Oratory of San Michele

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Oratory of San Michele
Riviera Tiso da Camposampiero
Padua, May 2025

“The San Michele Oratory or Oratory of San Michele (Italian: Oratorio di San Michele) is an oratory chapel in Padova, Italy. The interior is painted with a cycle of frescoes on the life of the Virgin Mary by Jacopo da Verona. It first arose near the Torlonga del Castello Carrarese, outside the ancient Roman walls of the city. It was built in 1397 over the ruins of the Santi Arcangeli church, which had been renamed San Michele by the Lombards, who proclaimed Michael the Archangel "patron of Italy" after their victory over the Byzantine Empire[1] The earlier church had been damaged in 1390 by a fire triggered by clashes between the Carraresi and Visconti during Francesco Novello da Carrara's siege of the city. After the city's fall, the Bovi family decided to build a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, opening a gap in the north side of the old church's nave.” (San Michele Oratory, Wikipedia)

Casa de los Deanes

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Casa de los Deanes (Museo de Ávila)
Plaza Nalvillos
Ávila, September 2025

“The Ávila Museum, located in the Casa de los Deanes, is a cultural space in the city of Ávila, Spain. Its origins as a centuries-old museum date back to 1911. Since 1987, it has been managed by the Regional Government of Castilla y León. Its collection includes works of archaeology and fine arts, as well as an extensive ethnological catalogue of the area. It is owned by the State through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. The first institution that preceded the Museum of Ávila was created as an ‘Honorary Museum’ by the Monuments Commission of the province of Ávila and inaugurated in 1911 in the building of the ‘Teresianos Library and Museum’, as the repository of the province's Historical and Artistic Heritage. It later passed through other locations in the Alcázar, the Arch of San Vicente, the cloister of the Cathedral, and the Chapel of Las Nieves (with periods of storage in various municipal warehouses). Finally, in 1968, it was institutionalized as a Provincial Museum, ‘with its own exhibits, building, budget, and staff, linked to the Ministry of Education, and later to Culture.’ It reopened in 1971. In 1986, it was remodeled as the Ávila Museum, and a year later, it was managed by the Regional Government of Castile and León. Since 1969 the museum has been located in the Casa de los Deanes, extending its collection in 1998 to the Almacén Visitable de Santo Tomé, in the historic space of the Plaza de Nalvillos in the capital of Avila. The Casa de los Deanes building was declared a Site of Cultural Interest, with the category of monument, on October 1, 1962.” (Museo de Ávila, Wikipedia)

Palazzo degli Affari

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Palazzo degli Affari by Pierluigi Spadolini, 1974
Piazza Adua
Florence, January 2025

“The Palazzo degli Affari is located in Piazza Adua in Florence, next to the Santa Maria Novella station. The Palazzo degli Affari was designed by architect Pierluigi Spadolini and is used for conferences. Inaugurated in 1974, it is a modern 4,000 m² structure with a total capacity of 1,800 people. It hosts conferences and exhibitions, poster sessions, press rooms, high fashion shows, as well as business lunches and gala dinners. From the attic of the building you can admire the panorama of Florence and the large centuries-old park that connects the structure of the Congress Palace.” (Palazzo degli Affari, Wikipedia)

Gianni Versace Retrospective

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Gianni Versace Retrospective
Centro Cultural Fundación Unicaja
Plaza del Obispo
Málaga, March 2025

“Gianni Versace's flamboyant style is now on display in Málaga! The Centro Cultural Fundación Unicaja is home to the impressive Gianni Versace Retrospective exhibition, which brings together 120 looks and some 400 original pieces. From designs for superstars like Elton John, Prince and Kate Moss to the revolutionary metallic mesh dresses and baroque prints that defined 90s fashion. The exhibition takes you into Versace's world: a journey through opulent baroque, minimalism, punk and the supermodel revolution. You will discover how his extravagant style introduced a new kind of luxury, worn by the nouveau riche and icons like Lady Di. The influence of his Italian roots is evident, from classical Greek influences to the iconic Marilyn Monroe dress inspired by Warhol.” (Versace in Málaga, Second Home Andalusia)

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

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Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
Viale dei Colli
Verona, May 2025

“Situated atop Belvedere Hill in Verona, there stands a truly enchanting sanctuary that commands a breathtaking view of the city. This sanctuary, known as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, is a place of devotion for pilgrims and a serene meeting spot for those seeking solace amidst its tranquil surroundings. Originally constructed in 1908, the Sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna of Lourdes fell victim to the ravages of the Second World War bombings. Remarkably, the only surviving relic was the statue of the Immaculate, a splendid piece of art crafted by the sculptor Ugo Zannoni. This marble statue, perched high above, earned universal acclaim as one of the most cherished masterpieces of Veronese art, owing to its exquisite beauty and profound religious significance. Following the demolition of the central caponiera, a truncated conical dome was added to crown the Sanctuary. Within the church's interior, a spacious window provides a clear view of the Immaculate statue. In June 1964, the newly inaugurated temple underwent a complete transformation, giving it a modern and eclectic architectural style that now graces the cityscape, commanding attention from the hilltop. Distinctive in its round form, the Sanctuary of Lourdes in Verona harmonizes gracefully with the surrounding fortifications, a unique sight in the world. The Sanctuary of Lourdes in Verona houses a multitude of invaluable art treasures. Among them are the fifteen bas-reliefs depicting the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, skillfully crafted by sculptor Vittorio Conte di Colbertaldo. The interior of the Sanctuary is adorned with precious canvases created by Professor Aronne Del Vecchio. Additionally, the crypt shelters a fifteenth-century fresco of the Madonna with Child, attributed to the school of Altichiero da Zevio, further enhancing the sanctity and cultural significance of this remarkable place.” (Santuario della Madonna di Lourdes, GPSmyCity)

Museo Geominero

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Museo Geominero
Calle de Ríos Rosas, Chamberí
Madrid, September 2025

“The Museo Geominero (Geomineral Museum) is a geology museum displaying minerals and fossils from Spain and its former colonies. It is located inside the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España building in Madrid, Spain. The museum has its roots in the collection of the 'Comisión para formar la Carta geológica de Madrid y la general del Reino' (Commission to form the geographical letter of Madrid and the kingdom), which was created by Isabella II in 1849. The collection has been housed in its current location since 1927, and was conceived of by Spanish mining engineer D. Primitivo Hernández Sampelayo. It has been known as the Museo geominero since 1989. The museum is located in the headquarters of the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain. The building was designed by Spanish architect Francisco Javier de Luque, and built between 1921 and 1925. The contents of the museum are displayed in 250 showcases on the ground floor of the building and three perimeter balconies.” (Museo Geominero, Wikipedia)

Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi

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Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi by Ettore Ferrari, 1887
Piazza Castello
Vicenza, May 2025

“The monument to Garibaldi is a sculpture located in Piazza del Castello in Vicenza and is the work of the sculptor Ettore Ferrari. It was inaugurated on 21 August 1887 (27th anniversary of Garibaldi's entry into Reggio Calabria). The monument's inauguration took place in pouring rain. The day's program included: the inauguration of the monument at 10:00 a.m., a musical concert at the Teatro Olimpico at 1:00 p.m., a social banquet at 4:00 p.m., a torchlight procession in the evening (which was cancelled due to bad weather), and a gala performance of the opera-ballet ‘L'Africana’ at 9:00 p.m. at the Teatro Comunale. Sculptor Ettore Ferrari himself was present that day, praising Vicenza for its patriotism, similar to that of his native Rome. Among those present were Garibaldi's followers from Vicenza and the surrounding province.” (Monumento a Garibaldi, Wikipedia)