Italian Travel Team

07/02/2025

Dreaming of an unforgettable Italian getaway? At Italian Travel Team, we specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique interests and desires. Whether you envision exploring ancient ruins, indulging in culinary delights, or relaxing amidst breathtaking landscapes, our expert team will curate the perfect Italian experience for you. Contact us today to start planning your dream trip!

25/01/2025

Secret Passages Unveiled: Leonardo da Vinci's Hidden Tunnels Beneath Sforza Castle in Milan

Using cutting-edge detection technologies, including ground-penetrating radar and laser scanners, a team of researchers from the Polytechnic University of Milan has identified a series of subterranean structures just a few meters below the surface of Sforza Castle. These hidden passages, once sketched by the renowned Renaissance artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, may connect the castle to the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

A Journey into Medieval History

Construction of Sforza Castle began in 1358, but it was destroyed during a period of political unrest about a century later. Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, ordered the reconstruction of the castle on its ruins in 1450. After his death, his son Ludovico, also known as "il Moro" due to his dark complexion and hair, took control of the Duchy of Milan and continued the castle's renovation.

Ludovico Sforza, known for his patronage of the arts, commissioned several artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Donato Bramante, and Bernardino Zenale, to decorate the castle's walls. Leonardo's frescoes can still be seen in the castle's Sala delle Asse, or "Room of Wooden Boards." During this time, Leonardo also documented the secret passages built for military purposes beneath the castle's outer wall, known as the ghirlanda.

Confirming an Ancient Legend

"This passageway is immortalized in Leonardo's drawings and has long been the subject of legends and considerable speculation," according to a statement. "But now, thanks to technology, it seems that its existence can be confirmed." The researchers used ground-penetrating radar, which works by emitting radio waves into the ground and receiving signals back via an antenna. This technology revealed cavities and passageways just one or two yards below the surface.

A Tunnel for Love and Security

Historical records suggest that Ludovico Sforza ordered the construction of an underground passageway to allow him easy access to the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where his wife Beatrice d'Este was buried. Beatrice, the daughter of the Duke of Ferrara, married Ludovico in 1491. As Encyclopedia Britannica notes, their marriage was "unusually harmonious" but tragically short-lived: Beatrice died in childbirth in 1497. Ludovico's secret tunnel, which may have stretched over half a mile, would have provided the widower with private visitations and served as an escape route in case of a siege.

The Future of Research and Technology

Claudio Salsi, the historical director of the castle's museums, told ANSA that the scans could be used to create augmented reality experiences or virtual tours for tourists. Francesca Biolo, an architect at the Polytechnic University of Milan, stated in a release that the scans are only the first step in unraveling the secrets of Sforza Castle's tunnels.

This discovery not only enriches our understanding of Renaissance engineering techniques but also offers new opportunities to explore the past through modern technology. Leonardo da Vinci's secret passages, once merely the subject of speculation, can now be studied and appreciated as an integral part of Sforza Castle's history.

19/12/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas from Italian Travel Team! 🎄

To all our cherished guests, we send our warmest wishes for a holiday season filled with joy, love, and unforgettable moments. Thank you for letting us be part of your Italian adventures.

May this Christmas bring happiness to your hearts and dreams of future travels to Italy! 🎅🌟

Buon Natale! 🎁
Italian Travel Team
Natalia and Antonio

13/12/2024

The name Spritz comes from the German word spritzen, which means "to splash" or "to spray." This drink originated in the Veneto region during the 19th century, when the area was under Austrian rule. Austrian soldiers and officials, unaccustomed to the strong Italian wines, would dilute them with sparkling water to make them lighter and closer to the beverages they knew from home. The act of "splashing" water into wine gave rise to the term Spritz.

The modern version, made with prosecco, Aperol (or Campari), and soda, developed over time and has become an iconic symbol of the Italian aperitivo.

La sera di venerdì 19 luglio, Aperol ha illuminato Venezia con 1500 droni per la Festa del Redentore. Uno spettacolo mozzafiato di luci e colori che celebra ...

17/11/2024

12/11/2024

The Elephant and the Art of ‘Doing the Portuguese’

In 1514, Rome was captivated by a scene of pure wonder when Hanno, a magnificent Indian elephant, crossed its ancient bridges and squares. This impressive animal was a precious gift, sent by King Manuel I of Portugal to Pope Leo X to celebrate his coronation. Draped in splendid cloth and accompanied by a luxurious entourage of Portuguese ambassadors and dignitaries, the enormous creature stirred amazement and admiration among Romans who had never seen anything like it.

Struck by the gift and eager to show his gratitude, the Pope granted the Portuguese ambassadors and their entourage a truly special privilege: the freedom to enjoy any goods and services in Rome without paying. Simply declaring themselves Portuguese allowed them access to food, lodging, and entertainment—all in the spirit of friendship between Portugal and the Holy See.

However, word of this privilege quickly spread, and soon clever Romans were ready to take advantage of the situation. With a touch of creativity and a hastily improvised exotic accent, many began to enter theaters, taverns, and inns throughout the city, proclaiming, "We’re Portuguese!" Thus, even these crafty locals managed to enjoy free hospitality, courtesy of the Pope.

When Leo X reviewed the astronomical bills sent from local businesses, he realized he’d been duped. The modest Portuguese delegation couldn’t have consumed so much, not even with the elephant in tow! Realizing the trick, the Pope revoked the privilege—but by then, the damage was done.

And so the expression “doing the Portuguese” was born, adopted by Romans to describe someone who gets something without paying, taking advantage of others’ generosity. And thus, between a bit of trickery and the imposing figure of an elephant, the people of Rome immortalized the art of “doing the Portuguese”!

24/09/2024

https://www.italiantravelteam.com/carretto-siciliano/

Carretto Siciliano Lascia un commento / Italy, Sicily, Uncategorized, Wine Tours / Di Antonio Luce Carretto Siciliano – Sicilian CartThe “carretto siciliano” (Sicilian cart) is a traditional and iconic symbol of Sicilian culture. Here’s some more information:Artistic Mastery: The carretto si...

23/09/2024

During a gastronomic journey through Abruzzo, we explored enchanting places and unique flavors as part of the **Abruzzo Food Experience**, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Chieti Pescara and the Consorzio Abruzzo Travelling. The adventure began with an evening visit to **Vasto**, followed by dinner at **La Votte a Mare**, where we savored the traditional **brodetto alla vastese** and **stuffed cuttlefish with ventricina**, paired with an excellent **Cerasuolo wine**.

Our stay at **Hotel Acquario in Vasto Marina** pampered us with breakfasts featuring homemade jams and traditional Abruzzese cakes. The next day, we explored **Palazzo D’Avalos** and enjoyed lunch and wine tastings at **Cantine Fontefico**.

In the afternoon, the majestic **Abbazia di San Giovanni in Venere** captivated us with its centuries-old history, followed by a visit to the traditional **trabocco Punta Tufano**, where we learned about the origins of these ancient fishing structures. The evening ended with a special dinner, preceded by a tasting of **Giocondo olive oil**, right at the **Trabocco**.

The next day led us to the breathtaking **Gole di San Martino** and the **Sorgenti del Verde**, followed by lunch at **La Macina** in **Pennapiedimonte**. Another cultural stop took us to the **Andrea Bafile Military Shrine** and the beautiful town of **Guardiagrele**, where we tasted the famous **Z***e delle Monache** at the historic pastry shop **Palmerio**.

A visit to the **Consorzio del Pecorino di Farindola** introduced us to traditional cheeses and sausages from the local **"sdijuno"**, an ancient, hearty Abruzzese breakfast. We then explored **Penne** and visited the **Cantine Contesa**, indulging in more fine local wines.

The last evening brought us to **Pescara**, where we strolled along the **Ponte del Mare** and concluded the tour with a dinner and show at the **Museum of the People of Abruzzo**, a perfect place to immerse ourselves in the region’s culture and traditions.

15/09/2024

Roman stonemasons fill block joints with metal. When the expression "built for centuries" was not just an expression..

05/09/2024

Theatre of Marcellus, Rome, before excavation and restoration.

18/08/2024

Rome, late 1800s - The "Serciaroli" with the "mazzabecco," a heavy conical wooden mallet used to hammer the famous "Sampietrini".

The "Serciarolo" (or "Selciarolo") was a worker responsible for paving the streets. On a base of sand, he would carefully arrange the "selci" (cobblestones) following a precise pattern, hammering them into place with a large wooden mallet, known in Roman dialect as the "mazzapicchio" or "mazzabecco." This mallet was nearly 1 meter long and weighed between 20-25 kilograms. In the past, the "serciaroli" mainly came from the province of L'Aquila and worked in Rome seasonally. Some of the most skilled became known by nicknames that sound like characters from a Carlo Verdone film: "Asso de coppe" (Ace of Cups), "il Tripicchia," "er Gallo" (the Rooster), "Mandrella," "Pasqualino di Testaccio," and "Vaccaretto," who was probably the most "gagliardo" (tough) of all—he could lay up to 6,000 cobblestones on a street in a single day.

The "selcio," also known as the "sampietrino," is a small block of basalt cut into a truncated pyramid shape, used for paving streets in Rome since the 16th century. Its name originates from St. Peter's Square, where it was used for decorative paving. The sampietrino was employed to create a smooth, compact surface that was further polished by the passage of carts. Pope Sixtus V used this type of paving extensively during his massive road renovation between 1585 and 1590, which involved the restructuring of 120 streets. Following this transformation, the sampietrino became widely used throughout the city during the 17th century. Even today, it is so prevalent on Roman streets that it gave rise to the saying "allustra' li serci," meaning to stroll aimlessly around the city.

Source: Passeggiate per Roma curiosa
Photo: Pinterest

07/08/2024

Voragine( Central Crater ) August 4th 2024 Paroxysm number 5 🌍GRUPPO GUIDE ALPINE E VULCANOLOGICHE ETNA NORDWeb: www.guidetnanord.comINFO: email: [email protected]: (+39) 095.7774502mobile: (+39) 348.0125167Whatsapp (+39) 377.3711028

24/07/2024

Planning a trip to Europe, and especially to Italy, can be an exciting and stimulating experience. However, many North American travelers who prefer to organize their vacations by consulting internet portals such as Booking, Expedia, and similar platforms often make mistakes that can compromise the quality of their trip. In this article, we will explore the main planning mistakes and how turning to professionals like Italian Travel Team can make a difference.

Mistakes in Planning a Trip to Europe Lascia un commento / Uncategorized / Di Antonio Luce Mistakes in Planning a Trip to Europe Planning a trip to Europe, and especially to Italy, can be an exciting and stimulating experience. However, many North American travelers who prefer to organize their vaca...