Italy from the Inside

When history comes alive: Triest in Roman times

Arco di Riccardo-Italy From the Inside

I’ve always had a passion for archaeology. I still remember when I attended an excavation camp in Basilicata with a program by a University different than mine, when the professor in charge of the camp kindly said to me: “Ma chi te l’ha fatto fare ?” (Who made you do this?). He was probably referring to the fact that I had blisters on my hands since I was digging all day long without finding anything. Not one thing. Nevertheless that experience still has a very fond place in my memories, and my love for archaeology hasn’t changed at all.

Therefore when I learned that the municipality of Triest made a video about how the city looked during the Roman Empire, I was just thrilled. I literally dragged my kids with me and while they couldn’t care less about what they were watching (obviously), I was completely captivated.

The video, whose title is “La citta’ invisibile: frammenti di Trieste romana”, is a digital reconstruction of Triest in Roman times. It is extremely well done and worth watching.

This video also explains what the Arco di Riccardo (see photo above) used to be. For many years it was thought that it was a triumphal arch. However, now it is believed to simply be one of the gates leading to the heart of the city (the forum). After 2 millennia it is still there, still standing, and still beautiful.

Bumping into art. Everywhere.

Trieste's public library- Italy From The Inside

Something that makes Italy very unique is the fact that wherever you go you bump into something artistic. This, for example, is the lobby of the Public Library in Trieste. I walked in front of it so many times and yet I never stopped to admire it. But this time I did. And I’m sharing it with you.

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Going, going, going… gone: spending one school year in Italy

Yes, we have done it again; we are back in Italy for another extended period of time.

In 2009, after spending 4 months in Trieste, I promised myself that if life granted us the possibility to do it, we would have repeated that beautiful experience one more time. The priceless memories created during those Fall months have molded my kids’ lives in such a positive way, that planning for the next Italian adventure had become just a natural process.

So, here we are again: my kids are almost ready to start an Italian public school. Alessio will attend 4th grade in a scuola elementare, while Silvia will be in 7th grade in a scuola media. Are they happy? Let’s say that they are half way there, mixed emotions are what they are feeling right now. And it’s the same for me.

Even though at first this sounds like a fairy tale, it actually comes with some sacrifices: Paolo hasn’t been able to join us, the kids and I will see him once every 2 months or so, I had to put my business on hold (with the risk of losing part of it in the process), along with the college classes I was attending (and loving).

However, as they say in Italy “Chi non risica, non rosica”, which stands for “No risk, no gain”. I believe so, don’t you?