamic and naive... funny, I may dare to say.

You can think about it like some educational comic book. This is quite an important point to remember when you visit ancient churches. Their paintings were not much intended to celebrate the Glory of God as much to teach to simple and ignorant people unable to read. To use modern language: common people were artist’s target not the local aristocracy or God Himself.

The story: we are at the end of the I century A.C. and Sisinnio was a praefectus in Rome, a civil official. Secretly S. Clemente managed to convert his wife Teodora to Christianity. Not only: the saint persuaded her into a chastity vow. You may imagine that Sisinnio could not explain it and he was not very happy about it! What would have you thought being in his shoes? He resolved to follow her with a few servants to surprise her with his lover. Imagine his shock when Teodora entered the underground catacombs and she finally reached the big hall where S. Clemente celebrated the Mass with many faithfuls. Sisinnio was furious. He ordered his servants to tie S. Clemente and to drag him to jail. But the Good Lord did not allow it and he made all of them blind instantly. So they got confused and tied a column instead of the Saint. Imagine again their frustration while they try to move “S. Clemente” away. This is the lowest of three scenes portrayed by the artist. If you observe it you can distinctly see Sisinnio shouting: “Traite, fili de puta”. Any Italian could easily understand it for “Pull, sons of a bitch!” 1,000 years later. Another one incites his fellows: “Albertel, trae” (“Pull, Little Albert”). A third one advise: “Carvoncel, falite dereto colo palo” (“Carboncel, leverage behind him with the pole”). It is worthwhile to notice that the dialogue could have been written by a Hollywood writer: the “bad guys” are dumb and speak the “vulgar” language typical of ignorant people at those times. The “hero” speaks a perfect and learned Latin: “Duritiam cordis vestri saxa trahere meruisti” (“You deserved to drag stones due to the unsensitivity of your hearts”).

I can’t help to smile thinking that the first evidence of Italian language is a “sons of a bitch” painted by an artist inside a church. I think it says a lot about Italy...

To be honest erudites state that the first Italian sentence is “Sao ke kelle terre pe kelli fini trenta anni li possette parte Sancti Benedicti”. It is the declaration of a witness during a trial in 960 AC. He declares that the Monastery of St. Benedict had been owning a certain land for 30 years. Reality is that you can’t tell 100% which one came first. I guess that erudites feel more comfortable talking about lawyers instead of sons of bitch at workshops...

You can find an acceptable photo of the fresco here.

Should I suggest a single spot to visit in Italy...

Should I suggest one single spot to visit in Italy, I’d say the Basilica of S. Clemente in Rome. No doubt. 

So it seems just fair to me to start my blog from there. 

The Basilica shows you the very essence of Rome and, by some extent, of Italy too. We spend our daily lifes surrounded by an environment made of infinite material and cultural layers, deeply blended together, each one of them reminding or teaching us a lesson. Nothing is ever cancelled in Rome. Everything is added in a continuous process of death and rebirth. The Basilica of S. Clemente is the perfect and most fascinating example of it. Its visit is a time travel through Rome’s history and deep in its womb. 

You start at ground level, in the proximity of Coliseum, visiting a magnificent church rich with artwork since 12th to 17th century: mosaics, choir, the wonderful fresco of Masolino. 

But when you reach its right wing, a few steps underground and you are suddenly in the 4th century A.C.. The Basilica has been built over a previous incarnation, destroyed by the Normans leaded by Robert Guiscard in 1084 A.C.. 

After visiting the Lower Basilica, a few more steps down and you discover that it is just another reincarnation: it took the place of the ancient Roman titulus, where the early Christians celebrated their first Masses. But they were not the first ones to worship their divinity here: a few more yards and you are introduced to the temple of the dead oriental god Mithra. 

Again, Mithra was not the first god to inhabit this holy place. We lost the name of the older one, but we can still hear her angry voice, mumbling her disdain for the outrage of being stifled in a narrow conduit to let the tourists roam safely. It is the voice of the Nymph inhabiting the little stream which still runs nowadays between the walls of the Roman mansion. The ancient small waterfall is no longer there, but the flow is still strong. 

Yet the Basilica showcases not only how gods came to Rome to die and leave their holy places to younger and stronger ones. Here you can find also the very first historical evidence of the death of Latin language and its rebirth in the new “vulgar” Italian. It is a fresco in the Lower Basilica and you will learn that the first italian sentence was: “Pull, sons of a bitch!”

There are so many fascinating stories about S. Clemente. They deserve many posts, which will come soon. 

Meanwhile, I hope that I made you curious enough to follow these links and learn something more about the Basilica: http://www.basilicasanclemente.com/, http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-san-clemente.htm.

Let's start!

What’s Tweetaly?

I have been so lucky to be born in Rome, one of the most wonderful cities in the world.

And I have been so lucky to work all around italian mountains for several years (I still do).

With about 3,000 years of heritage, enogastronomy and art all around you in a still beautiful environment, you have a lot to learn when you travel if you are curious.

And I am very curious...

Now it is time to share what I learned, blending together my passion for Italy with my curiosity about social media.

I consider Tweetaly both a professional experiment and a hobby at this moment.

Time will tell what it will grow into.

Meanwhile, follow me daily on Twitter or read this blog.

You’ll find tips, stories, links, reviews... whatever surfaces on my stream of consciousness about the places I visited. 

I hope that it will stimulate you to visit Italy or to taste its marvelous goodies. But I’d be happy enough just to provide a few minutes of relax every day.

So... let’s start!

P.S. “Tweetaly” stands for “Tweet” + “Italy”. But I guess that you figured it out by yourself already :-)

Disclaimer: my English is good enough, but far from perfect. I know it. So please forgive the occasional mistakes in the name of my passion to share my discoveries about Italy with everybody. I know also that my construction of the sentence  is not alike the one an American or English would choose. That's intended.  My purpose is to try to express my own italian culture through a different language. The Italian way of thinking is different from the Anglosaxon one. I think it is important to attempt to show that difference. Even if it may sound weird or funny at times :-)