May 22, 2009
Trajan's Arch in Benevento
Obelisk of Isis
Pedestrian Zone Benevento, Campania (rather quiet during the traditional midday, Southern Italy "siesta")
April 2, 2009
Herculaneum
A new treasure from Herculaneum was unveiled in Naples on Tuesday, where it will join a major exhibition exploring life in the Ancient Roman town buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The show, running until April 13, already features over 150 artefacts and human remains uncovered over the last three centuries but the new relief, uncovered by accident last month, is stirring fresh interest.
The marble sculpture, dating back to the 1st century AD, apparently depicts two separate scenes centred on Dionysius, the Greek counterpart of Ancient Rome’s god of wine and merrymaking, Bacchus….
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE
New treasure joins Herculaneum show
Herculaneum is a great day-trip to take from Casa del Cipresso! For driving directions from Calitri to Herculaneum, please CLICK HERE.
April 2, 2009
Visiting The Royal Palace at Caserta is a great day-trip to take from Casa del Cipresso! For driving directions from Calitri to Caserta, please CLICK HERE.
March 26, 2009
Giro d'Italia 2009 - Route Map
We were just thrilled to hear that this famous race would be passing so near to Calitri, Avellino, in two of it’s stages this May (Avellino and Benevento stages)!
Saturday May 9
Lido di Venezia, Venice, 20.5 km
Sunday May 10
Jesolo to Trieste, 156 km
Monday May 11
Grado to Valdobbiadene, 200km
Tuesday May 12
Padova to San Martino di Castrozza, 165 km (uphill)
Wednesday May 13
San Martino di Castrozza to Alpe di Siusi, 125 km (uphill)
Thursday May 14
Bressanone to Mayrhofen, 242 km
Friday May 15
Innsbruck to Chiavenna, 244 km
Saturday May 16
Morbegno to Bergamo, 208 km
Sunday May 17
Circuit Race in Milano, 155 km
Monday May 18 – REST DAY Giro d’Italia 2009
Tuesday May 19
Cuneo to Pinerolo, 250 km (uphill)
Wednesday May 20
Torino to Arenzano, 206 km
Thursday May 21
Sestri Levante to Riomaggiore, 61 km (timetrial)
Friday May 22
Lido di Camaiore to Florence, 150 km
Saturday May 23
Campi Bisenzio to Bologna, 174 km
Sunday May 24
Forlie to Faenza, 159 km
Monday May 25 – (uphill)
Pergola to Monte Petrano, 237 km
Tuesday May 26 – REST DAY Giro d’Italia
Wednesday May 27
Chieti to Blockhaus
Thursday May 28
Sulmona to Benevento
Friday May 29
Avellino to Monte Vesuvio, 164 km
Saturday May 30
Naples to Anagni, 203 km
Sunday May 31
Rome, 15.3 km
January 7, 2009
Venosa Castle at Twilight
Venusia, or modern day Venosa, has a surprisingly rich history for somewhere now so off-the beaten path…or certainly not very popular as far as mass-tourism goes anyway.
Venosa was inhabited as far back as prehistoric times (traces of Acheullean and Chellean settlements have been found there). An Apulian town (now, Venosa is part of Basilicata) in Roman times, it eventually became the largest colony in the Roman world.
Venosa lays claim to quite a few well-known historical figures. The Roman general, Marcellus was ambushed at Venosa and killed by Hannibal in 208BC. It was the birthplace of Horace (the famous Roman poet) and of Manfred (the son of Frederick II, King of Sicily). Venosa was also home to the famous “Prince of Venosa,” Carlo Gesualdo, composer of some of the most well-know choral madrigals from the late Italian Renaissance (and also extremely scandalous murderer of his wife and her lover.)
The fairy-tale, 15th century, Venosa Castle sits in the main piazza – complete with whimsical towers and a moat. (Of all the Norman castles I’ve seen in Southern Italy, this one is the one that is straight out of the story-books.) Inside, there has been a modern renovation and it now houses the Museo Archeologico Nazionale (open 9am-7pm) with a nice display of Greek, Roman, and medieval finds from Venosa, and also includes some more unusual finds from Venosa’s ancient Jewish population (you can also visit the adjoining Jewish catacombs) and impressive skeletal remains from homo erectus (300,000 years ago!).
Other interesting sights in Venosa include a 13c fountain and stone carved lions, the supposed tomb of Marcellus, 16c cathedral, and the Museo Briscese, displaying Palaeolithic finds.
Right outside the town of Venosa, stands La Trinita Abbey, a very impressive monastic complex founded by the Benedictines in 1046. It was originally a Roman temple, then an early Christian church, and finally the Abbey that still stands today. Inside, it houses what is said to be the tomb of Robert Guiscard and his first wife, along with some beautiful frescoes, including one of Joan I of Naples, and a Pieta said to be by Roberto Oderisus.
Across from La Trinita Abbey, you can wander the ruins of the ancient Roman baths, Roman amphitheatre, and Jewish Catacombs (9am-7pm or an hour before sunset)
Venosa (Basilicata) can be reached in about one hour by car from Calitri and makes for a wonderful historical excursion.
The Castle at Venosa
June 6, 2007
Casa del Cipresso is a cozy home in Southern Italy; it is available for weekly rentals year-round; A great, affordable, family alternative to a B&B (Bed and Breakfast) or Pensione!
Please be sure to check in for postings in our “Southern Italy Blog“ for lots of information about the local area and our self catering holiday home.
For more information, including Rates, Directions and more photos, please click on the ”buttons” at the top of this page.
Please browse through our link page to learn more about the location and town of Calitri, things to do and see nearby, and anything else we think may be of interest!
