La Dolce Vita in Italia!

Although we have only been here in Italy only two weeks, I feel as though we have moved mountains. We are surrounded by the most accomplished people--professors and guides-- who inspire me in so many ways. We are being taught by many members of the Antonini family. Marco, who teaches us history, teaches us from a perspective that is truly rare. He has lived through World War II here in Italy, lived in many different countries, can speak multiple languages, and has seen Europe and the world change in so many ways. He has such an amazing perspective, knowledge, and insight on the world and our past, that it is simply enamoring to hear his lectures on history. I dont know if we realize how lucky we are to be taught by Mr. Antonini. We are also taught by Francesco Petrucci, one of the most respected and sought after Bernini experts in the world. His lectures on art in the Chigi Palace are incredibly interesting, and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to be taught by such accomplished people.

In the first two weeks we have travelled to the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. We have seen the world famous and ancient "She Wolf" bronze statue in the Capitoline Museum; walked through the 1600 year old Catacombs, or tombs of the first Christians in history buried 25 meters below sea level; walked down the Via Appia; seen rain fall inside the Pantheon; and travelled to Venice and ridden on a gondola through the Grand Canal. We stood together as a group in the middle of St. Marks square in Venice in complete awe at the antiquity and beauty all around. It was magical to be standing in the middle of St. Marks square last weekend. I was enamored at what was in front of me. St. Marks Basilica, all the ancient stones beneath my feet, tamd he ancient building around the square. I tried to envision, amidst all of the people in costume for Carnivale buzzing around, if thousands of years ago, this city still had such an incredible energy and fervor.

Travelling and experiencing new cultures is such a rich addition to ones education. I can't explain the feeling I had when I walked inside St. Marks Basilica last Saturday morning in Venezia. Your whole perspective changes when you get to see and walk through such a masterpiece. The antiquity of this building, and the way the light cascades so perfectly onto every last detail of this building, left me in awe. You wonder how someone could have created such a massive and impressive basilica. This basilica has long been one of my favorite works of architecture, and it is truly Byzantine architecture at its absolute finest.

The amount we have learned and experienced in the past two weeks far surpasses anything I have learned sitting in a desk in a classroom. Just as the art, architecture, and history has opened my eyes and inspired me to learn more, so has the group of girls and professors that surround me every day. We have to pinch ourselves, because we have only been here for two weeks, and we have so much more to look forward to. A presto!

A shot of St. Marks Basilica during Carnevale in Venice The 8 girls in the Colosseum
Whitney, Colleen, and Tyler in a gondola ride through the Grand Canal, with our lovely driver in the background singing at the top of his lungs

Not Too Far From Home

Arriving in a new city can be intimidating and scary, but a new country? A new country can be terrifying. However, as I first stepped down from the bus looking at our new home for the next 3 months, the Hotel Villa Ariccia, I felt anything but terrified. I felt relieved. Relieved at seeing a perfectly situated white building with green shutters, a double staircase leading to the entrance, all the while trees surround this oasis, swooping down as if protecting all its inhabitants from the unnatural elements of the world. As we entered the Hotel and explored the city of Ariccia, I was even more satisfied to learn that Italians were a very happy, friendly culture. Older men shook hands in the courtyard while smiling politely in our direction. Concierges and waiters smiled at our lack of knowledge of the Italian language and laughed with our efforts. The Italian culture accepted us.


The Splendid Chigi Palace where our classes are held.

Part of this acceptance came hand in hand with the city of Ariccia allowing us the privilege to study in the beautiful Chigi Palace. The Chigi family is an extremely important family of Italy. Among the numerous properties owned by them was the Chigi Palace in Ariccia. Francesco Petrucci, one of the top Bernini experts of the world, takes time out of his busy schedule and joyfully (as Italian demeanor tends to reflect) shows us around the extravagant Palace with all its virtues and excellence. By learning about the past we are able to understand the present and at times the future. Italians have come a long way since the Chigi family acquired the Palazzo and lands in the 1500s. For one, arranged marriages were a must. In today’s culture, as we know, marriages are left for love and affection. In the days of the past, Chigi members and other prominent families alike were forced into arranged marriage in order to maintain their wealth.

The 2007 Spring CHS @ AU in Italy group in our classroom inside the Chigi Palace.


The Chigi family had a lot of influence in the Italian way of life. An example of this is authority figures, such as the Pope, being leant money by the Chigi family. In exchange for this favor the Chigi family gained more power and connections. This act is not unlike dealings that go on in today’s world.

While we explored the Chigi Palace I gazed into the expressive eyes of the paintings around me realizing that although many years have passed since their existence their eyes saw much of what we still see today. The “room of beauties” where the most beautiful women’s portraits were hung show that pride and physical attributes were important then and still are today. The portrait of the man with his elaborate robe and dominating stature reflect that of vanity and being accepted in society. These paintings, though hundreds of years old, are now part of our every day life in the Chigi Palace. Faces reflecting lives lived so long ago now to be learned and shared with eight enthusiastic Auburn University students.


Lauren Silverstein, Kristen Wilson and Colleen Williams in front of one of the many faces that grace the walls in the Chigi Palace.