Lapidario Scaligero / Della Scala Inscriptions

Dear Friends
in my last visit in Verona I remarked, in the great court of Castelvecchio, the collection of inscriptions of the Lapidario Scaligero. The following images will provide you with information about said inscriptions. What I find sad is that inscriptions for perpetuating memorable events of the past of Verona are now difficult to be deciphered and understood.
Salutations
Giancarlo

Lapidario Scaligero

Presentation of the Lapidario Scaligero

Inscription celebrating the consacration of the Holy Cross Church in 1060 by the Bischop Teopoldo - 616

Inscription celebrating the edifications of the priest Ambrosio in 1443 (from Porcile di San Michele della Strà) - 644

Inscription celebrating the edification of the fortifications in Peschiera by Cangrande della Scala on 1327 (from Museo Maffeiano) - 729

Inscription celebrating a donation of master Daniele "penzarolo", 1392 (from S. Eufemia Church) - 747

Inscription in memory of the killing of the presumed Bartolomeo della Scala, end 16th - begin 17th century A.D. (from Museo Maffeiano) - 575

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Dry Deserts, Bright Stars and the European Observatories in Chile

Dear Friends
the lecture of yesterday evening: Dry Deserts, Bright Stars and the European Observatories in Chile by F. Comeron, ESO, sponsored among other also by our M.Polo Club, was well attended and successful. The lecture illustrated the present achievements of ESO (astronomical observations at La Silla and Paranal) and the ESO big effort involved in the completion of future projects (ALMA, APEX, E-ELT). I found of interest the reply of Mr. Comeron to the question: Which is the motivation for such a big ESO effort. Apparently there are at least two motivations. A prosaic one: the hightech industries of the ESO contracting states push the governements for the financing of said projects, and a scientific one: the study of the universe will provide us still with foundamental knowledge. The following images provide you with an impression of the atmosphere of the lecture.
Salutations
Giancarlo

The Cathedrals of the Kremlin in Moscow (RU)

Dear Friends
the Kremlin in Moscow, in its actual aspect, was built by initiative of Ivan III the Great (1462-1505). What I ignored is that Ivan invited, a tradition maintained later by Peter the Great for Saint Petersburg, to take part in the works also Italian master architects as A. Fioravanti, P.A. Solari, M. Ruffo and A. da Caresana. Some of the cathedrals, arranged around the Cathedrals' place inside the Kremlin, are also works of Italian architects. The S. Michel Cathedral (Arhangel'skij Sobor) is a master work of the Venetian architect A. Lamberti from Montagnana (Vicenza - IT). The Bell Tower of Ivan the Great (Kolokol'nija Ivana Velikovo) is a master work of the Marco Bono (Bon Frjanz). The Assumption Cathedral (Uspenskij Sobor) is a master work of A. Fioravanti. The Diamond Palace (Granovitaja Palata) on a side of the place, similar to the Diamond Palaces in Ferrara (IT) and Verona (IT), is a master work of M. Ruffo and P. A. Solari. The images give you an idea of the architectural characteristics of the Kremlin's cathedrals.
Salutations
Giancarlo

Spaso-Andronicov Monastery - Moscow (Russia)

Dear Friends

I thank very much Galja for the visit of the Spaso-Andronicov monastery in Moscow. The monastery has the typical structure of a fortress and is important because Andrei Rublëv, the famous frescos and icons painter, resided here in the last part of his life. The monastery hosts the Andrei Rublëv Museum which preserves frescoes and icons of this artist as well as of other artists of his school and other schools (Novgorod, Pskow). The images reveal the deep religious atmosphere of the monastery and the museum. More info about the Spaso-Andronicov monastery at:

http://www.moscow.info/orthodox-moscow/andronikov-monastery.aspx 

Salutations

Giancarlo

Menscen und Dinge

Dear Friends
if you have time don't miss the occasion to visit the exhibition Menschen und Dinge at the Archäologische Staatssamlung (http://www.archaeologie-bayern.de/_en/index.html) in Munich. The exhibition, opened for celebrating the 125 year of activity of the Archäologische Staatsammlung, presents the best oriental, celtic and roman ancient objects coming from different museums of Bavaria.
Salutations
Giancarlo

Napoleon in Munich

Dear Friends
last Sunday, Jean-Luc and me visited the exhibition Napoleon in Europa, Traum und Trauma at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn (DE). The exhibition is well prepared and through the objects and the paintings exposed it is possible to gain an impression of the powerful military, political and social activity of Napoleon and of the scientific achievement during his epoque. Of interest the following picture by Jean-Luc of the entrance of Napoleon in Munich through the door of Stachus.
Salutations
Giancarlo

Goldenes Zeitalter

Dear Friends

here are some images of the exhibition Goldenes Zeitalter at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. Except for the second image which shows the committee of the association (Guild) of the wine merchants, the other images show the members of two "schutzen" associations of Amsterdam. At the beginning the schutzen associations were groups of soldiers, one for each quartal of Amsterdam. After, they evolved in conservative associations of rich mechenats and philantropists protectors of the religious and cultural traditions. Many of the chiefs of the shutzen associations were also burgomasters of Amsterdam. Of particular interest in the paintings are the expressive countenance of the people.

Salutations

Giancarlo