Restoration of Palermo’s Palatine Chapel Mosaics to Begin
Restoration work on the mosaics in Palermo’s Palatine Chapel is about to start, with completion expected in a year.
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Tag: culture
State Finalises Acquisition of Villa Verdi
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli confirmed on Monday that the government has signed the decree enabling the State to complete the acquisition of Villa Verdi in Sant’Agata, near Piacenza.
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Pompeii’s Last Day: New Study Revisits the Date of Vesuvius’ Eruption
The catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which buried Pompeii and Herculaneum, has long been a source of historical intrigue. Traditionally dated to 24 August based on the writings of Pliny the Younger, this timeline has been questioned over the years, with some scholars proposing a later autumn date.
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On this day in history: death of playwright Luigi Pirandello
Luigi Pirandello (1867–1936), who died on 10 December 1936, remains one of Italy’s most celebrated literary figures, renowned for his innovative plays, poignant poetry, and compelling novels.
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A ‘Discovery’ of Dante documents sparks debate
On Sunday, 8th December, Italian media buzzed with headlines proclaiming an “extraordinary discovery” at La Spezia’s State Archive. Reports suggested the uncovering of rare Dante documents, including “two pages from the first edition of the Divine Comedy” and the original Pax Dantis.
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The Feast of the Immaculate Conception in Italy
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on 8 December, is a significant public holiday across Italy. This Catholic feast honours the Virgin Mary’s immaculate conception, meaning her freedom from original sin from the moment of her creation.
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Manual Bell Ringing Joins UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Italy’s centuries-old tradition of manual bell ringing has been recognised as an invaluable cultural treasure. UNESCO inscribed the practice onto its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during its 19th session in 2024.
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The Vasari Corridor in Florence to Reopen
The Vasari Corridor, which links the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti is to reopen to the public on 21 December following an extensive restoration. The reopening marks the end of an 11-million-euro renovation project, initiated in 2022. The 700-metre stretch from the Uffizi to Boboli Gardens is the section available to the public.
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A glimpse at the Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel, located within the Vatican City, is one of the most significant cultural and religious landmarks in the world. Its importance lies not only in its function as a papal chapel but also in its artistic achievements, particularly the ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo.
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Dalí features in exhibition of art seized from mafia
More than 80 pieces of art seized from criminal organisations, including pieces by Andy Warhol and Salvador Dalí, are now on display at Palazzo Reale in Milan.
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