L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 12 L'Italo-Americano I t a l y , a c o u n t r y renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, is home to countless well-known landmarks and attractions. H o w e v e r , i t a l s o h a r b o r s a m u l t i t u d e o f l e s s e r - known gems, each with its o w n u n i q u e s t o r y . L e t ' s e m b a r k o n a j o u r n e y t o uncover five such "secrets" hidden in plain sight in some of Italy's most famous cities. Our first stop is Turin, a place known for its refined a r c h i t e c t u r e a n d c u i s i n e . Here, in the heart of the city, stands the Real Chiesa di San Lorenzo, a masterpiece o f B a r o q u e a r c h i t e c t u r e . Designed by Guarino Guar- ini, an architect and passion- ate astronomer, the church is an exquisite expression of the fusion of art, science, and Faith. Its radial chapels, each featuring an oculus, remain in darkness for most of the year. However, during the Spring and Fall equinoxes, a specta- cle unfolds: sunlight streams through the dome, illuminat- ing hidden frescoes within the chapels themselves. These frescoes come alive under the celestial spotlight, revealing intricate depictions of divine figures. An ingenious design indeed, which not only aston- ishes visitors but also under- scores a profound message of Faith: it is a reminder of the celestial order that governs o u r w o r l d a n d t h e d i v i n e light that guides our path. Next, we journey to the f a s h i o n c a p i t a l o f t h e world, Milan. Amidst the h u s t l e a n d b u s t l e o f t h i s vibrant city, a surprising secret lies in plain sight. On the façade of the majestic D u o m o , a f a m i l i a r f i g u r e stands tall: it's a statue that bears an uncanny resem- blance to America's Statue of Liberty. But this isn't a mere imitation, it's a piece of art with its own history and significance. Carved into the cathedral's façade above the central door, this sculpture, known as La Legge Nuova or "The New Law," dates back to 1810. Created by sculptor Camillo Pacetti a good seven- ty years before its famous counterpart in New York, Milan's Lady of Freedom shares striking similarities with its relative in New York: the raised torch, the head- band, and even the tablets it holds in its hand. But was La Legge Nuova the inspiration behind Bartholdi's design? Well, theories abound. Some argue that Bartholdi had the Colossus of Rhodes in mind, while others point to the San Carlone of Arona. Others still mention the Statue of Liberty of Poetry in Florence's Basili- ca of Santa Croce. O u r j o u r n e y c o n t i n u e s t o P a l e r m o , w h e r e t h e Palazzina Cinese, or Chi- nese Pal ace, awaits. This unique architectural gem, n e s t l e d w i t h i n t h e P a r c o della Favorita, blends Orien- tal and Western design ele- ments. It served as a summer residence for King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, who was captivated by the allure of Chinese art. The palace, with its intricate decorations and l u s h g a r d e n s , o f f e r s a glimpse into the king's fasci- nation with the exotic. One of its most intriguing features is the "mathematical table" in the dining room: designed by architect Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia, this table allowed dishes to be served immedi- ately from the lower floor, a clever invention that added to the palace's charm. Can you imagine the king hosting lavish parties in this exotic palace, far from the prying eyes of the court? In Florence, a city syn- onymous with the Renais- sance, we find a peculiar phe- n o m e n o n k n o w n a s t h e R i f r u l l o d e l Diavolo or "Devil's Whirl." This refers to a sudden gust of wind that sweeps through the Piazza del Duomo, seem- ingly out of nowhere. Local legend attributes this myste- rious wind to the devil him- self, who is said to be wan- dering around the cathedral, unable to enter due to its sanctity. The legend tells of a priest who tricked the devil i n t o w a i t i n g o u t s i d e t h e cathedral while he escaped, leaving the devil sighing in f r u s t r a t i o n , c r e a t i n g t h e whirlwind that still blows in the piazza to this day. F i n a l l y , w e a r r i v e in Rome, where a slice of England awaits exploration. Built around 1909, in the Flaminio neighborhood, la Piccola Londra, or "Little London" was an experiment in city planning. Rome, with ambitions to become a mod- ern European capital, was expanding outside the Aure- lian walls and the Flaminio neighborhood was the first to be developed under this plan. A r c h i t e c t Q u a d r i o P i r a n i decided to test out a very un- Roman design and created a row of small, independent houses, each with stairs lead- ing up to the front door and gardens in the back - exactly the kind of houses you might hope to find in London. W a l k i n g t h r o u g h t h i s neighborhood, one can't help but feel transported to anoth- er world, right in the heart of Rome. The pastel-colored houses, the Victorian street lamps, and the tiny gardens create a picture-perfect set- ting that bel ies its ur ban location: a slice of London in Rome. These hidden treasures, scattered across Italy, offer a unique perspective on the country's rich culture and they remind us that there's a l w a y s m o r e t o d i s c o v e r , even in the most familiar of places. So, the next time you find yourself in one of these cities, why not venture off the beaten path and uncover the secrets that lie in plain sight? After all, isn't the thrill of dis- covery what makes travel truly enriching? Florence, Piazza del Duomo: here, legends say, peculiar gusts of wind are nothing more than the Devil sighing (Photo: Angelo Cordeschi/Dreamstime) GIULIA FRANCESCHINI Five cities, five secrets you may not expect Milan's own Statue of Liberty, the "Legge Nuova" (Photo: Vladimir Korostyshevskiy/ Dreamstime) ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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