What's there to do in the days to come?

What to do? What to do? What to do?...More......

Don't forget the Palio of Legnano and the food activities, mentioned earlier. Not up your alley? Here are just a few more ideas to keep your soul (and the souls of your children) fed and satisfied with enriching and beautiful activities:

CODEX, Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, Piazza Pio XI, 2 (a stone's throw from the Duomo), until June 30, 2013
Precious illuminations of the Bible by Chagall.
Hours and times (the site gives you the possibility to ask for an English version...but it's not working....)

SILOGRAFIE..., an exhibit of the gorgeous prints from Italian magazines of the end of the 19th century, Castello Sforzesco, until May 26
The official web site doesn't have any info about the exhibit, but--wonder of wonders!--there is a working English version of the general info, at least.

GIRO IN GIRO..., a exploration of form and figure from early modern art to today at the Garage Milano, via A. Maiocchi, 5/7, until May 26
Yet, again, another website without an English version.

'80 years of archives at the Triennale,' Viale Alemagna, 6 (Parco Sempione), until May 26
The Triennale, constructed during the years of The Consensus to highlight Italian design, lets us glimpse into its historic archives. The website in English, as often happens, gives only permanent information, but it's better than nothing if you need to find out something about hours. (May I say how much I really HATE black background websites? It's not 'cool,' folks, it's just DEPRESSING and HARD TO READ. Thank you for your kind attention, we now return you to the regular programming.)

BAG, an exploration of contemporary Italian artists, Art Gallery of the Bocconi University, via Sarfatti 25, until May 31
The "art events" page turns up blank...sigh...but at least they do have an international version (mistakes in English, aside...another sigh....) with a helpful page about how to get there.

Expo Days, all over town, until June 2
Finally, the 2015 Expo is visibly starting to grind to a slow roll with activities planned until the beginning of June.
One good point? A web site in English; here's the activity page for Expo Days.

The Tre Crocefissi (Three Crosses) of Foppa, an important Lombard artist open to the most popular currents of the Renaissance, Museo Diocesano, Corso di Porta Ticinese, 95, until June 2
Easily reached using any of the public transportation lines that run down the corso, this wonderful museum that often has very good temporary exhibits delights us, again, this time with an object borrowed from the Carrera Museum in Bergamo, temporarily closed for restoration.
Info times on the very reduced (but at least present) page in English. Try the "Milan is Tourism" English language website, instead.

Desire for Freedom, art after 1945 in Europe, Palazzo Reale, Piazza del Duomo, until June 2
The web site in English for the exhibit will give you all the info you need. The "iconic" image chosen looks pretty creepy to me, but at least it's intriguing. (May I say, again, how much I really HATE black web site backgrounds? Thank you for listening, again, I'll get off my soapbox, now.)

Oro di Wagner (Wagner's gold), Spazio Oberdan, Piazza Oberdan, until 23 June
Like lyric opera? The always interesting Spazio Oberdan offers a series of films (in Italian and probably in German with subtitles, I'm guessing) and encounters (in Italian, I'm guessing) about Wagner. Website...sigh...in Italian.

There, that ought to keep you busy for a few days!

Enjoy!

P.S., I snapped this photo on the 6th of October, 2012 at about 2 P.M.

Sunday...what to do?! Living history at Morimondo, of course!

Just outside Milan is a lovely church and monastic compound in the town called Morimondo.

Today, you can go there for a bit of fun living history! Got kids? Perfect! Take 'em along. Spark in them the love for learning and history, as something vibrant for The Now.

It will be one of the best inheritances that you could ever give them...More......

Founded by the Cistercian monks of St. Bernard in 1136, with its greatest period of splendor in the 13th and 14th centuries,the monks were of fundamental importance for the...



...reclaiming of marshy land as useful agricultural terrain.


The abbey began slipping into decadence in the early 15th century. In the mid 16th century, St. Charles Borromeo took away most of the vast land and great wealth it had accumulated (giving it all to the Ospedale Maggiore / "Principal Hospital" of Milan), and finally it was deconsecrated in 1799 during the winds of reform accompanying the young general, Napoleon Bonaparte. Monks returned in 1952.


And don't skip a visit to the lovely church dedicated to Mary. Begun in 1182, it was completed only by the end of the 13th century due to fighting with the local clergy (who saw their power and economic resources draining away from their own pockets and towards the monks).


The little porch (called a pronao) was added in 1736.

Here are the activities planned for Sunday, May 19, 2013:

10:30 A.M., Mass in the (little) Abbey

11:30 A.M., procession from the church to the fields for the blessing of the banners and the shooting off of the guns

3 P.M., behind the Abbey, "Hunting for the Knight", a game between the damsels and knights

6 P.M., the re-enactment of the Battle of Casorate

Traditional nibbles and sips, some based on medieval recipes, are available (one presumes, for purchase).

Because of the high traffic expected, today, the organizers suggest parking in the industrial area of Caselle, where a "navetta" (shuttle bus) will start going every half hour between Caselle and the compound at 2 P.M., with the last one from Morimondo to Caselle at 6:45 P.M.

Morimondo
Piazza Abbazia
Morimondo
tel. 02.9496.1919
fondazione@abbaziamorimondo.it
http://www.comune.morimondo.mi.it

Enjoy!

(P.S., I snapped these pictures on thye 28th of July, 2004.)

What to do?

A few ideas to lift your spirits, rest and relax...More......

--May 17-25, Milano Food Week, talks about food, wines and techniques, demonstrations, restaurant appointments and street food (at least this last is in English!) on an Italian-only (sigh) web site with a day-by-day list of activities. Look up a few of your favorite words (wine = vino!), and taste away.

--May 19, Per i corti e cortili, a day of food fun for all the family with visits to working farms complete with furry donkeys and honking geese for the kiddies (and maybe you, too) and 0 kilometer food fun. The site's only in Italian, but click on the itinerary ("14 percorsi") list for place names and addresses.

--May 20-2 June, Taste of Milan, if your a foodie, you're on a roll! (Sorry! Couldn't resist!), and, this time, the web site's also in English.

--May 26, the Palio of Legnano, heard of the famous horse race in the piazza at Siena?, well, there's a similar (costumed!) race in Legnano, a small city near Milan! There is a series of activities starting as early as May 17 that lead up to the Palio, so head to the web site to check out the whole schedule...alas and alack, only in Italian! Tickets for the uncovered observation field ("campo sportivo Giovanni Mari") are E. 10 for adults, E. 5 for kids. If you want to sit in the best seats, the most expensive seats are E. 70 a piece.

There, that ought to keep you busy, at least for a few days!

Enjoy!

(N.B., the photo is of food, but I snapped it at the Rho-Pero convention center a few months ago...just to be clear!)

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 12, no car day...walk to your mom's, it's Mother's Day in the USA

Sunday, from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M., if you don't qualify for an exemption (electric car, car-sharing, driving public transportation, disabled, etc.), you'll be on foot. (The next "no cars" day in Milan is June 9.)

Why not go see your mom?...It's Mother's Day in the U.S.A.

Enjoy!

Happy and sad: good prices on books in English, but The English Bookshop is closing down

Both sad and good news, everyone!

(RIASSUNTO IN ITALIANO: libri in inglese per adulti e per bambini a prezzi scontati; dal 13 maggio al 30 giugno al The English Bookshop, v. sotto)

The sad news is that Peter Panton’s English Bookshop, an “institution” in Milan, is going out of business…too many of us want e-books, now!

This leads us to the good news…great sales on books of all kinds for adults and kids!...More......

From the 13th of May to the 30th of June, there will be great prices to be had.

So, below you’ll find the info that you’ll need, if you’re going to go.

I already have my list of books. Let me know what you buy, O.K.? I’m curious!

Warmly, Star Meyer

(Just a reminder, I get no money for this information, nor any kickback of any kind…I’m just trying to send you info about English stuff that you might like and enjoy!)



THE ENGLISH BOOKSHOP - MILANO

TOTAL CLEARANCE book sale!
Up to 50% discount!
The sale starts at 15:30 on Monday, May 13th and ends June 30th.
See you there!

THE ENGLISH BOOKSHOP
Via L. Mascheroni, 12 - Corner of Via L. Ariosto (the address is on Mascheroni, but the entrance is on Ariosto!)
20145 Milano, Italy
MM CONCILIAZIONE
Tel. 024694468
http://www.englishbookshop.it/

Teaser

May Day! May Day!

The May Day celebrations will cross through downtown Milan, and public transportation service will be affected. Furthermore, the service also will be limited in time, so if you want to follow the parades, or just be out and about, here is some handy info to help you manage your day:...More......

Metro line 1: last train leaves anywhere from shortly before 7 P.M. to about 7:30 P.M. (depending on the point of departure and the destination)

Metro line 2: last train leaves anywhere from shortly before 7 P.M. to about 7:20 P.M. (depending on the point of departure and the destination)

Metro line 3: last train leaves anywhere from shortly before 7 P.M. to about 7:20 P.M. (depending on the point of departure and the destination)

Metro line 5: last train leaves anywhere from about 7:30 P.M. to about 7:45 P.M. (depending on the point of departure and the destination)

Beginning at 9 A.M. two parades will cross downtown in the morning:

(1) Departing from the Bastioni (ex-city walls) of Porta Venezia, it will go in Corso Porta Venezia, Piazza San Babila, Corso Matteotti, Piazza Meda, via Catena, Largo Mattioli, via Case Rotte and end in Piazza Scala.

(2) Departing from the Bastioni (ex-city walls) of Porta Venezia, it will go in Corso Porta Venezia, Piazza San Babila, Largo Toscanini, Corso Europa, Largo Bersaglieri, via Larga, and end in Piazza Santo Stefano.

Affected bus and tram lines: 1-9-12-15-23-27 e i bus 54-60-61-73-94.

Beginning at 2 P.M., another parade will cross downtown: departing from Piazza XXIV Maggio, it will continue in Porta Ticinese, Via De Amicis, Piazza Resistenza Partigiana, Via Cesare Correnti, Via Torino, Via Orefici, Piazza Cordusio, Via Broletto, Via Ponte Vetero, Via Mercato, Via Tivoli, Largo Greppi, Via Lanza, Piazza Castello, Viale Gadio, Via Legnano, Piazza Lega Lombarda, Piazzale Biancamano, Bastioni Porta Volta, Viale Crispi, Piazza XXV Aprile, Bastioni Porta Nuova, Piazza Principessa Clotilde, Via Galilei, Piazza San Giochimo, and end in Piazza della Liberazione.

Affected bus and tram lines: 1-3-4-9-12-14-16-27-33 e i bus 43-57-82-94.

Enjoy!

Springtime strikes in May

Strikes are not on my "happy news" list, but...More......

...better a word to the wise.

03 MAY
10 A.M. to 2 P.M., national strike of airline stewards and stewardesses involving the airlines Blue Panorama

14 MAY
24 hours, national strike involving Alitalia and the two Milanese airports, Malpensa and Linate
10 A.M. to 2 P.M., national strike involving EasyJet stewards and stewardesses

27 MAY
24 hours, strike involving the two Milanese airports, Malpensa and Linate

01-02 JUNE
24 hours, from 9 P.M. on the 1st of June 'til 9 P.M. on the 2nd of June, national train service (FS / Trenitalia)

Can hardly say "Enjoy!," can I?

Got kids who speak Italian? Summer's coming up!

Summer's around the corner.

What to do with the kids, once school lets out?

If they speak Italian, they might enjoy Milan's public sport centers' MICAMP for kids from 5 to 14.

Enjoy!

Happy 2766th Birthday, Rome!

The traditional date of the foundation of Rome was the 21st of April in 753 B.C., 2766 years ago....Happy Birthday, Rome, still one of the most fascinating cities in the world. (photo: March 18, 2013)

Can't make it to Rome? Milan has its very own ancient Roman history...More......

...it was the de facto capital of the western Roman empire from the late 3rd century until the early 5th, after all. Snippets of ancient Roman Milan are still scattered around town and in our museums. Hmmm, let's see how many I can remember off the top of my head.

First off, the very structure of the city of Milan is a mishmash of the earlier higgledy-piggledy city, begun around 388-386 B.C. by migrating Celts, the natural and man-made waterways and the square Roman plan (from the 1st century B.C./A.D.). Over a century had passed quietly from the founding of the Celtic city, then these Gallic Milanese made either one of their biggest mistakes, or their best decisions: they sided with other Gauls and Hannibal in the fight against the growing power of Rome. Everything began to hit the fan in 225 B.C., and was resolved only by Rome's final victory over the Gauls in 194 B.C. (not to mention Hannibal's being recalled to Carthage).

It took about 100 years before the Romans would trust the Milanese enough to grant it the status of a colony in 89 B.C. (Lex Pompeia) in recognition of the city's fealty (to the winning faction...) during the civil wars. From 58 to 52 B.C., the Milanese played their cards right, again, and offered Julius Caesar a safe haven at his back during the Gallic Wars, for which the Transpadana area was awarded municipium status in 52 B.C. by Julius, and the city of Milan in particular was rewarded with full status as a Roman city in 49 A.C. (Lex Roscia). In 42 B.C., the city was aggregated with the Transpadana area in Augustus' reform of the provinces, and was named capital city of the XI region in 15 B.C.


Things trundled along quite happily; the local Celts intermarried with the Romans, and developed their own version of a Roman identity. A great and readily available example under the portico of Corso Vittorio Emanuale at number 13 or 14 is "Sciór Carera," that is, "Mister Carera," the last name being a mangled version of the first word (carere, that is, to be without) in the Latin inscription accompanying this ancient Roman sculpture under which from time immemorial satirical comments were posted to the powers-that-be.

When Gauls began to press the western part of the empire, again, the de facto capital was moved to Milan in 286 A.D. by Massimiano. During this heyday period, Ambrose, elected bishop of Milan in 374 A.D. (the title of archbishop did not exist until about four centuries later), supported Orthodox against Arian Christianity, decisively influencing the entire history of the Judeo-Christian world until his death in 397 A.D.


The milleniums of Christian history are expressed in the churches he established in Milan, three principal ones of which are still standing (San Simpliciano [photo, August 14, 2004], San Nazaro and Sant'Ambrogio still have ancient bits, though less immediately visible in the latter). The capital of the western empire remained in Milan until 402 A.D., when--again under the pressure of Gallic invasions--Honorius moved the capital to the gorgeous city of Ravenna on the Adriatic (from whence it was easier to run away...), and Milan began a long period of ups and downs not definitively resolved until the late medieval period.

Like a wheel, Milan spins outward from the area now defined by Piazza Cordusio (perhaps the ancient Celtic center, and favored by the early medieval Lombards), Piazza del Duomo (perhaps the site of a Celtic temple that became the site for Christian churches today represented by the Duomo founded in the Late Gothic period) and Piazza San Sepolcro (the ancient Roman center over which was constructed a church that eventually was dedicated to the Crusades, San Sepolcro/Holy Sepulchre).

The first circle of ancient Roman walls, perhaps erected in the 1st century B.C. by Julius Caesar, or in the 1st century A.D. by his adopted son, Caesar Augustus, stretched from the Carrobbio to Piazza della Scala, a brisk 20-minute walk one from the other (following the course of the northeast-southwest ancient Roman cardo massimo: via Margherita, via Manzoni, via Cantù and via Nerino roughly extended by the modern via Torino).


A large public baths complex was erected (end of the 2nd century A.D.-beginning of the 3rd century A.D.). Recovered fragments can be glimpsed in the open area behind the little church of San Vito in Pasquirolo that gives onto corso Europa. (photo, August 20, 2004)

At the end of the 3rd century A.D., Massimiliano stuck a big bubble onto the north-eastern part of town by erecting a semi-circular addition to the wall whose original stretch ran partly along where via Montenapoleone now trots, adding about 10 minutes to the walk from the lost gate in the area of Piazza della Croce Rossa to the "Carrobbio" where five streets came together under the protection of one of the ancient Roman gates.


Part of the tower is still visible there, though a bit hidden, in the parking lot in front of the Hotel Ariston. The Pane-Vino cafè is built right up against it, so if you go inside to have a snack, you can get up-close and personal. (Type "Carrobbio, Milan, Province of Milan" into Google Maps, find the Hotel Ariston--it's marked--and zoom down and around...the brick tower is visible.) (Ph0to snapped August 4, 2004)


Nearby in the aptly named via Circo begin the remains of the circus once tucked up against the enormous imperial compound stretching up to today's Corso Magenta. (Photo snapped August 27, 2004)


Part of the palace remains are easily visible in via Brisa (photo snapped August 27, 2004), other bits were incorporated into an early medieval monastery, later gifted with a still-fascinating church, San Maurizio, choc-a-bloc full of Renaissance frescoes.

Closer to our own day, its cloister was adopted as a focal point for the small, but wonderful and active archaeological museum of Milan, a visit to which is well worth the time spent. Don't forget to go down into the basement display area; the collections include ancient objects not excavated in Milan, but there also is a large portion of a lovely ancient floor mosaic excavated in town and an exposed area of remains of the Republican era walls.


Go, too, into the back courtyard, where you can enjoy the square tower, part of the carceres of the ancient Roman circus (it's known as the Tower of Ansperto after the early medieval Milanese bishop, who restored it; photo October 6, 2008),...


...and the polygonal wall tower, whose facets are so many and so small that it seems round (medieval frescoes inside are sometimes visible). Perusal of the ancient Roman tombstones in the courtyard slice right through the centuries: love, pride, grief.

The other (northwest-southeast) axis of the city, the decumano massimo, roughly followed Santa Maria alla Porta, Santa Maria Fulcorina, via del Bollo and ended aptly on the south-eastern part of town in Corso di Porta Romana at Piazza Missori, just outside of which once stretched a covered portico down the corso (that ran in front of Ambrogio's San Nazaro), a modern version of a mall. On the northern side of the city was the ancient granary, traces of which are under an office building, and visible--unfortunately--only for extraordinary reasons upon special request to the state office of public patrimony,or during sporadic "open days." (I still need to see this!)

The ancient Roman theater, roughly under today's Piazza Affari and the Milanese stock exchange (Borsa), has a highly visible map on the side of that building, which is occasionally open to visitors. The intelligent refurbishment allowed for thick glass floors so the foundations can be seen and enjoyed.

The ancient arena, once full of fierce beasts and battle-trained gladiators, neither of which inculcated great tranquility, was pointedly outside the city walls near the gigantic imperial palace compound, that took up about a third of the city's territory. The museum "Alda Levi" dedicated to it is small, but I found the exhibits a fascinating glimpse of gladiators and their lives, including the existence of ancient medals commemorating them and their achievements, thus invalidating the claim that this kind of medal was invented in the Renaissance. This is a very little known fact...so, see how smart you can sound, now?! I confess, the ruins of the arena, itself, are better than nothing, but are a bit disappointing. On the other hand, the museum is in part of what once was a Renaissance monastery (with a lovely little courtyard) run--if memory serves--by one of Francesco Sforza's and Bianca Maria Visconti's daughters, another fascinating shiver to add to the visit.


In the early 4th century, Constantine issued together with Licinius...before defeating him, and becoming the sole emperor...the famous Edict of Milan in 313 A.D., which recognized Christianity as one of the religions tolerated by the state. San Lorenzo, not far from the arena and enriched over the years with other constructions, was built more than a half a century later, but as part of the enormous imperial palace complex that he had walked (the church seen here from the back in a snap from March 12, 2005). (The 1st-2nd century A.D. ancient Roman columns now in front of the church were perhaps part of an imperial basilica or another temple, and were installed in front of San Lorenzo in a time lost in the mists of history, maybe even when the church originally was built.) During the Period of Consensus, the piazza in front of San Lorenzo was 'liberated' from medieval structures, and a copy of an ancient Roman sculpture was erected, there.

Other bits and pieces of Milan's ancient Roman past are visible around the city and in the city's museums and during special visits to underground areas. Who knows, too, what's going to happen to everything discovered during the relatively recent excavations near Sant'Ambrogio and in Piazza Meda.

Watch this space!

Enjoy!

The birth of an Espresso

I am so jazzed!!!

I finally succeeded in putting my new (free) digital magazine about Milan online!

Take a moment to check it out!

Espresso from Milan.

If the link doesn't work, copy-and-paste this address directly into your browser: http://glossi.com/espressofrommilan/15967-espresso-from-milan-n-0012013?q=Milan

Hugs! Star

A Milanese watch bunny in springtime

You never know when your ceramic dog is going to be stolen, so video cameras and watch bunnies are a good idea....More......

It also was watching over this fluffy colorful herd of sheep.

Today started out a bit gray and spitting rain, but by noon was lovely enough for a post-lunch walk.

Enjoying the sun and the fresh clean air, we walked past what's left of Milan's once extensive Navigli (canals). (I'd like to try eating here!) Did you know that Milan was once surrounded by and criss-crossed with canals that were begun by the ancient Romans extending the natural waterways? Expanded right up through the medieval and (long) Renaissance periods, they were still in use until the early 20th century, when the increased car population (and perhaps the need to sell cars and tires), along with a mosquito-driven health concern, caused the closure in town of all but two of the Navigli by the 1930s.

A little papal-tiara-like cut glass lamp on the snazzy table of a fancy schmancy restaurant is a happy occasion for a new "Here my are!"

Enjoy!

LILT-ing "Going...going...gone!" on Wednesday, the 10th of April

You know by now that I can't resist word play.

LILT is the Italian association...More......

...raising funds for tumor research and for aiding families with small children struck by tumors. It's a good cause, folks.

Here's your chance to contribute, have some fun and take something desirable home: Art & Heart (info in English, yeah!).

It's an auction (in Italian, of course)--co-sponsered by Milan Loves You, WhereMilan, Hortus2015 and, of course, LILT in Milan--of donated art works that will start at 6:30 P.M. this coming Wednesday the 10th in the Sala Spazio Ponte room of the Fabbrica del Vapore, via Procaccini 4 (easily reached with public transportation, use GiroMilano to find out how to get there by tram or bus).

After the auction, there will be eco-sustainable nibbles offered by Proloco Dorno, the non-profit association founded to disseminate information about the city of Dorno and its territory, followed by Hortus2015's presentation of a project to improve "The Garden of the Just" ("Il giardino dei giusti") inaugurated in 2003--the first of its kind in Italy, and the fifth in the world--dedicated to the memory of those who opposed crimes against humanity in the 20th century, but whose efforts fell on deaf ears at the time. The garden is located in Viale dei Giusti that runs through Parco Monte Stella ("Star Mountain Park") in the QT8 quarter in the northwest area of Milan.

The days are longer, now, somehow it's easier to be out and about 'til later. Take advantage of that post-work burst of energy, feast your eyes on some art, your palate on some risotto and your soul on memorable contributions to humanity.

Enjoy!

Beware...another marathon is on its way through Milan: Sunday, April 7

Were you thinking about getting out and about next Sunday, to make up for the Easter holiday?

Forget it. Make other plans. Wander about in your own neighborhood. Spend time with family. Walk the dog.

There's another marathon headed through Milan on Sunday, April 7th. For details, times, and map, go here.

Don't forget to check ATM's pages (in English) for any public transportation changes.

Spring, O Spring, wherefore art thou?

Is it like this where you are, too?

It's......More......

...gray, chilly and rainy, today...again.

Winter is just not letting go, this year.

Hey, Spring...we're waiting.

P.S., O.K., O.K., I snapped this picture on the 22nd of December at 5:30 P.M. with your personal, non-commercial viewing fun in mind...it's too cold and rainy to sit in the Piazza del Duomo "just" to snap pics.