FOUND THE FIRST ITALIAN FREEMASONRY?

Found the evidences of the first Italian freemasonry?
In the early 70's in Tuscany, in the small village of Gropina were found evidence that the foundations of the local church were made ​​in pre-Christian era, were also found remains of the foundations of the Roman imperial period, the really mysterious, however, is that the masons who built the church stands now, the Pieve of Saint Peter dating from around the XII century and built over the pagan temple dedicated to Diana.
Mysteries anthropomorphic figures carved out of the heathen, as in the pulpit (photo on right) , which is really an amazing work, as it immediately makes one think that the builders of the time were a bit too 'free', not online with style of Italian architecture,  were perhaps the first Italian freemasonry?
Here is a mystery really fascinating, you can go and see with your own eyes in Gropina, a few kilometers from Arezzo, carved capitals of the Knights Templar, animals, green man,  and pagan symbols that seem to indicate a link between the modern and ancient Freemasonry secrets of masons and architects of the Italian High Middle Ages, linked to the Knights Templar and then to the Temple of Solomon.
Here, an article here with some photos of sacred architecture in Italy, where you can also find these places on Google Maps, for Your next trip for your holidays in Italy...

continue...

DESIGN AND SACRED ARCHITETURE IN ITALY

The design and architecture of the Italian Churches have marked the 'art history' of yesterday and today.
In particular, the sacred architecture in Italy was the factory of painters, sculptors, and later greatly influenced the style and Italian design influences and still, as an Italian child will see dozens of these churches large and small and its taste is art, forever influenced, like an 'imprinting'.
In this little photo album I wanted to, and add from time to time, the best Italian churches for design and architecture, whether it's ancient churches whether it's modern churches.
Enjoy and have fun with these pics made near Arezzo.
PS: the churches are 'tagged' into Google Maps.

continue...

ITALIAN'S NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS FOR FREE

Here's where you can go to Italy, in these times of economic crisis and celebrate the New Year for free, in the square:
Rome:
the Foro Romano, in the magnificent setting of the Roman Empire you will find the Negramaro in concert, an emerging group of Italian music, which will be joined by comedian Roman Brignano.
Florence:
in the historic center built by the Medici you will find a few hundred meters apart with 5 parties with concerts of jazz, rock and classical music and fireworks in the river Arno, at midnight.
Milan:
a big concert in Cathedral Square - Piazza del Duomo - will celebrate the new year, 2012, that all hope is not the end of the world - there will be a concert by Vinicio Capossella.
Naples: the municipality of Naples offers a year for the celebration of New Year's a free concert of two great Neapolitan musicians: the cousins ​​Eugenio and Edoardo Bennato, in Piazza Plebiscito.
A tip?
If You are in holidays in Italy that period on Dolomites you can stay here, the New Year celebrations are awesome, but, if You are only in a private trip in Italy...
If the writer should not hesitate which to choose: Naples on the last night of the year is famous throughout Italy for the extraordinary warmth with which he greets the old year and welcome the new year: an amazing fireworks show in practice that involves all the people - 1 million people - with barrels, rockets and traditions very impressive, not to be missed...

Happy New Year!

continue...

CIRCUS MAXIMUS: THE LARGEST STADIUM IN THE WORLD

It's incredible that after 30 centuries the largest stadium in the world is still Circus Maximum.
Could contain up to 350.000 people and the entrance was free, offered by the state were the famous chariot races, gladiatorial shows, and also of wild beasts.
It is said that the 'Circus Maximus' was already present in that area since the beginning of Rome, in 800 BC , but it was the Emperor Trajan, who rebuilt it as we see it now.
Circus Maximum is also the first permanet roman circus, and the first build in the world build by concrete 'father' of cemento, and near, Trajan build the first shopping mall in the history ...
Unfortunately, it is now only one archaeological find, is in fact the center of the city of Rome, is sometimes used to make the great concerts of Italian rock stars such as Eros Ramazzotti.
And 'which derives precisely from the Circus Maximus to build fashion cities of the Roman Empire of the stadiums - later also as the Colosseum in Rome - where you can make these shows which increased the pomp and respect that the people had for the Roman emperors.
After almost 30 centuries is amazing to know that Circus Maximus is the largest stadium in the world with its 621 m (2.037 ft) in length and 118 m (387 ft) in width.
Here are some videos of the "Circus Maximus":

continue...

THE WORLD'S FIRST ELECTRIC MOTORBIKE

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, that product of Italian technology: the "world's first electric motorbike" costs 30,000 euros (today 39.000 US $) and get to 200 kmh (124 miles per hour)
There were so many bikes that have attempted to follow the path of the engine to electricity, but this "SORA" has something more, and certainly the design, the high technologies used to build it, the fact that 300 km (186 miles)  of autonomy and speed 200 kmh ..
Here, below, some features:
Some of its features and benefits include: 
An energy storing, integrated charge management system. Ride for up to 300 km on a single charge thanks to the top-of-the-line, high-density battery — built to last for the life of the bike 
A powerful electric motor and CVT transmission. Experience the power of going 0-200 km/h with zero clutch and phenomenal torque that makes you feel like you're flying on the road 
An advanced communication and power management unit, developed by LITO and designed to convert every watt of power efficiently to minimize energy loss 
A patented Safe Range System™. With this revolutionary application you will never experience range anxiety. Just set your destination the Sora supebike will manage the amount of energy to get you there 
State-of-the-art integrated GPS system and touch screen. Stay connected to your bike in a new way never before possible 
The world's first ever electric motorbike seat. Change your ride handling on the fly 
High-quality front fork and rear suspension and top-of-the-line braking, designed to let you stop faster than on almost any other superbike 
An on-board charging port and sealed lockable storage compartment. Keep you gear dry and secure Patented email notification when the SORA charge is complete 
A regenerative braking system. Energy lost during braking is used to recharge the battery, so you can travel further in a single charge. The system also minimizes impact on the brake pad, which means less maintenance 
Lightweight carbon fiber fairing and aluminum chassis. 
Aircraft grade materials, stronger, lighter, faster.

SORA's official website

continue...

BEST ITALIAN BONFIRE: NOVOLI, SALENTO

The word Focara (FOCARA) Salento is a dialect word that means simply a bonfire of firewood.
Now there are also fireworks, but this term is used to indicate the particular traditional rite in use in Salento to create piles of firewood at the crossroads of the city (especially in the municipalities of Surbiton and Novoli) and alight on the eve of the liturgical feast of Saint Anthony Abbot.
Around this blazing pyre is used to keep the families who have built (or families who live near the intersection) and trascrorrer the evening together.
Where did this tradition has its origin is not certain: perhaps from ancient pagan rituals, or perhaps in memory of an earthquake that struck the Salento centuries ago. 
The largest is built Focara Novoli, the biggest Italian bonfire, during the celebrations in honor of the patron saint St. Anthony Abbot. 
On 16 January the Focara is powered by a magnificent show of fireworks that light up the sky Novoles days. 
The event known throughout the Puglia attracts thousands of spectators from all over the south of Italy and was also the subject of a National Geographic documentary, below, the video of fireworks:

continue...

TURIN SHROUD IS AUTHENTIC, SCIENTISTS SAYS

Christmas is coming and the purpose here is a study of Italian scientists - obviously paid for the advice ... - Saying that the Turin Shroud is authentic!
The man needs to believe in something, man has invented religion, magic, and we, in 2012, that still does not accept the death and can not understand the pain that hurts the heart, we need attached to something: religious faith ..
The 'Turin Shroud is authentic', because at the time when the latest studies have said it was 'manufactured' in 1300 did not have the techniques to achieve this false thesis that runs for some time now, and already put the lie to this ...
Yes, a linen sheet would have defied centuries 20 to get to us, in the hands of the Vatican to prove that God exists, that Jesus died, rose again and suffered for us.
I do not want to write against the Catholic religion, no, but let me write against an obvious fake mystery as that of the Turin Shroud, as serious and scientific studies have shown has been created around the XIII century sacred because at the time it magically appeared this relic was the custom, on middle age was a big trade of relic.
The Pope recently said that it is not just a relic that can prove the existence of God, and I agree.
If God is love, we must first look within ourselves love, then we can give it to others, then we can find, if we are lucky even the love of God ..
Italian version

continue...

The first state to abolish the death penalty, Italy 1786 and United States?

Italy has abolished the death penalty in 1786 and the United States?

The first state in the world to abolish the death penalty was the Grand Duchy of Tuscany - in the heart of Italy - with the issue, November 30, 1786, the new penal code signed by the Duke Pietro Leopoldo. 
If we consider the abolition of capital punishment "de facto" status is the oldest abolitionist Republic of San Marino, as the last execution took place in 1468, but the formal and final abolition was established by law in 1865. 
The reflection on the current criminal justice system, which included the death penalty, was stimulated by the publication, in 1764, the Treaty of Cesare Beccaria, "On Crimes and Punishments," in which the State argued that, as punishment for a crime he allegedly committed one in turn. 
And the United States what they do? 
Here you could start a very long speech, different cultures, I think it sums up the concept that more of this big difference, I believe that cultures should be near, here, have been the first country in the world to abolish the death penalty makes me feel proud to be Italian, I would be too great because we have a political class, but we are far from that. 
The United States is a fundamental cultural provided for reference throughout the world and would be very nice, that one day, all over the U.S. death penalty was abolished.

continue...

CHRISTMAS IN THE BACKGROUND OF MONA LISA

We continues to make a trip in Tuscany in Christmas time, today we see Borra, a little town near Ponte Buriano built in 1277, it was used by Leonardo Da Vinci in the lower-right quadrant of his painting Mona Lisa.
Each year during the Christmas time in Borra, few kilometers from background of Mona Lisa, is a very nice local artisan shows, the country is a small medieval village near Arezzo and, if one day there you go, you will find it very spectacular.
Here are some pictures of the exhibition of handmade Christmas in Borra, Tuscany.

continue...

ITALIAN POLITICIANS STOP CUTTING THEIR SALARIES

Incredible: Italy is at risk of default and stop the Italian politicians stop a law that was intended by the new decree, which provided Monti, the new President, cutting to salaries of italian politicians that are now about twice the others European average: about 15,000 euros, $ 20,000 ..
This is one of the major reasons for the Italian economic crisis, the total lack of respect for everything and everyone, which is typical of Italian politicians, that's why the head of the Italian government was a person like Mr. Berlusconi and that's why the Italians are so disgusted and disheartened by the Italian political. PS: the amount of salary on a monthly basis...

continue...

PROSPECTS FOR TOURISM IN ITALY IN 2011 BTO

The BTO is without doubt the Italian event which tells the story of tourism today.
He tells us what is happening and what will happen: an observatory reliable and attentive to the changes, combining with the technological changes in society: it makes us understand where we came to show us what the future holds.
There are three important aspects that the fourth edition of BTO showed:Technological developments and their impact - The problems related to lack of investment in travel and tourism
- The new opportunities for tourism
We heard that the Italians are second to none when it comes to mobile phones - and that we all know, just look around on the streets, in cars, everywhere ... everybody is doing something with their constant companion - your mobile phone, also gifts for Christmas
The importance of the mobile Web has grown significantly in the last year and this trend is unstoppable.
On the other hand to make a (small) investment to develop a mobile version (at least of) the home page of a hotel is "difficult." As always in Italy we are masters in the art of make do: ADSL is a sewer? We do not do anything with the phone! We spend (on average) 6 hours and 27 minutes on Facebook, while the global average is about 5 hours. 
We are very social. Large areas have been granted to multinational online travel (the OTA - Online Travel Agencies) who've been significant slices of the market (because GDP and revenues go abroad and do not remain in Italy). They start to see interesting facts about travelers from emerging BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
Russians have heard often in recent years and we know that are not new to "excursions" in our country, in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna ... for others we know little - here are some data and information to think about: Travelers are younger than the global average (35 to 41 years than the global average), but could not be that way - they are very young, dynamic country by demographics ...
They have disposable income and more leisure time than they had in the past have worked hard and now are searching for quality and are willing to pay, but at the same time are very careful about how they spend their money We must abandon the scheme (or model) of the chamber according to standardized criteria western: many Indians are vegetarians, while the Chinese like to drink hot water in the morning and wonder if you are proposing water (or milk) cold breakfast: for them is crucial Room to have the kettle for tea Even the Indians are great users of mobile telephony - Internet penetration in India is just 8% .5 yet mobile Internet users in India there are about 100 million today and gain access through this trip - you travel, many of which last minute directly from their phone. 
One of the most widely used portals and leading provider of online travel in India is makemytrip.com Last year I came to Italy about 600,000 Brazilians and 1 million Chinese. He travels for work and for making holiday (honeymoon)
The Chinese know little or nothing outside of Italy's three main goals, and notes in the world: Rome, Florence and Venice - their vacations are short, very short indeed with a very tight schedule and travel packages programmed with "all inclusive" and then travels overnight We must not bring the Chinese to eat Chinese in Italy: The Chinese restaurants in Italy are among the best in the world
Tourists love the BRIC Italy It is a fact of life - art, culture and fashion are on the agenda for these wealthy tourists, informed and well educated. And Italy?
Must do much because this is not people who come with the complex of inferiority.
We must train the operators and how these momentous changes to teach them: Guests "new" with very different needs and expectations - change the world changes the tourists - it is time to make radical changes (even) in the world (or is it better said the industry) of tourism - that is what says BTO.
Source here.

continue...

TUSCANY CHRISTMAS IMAGES 2011

This morning I took a walk in the center of Arezzo, where, from a small market day started with typical Italian products for Christmas 2011.
Arezzo is one of the main towns of Tuscany, which as you know, is located in central Italy.
In these days I'll try to update this photo album depicting the Italian way of life when it comes home.
All go to choose some presents for friends and relatives or because the Tuscan cuisine is one of the best I will show you the traditional dishes of this region, as well as customs and traditions, I hope you enjoy this album of images, click to enlarge, below:

continue...

'NDRANGHETA, SOMALI PIRATES, TOXIC WASTE, WEAPONS, KIDNAPPING

Now it's a bit of time this blog follows the adventures of the Somali Pirates and here is what comes out if you get together the 'pieces' of this kind of puzzle: pirates, weapons, toxic waste, kidnapping.
For centuries the people of the coast of the Horn of Africa living from fishing.
Over the past 50 years that stretch of sea is a kind of highway to 6 lanes for ships, many of supertankers, from the Persian Gulf and/or Indian Ocean are directed to Europe.
The supertankers, until recently cleaned up their holds with sea water, polluting those waters as they could, and now international laws prevent this practice, but as usual not everyone respect. The fact is that in the meantime, the fish-rich areas of the Gulf of Aden are now almost totally devoid of marine life, a situation which, together with previous wars, the current state of anarchy which is substantial in Somalia, has meant that this ex- Italian colony is now considered one of the dustbins secret of production waste and toxic waste of the Western industrial societies, which no one wants on their doorstep, some of these comes in Africa thanks to camorra and 'ndrangheta... 
The pollution of the sea has led to hunger somali coastal populations made up of fishermen, residents, former guerrillas, policemen of Islamic cohorts, are in fact organized and armed thanks to the 'peace mission' of the UN - which cost the lives many Western-soldiers who remained after the thousands of weapons and ammunition in a circle at bargain prices in that country. 
Other weapons these so-called 'Pirates' - but I call them more properly "The desperates of Somali coasts" just as if the payment to procure the discharge of toxic waste. 
Do you remember the murder of Rai journalist Ilaria Alpi and her cameraman Miram Rovatin?
Someone said she killed because she had understood the links about toxic waste, 'ndrangheta, somali pirates and weapons... 
Well, if you give me so much, the story is always the same, only now the scenario has been extended and totally - or almost - came to light, but the latter - as you know - it's just my opinion ... 
I wonder if my opinion is the right one?? 
Italian version

continue...

GLADIO AND SECRET GOVERNMENTS IN ITALY documentary

Gladio has been for years a secret military structure in NATO, also known as Stay Behind has made use of the best professionals hired by the anti-faith, declared the special forces and Armed Forces FFOO for what he knows is to 'be prepared' against a possible fifth column, that is, against a possible takeover (is that with military voting) of the Communists.
It was particularly large and active in Italy.
The documentary we're going to see is made by the BBC a few years after the 'Gladio case' and that has the highlights of the interviews to see: there and then they all swore that they were hoaxes or exaggerations, in fact, over time, even interviews with the most discussed (Licio Gelli, head of the notorious Propaganda 2 or P2, which had as its purpose the 'democratic renewal' here original photocopy and list of members 'updated' and in alphabetical order, where is also Berlusconi) are have been correct. 
We support the thesis that the documentary, is that the second World War in Europe and never finished it, and that Italy was the battlefield, until at least 1990. 
If the Nazi-Fascism is defined as a reactionary movement that is due to the fact that the main reaction had Versailles pacts against the treaty, against the economic situation of the time, the excessive power (then colonial) English and French as well as against communism. 
Just in this video is a very interesting document which shows an assembly of anti, mostly fascists and Nazis from across Europe.
To the expansion of communism began to put a real Brake, said, by the late '30s and the second World War the American OSS services could not do better than to hire good cops or good officers as the Xa MAS of Prince Valerio Borghese, or the case of General Reinhard Gehlen, who was involved however, in the conspiracy who tried to assassinate Hitler July 20, 1944 and who had directed the section of the intelligence services of the wehrmacht officer in control of the Eastern Front and the Soviet Union. The General Gehlen, given its extensive information resources on the Soviet Union , was allowed to preserve its network of over 400 spies in the service after the war the United States. 
The Gehlen organization soon became one of the primary sources of intelligence during the Cold War, and formed the basis of what from 1956 became the German intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND). 
So fascists of proven loyalty to counter what he had become a problem at hand. According to some even in '48 Togliatti (president of Italian communists)  went to Moscow to seek enlightenment that is, if you start using force to take power: the Comintern advised caution, was a good choice even if the Communists were still well-organized and armed guerrilla warfare since the Italians were already services, in turn loyalty 'Atlantic' because their relationships Italian police know that the activities of the Italian Communists, in practice considered as a fifth column of Soviet Russians. 
For those who do not understand avessae we are talking about the secret structure that was defined in 1992, after his discovery 'Red Gladio', but we must not lose sight that we know these things because the time on the omission of many police investigations, police and Sifar (the Italian secret services of the time) are now public domain and not for some book that some 'former partner' has had the courage to write. 
The suspicion that a thin red line to the Red Brigades Red colleagues Gladio is very strong, even if only for the moment I suspect it is. Going from memory there are some things that were never clarified, back in 2008. Although the likes of Moretti's Red Brigades swear that this type of aid had not, the suspicion is there, in that when the Red Brigades were formed from the independent Workers' does not seem possible that within the movement there were more infiltrated or not covered services of the East, for example, Czechoslovakia, always close to the Italian communist party. The Suspicions about Gladio - Operation Stay-Beyoind, the 'Atlantic Gladio' are many, for example, do not forget that the whole story came out Gladio 'by mistake', a 'sorry' accused of the massacre of Peteano spoke. 
In 'practice, although the sources that we can now say' official 'categorically deny it, hard not to think that the armed wing of the strategy of tension had been its own Gladio, although some say that people never felt patriotism would put bombs case speak when innocent civilians. Shed light on what happened these past years is important, beyond the historiographical reasons, as history should teach us not to fall into the same errors. 
In Argentina there was a 'reconciled' between Executioner and victims, when will a reconciled between extreme right and extreme left Italian we can begin to let go of the ideological discourse of politics and start thinking about the real welfare in Italy. Instructions to watch the video: the video is in 5 parts: automatically start and click the other constituent parts of the documentary will begin no more commands to give. 
Enjoy:

continue...

ONLY MILITARY CORP IN THE WORLD THAT PLAYS RUNNING

Today we see and hear one of the most beautiful - and unique in the world - Italian traditions: the "Fanfare of the Bersaglieri", that make me proud to be Italian.
The "Fanfare of the Bersaglieri" is the only army music band that plays running.
I worked at a military barracks of Bersaglieri and I assure you that just to become a soldier must run run and run, to become a member of the Fanfare of Bersaglieri: you need to know to live, fight and play running: something very difficult, because in only this band play aerophone and run and play inside a trumpet or a trombone, I assure you that it is an effort that causes hallucinations were ...
In any event self-respecting Italian military, come the Bersaglieri who are the joy of children and adults: unleash a force, a vitality like few other shows.
The Italian Bersaglieri are an Italian military corp of emergency and has participated in all the world's most dangerous peacekeeping missions in recent years.
Below, some of most beautiful videos about Bersaglieri, to see:

continue...

ITALIAN DEFENCE UNDER ATTACK OF THE CRISIS

Finmeccanica is the Italian company that deals with defense, and in these days of big Italian crisis, has been the subject of much news of economics and finance, as it was said that could fail.
It 'a state company strategically very important, because, in practice, has interests in all major industries that deal with defense technology, energy and other strategic industries in Italy and can not fail, just for the Italian security.
Finmeccanica is in great crisis because the administration is in the hands of Italian politics, now totally tainted by cronyism and malfeasance.
In a video below You will recognize some of the most important Italian weapon systems, some of which are exported all over the world are of Finmeccanica:

continue...

BEST CHRISTMAS NATIVITY SCENES

The first Christmas nativity scene was made in Italy by St. Francis in 1223.
Since that date, every year at Christmas, the construction of a nativity scene is a must for every self-respecting Italian family, is a typically Italian tradition. Most important tradition in the south Italy, but also to the north, every family, every church, has their own nativity scene and there are cities where there are events in which they are exposed nativity scenes.
Today, we offer one of the greatest Italian artists skilled in the art of nativity scenes: the artist Giancarlo Beltrami, here presents 20 of their traditional nativity dioramas that have been restored for the occasion. His crib poliscenico that enlivens faith and provides a representation of great religious art, strengthens its ties between the Italian theatrical tradition and rich in eighteenth-century nativity naturalistic details. His scenes (landscapes, homes, interior width of about 1.30 m, m depth of about 1.30 to 2 m and a height of about 3) are mainly characterized by the precision and expertise of natural and environmental details, the subtlety and expressiveness of the figures (made ​​of plaster and then painted) and bright colors. The artist can then be considered at the same time, painter, architect and designer of his artwork, below a video:.

continue...

ITALIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS: A SIMPLE SOLUTION

In this period of great economic and financial crisis Celentano public a good song: 'Il mutuo'  (The mortgage) , in which the great Italian singer analyzes the Italian economic situation and gives us a simple solution for that Christmas 2011: the decrease.
The song is written as a letter from a man to his wife and starts saying that he does not want to take more loans, because they pollute our economy, adding that we must turn to a more simple, artisan, without lowering wages also says the most important thing: to return to the beauty, the only real advantage that Italian natural resource: tourism and culture...
Simple solutions to complex problems, it seems, in fact too simple solutions ... however, the song is very beautiful, as follows:

continue...

A DOG FROM THE RENAISSANCE: THE ITALIAN SPINONE

The Italian Spinone dog breeds derived from the Roman times but only in the fifteenth century we have evidence of its existence, from a fresco by Mantegna, right here, this dog was a sign of royalty.
His temperament is gentle, peaceful and loving and expresses intelligence, confirmed by his exceptional ability to learn.
His greatest wish is to meet the master in his will. For his patience and his sociability is also suitable to be with family and children. It 'a race for its unique morphological and behavioral skills.
I was 4 years old when the house of my grandmother came an Italian Spinone, became my best friend, was much taller than me and was my playmate, I cried a lot when after a few years a hunter took it with him .. In the images below we can see an Italian Spinone pointing, one of the most beautiful scenes to behold, no one tells him what to do, thanks to centuries of breeding these dogs have an innate sense of the hunt and the type of hunting they have to perform ... fantastic

continue...