First Friday Excursion - Attivita In Citta

Every Friday, the students taking AP Calculus and/or AP Latin attend classes in the morning (8:10-10:00).  Then everybody gathers in the Salone to get instructions about the day's excursion.  It may be a fieldtrip somewhere around Viterbo or it may involved traveling out of town.  Yesterday's excursion was entitled "Attivita In Citta" or Activities in the City.

Today's excursion involved three places in or near the old city of Viterbo.  Students were divided up into three groups (A, B, C), rotating through each of the three places, learning interesting and cool things that they are responsible for as part of their studies in art history and archaeology.  I tagged along with group C and we started by going to the Prato Giardino, a small park just on the outside of The Wall, near Porta Fiorentina.  One of the interesting thing about this park is, while the park is small, it houses over 40 different kinds of trees.  Students had to use their maps to locate and identify several of these trees for which they'll present in their archaeology classes next week.  Another interesting fact is that the park is made up of several paths, as illustrated in the picture above.  Each path is named after a song sung by one of Italy's famous folk rock singers from the 60's.  His name escapes me now.

At the left, Profesora Ale Tuzi and Profesor Danielle Gatti lead the Prato Giardino excursion.  At the right, students are looking around for certain trees designated to them to discover.  Featured is one of my advisees, Akbar, sporting the stylish white blazer.



Group C, with whom I traveled.  From left to right:  (front) Paula, Rebeka, Nick, Roman, Jasper, Izzy, Emily, Gabriella, Corynne, Lydia, Sarah, Akbar, Rhyan, (back) Rachel, Nico, Kyle, Victoria,  and Garrison

Our second stop was the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Viterbo (National Etruscan Museum).  It's a museum that houses many Etruscan artifacts from 8th century to 1st century B.C., a time in history where central northwestern Italy was inhabited by the Etruscans, who had their own language and custums, prior to the formation and ultimate culture shift of the Roman Empire.  The picture on the right (above) shows  Profesor Santo Sammartino giving an introduction to the Etruscan culture in the courtyard of the Museum.  The museum is housed in what was a haven for the papacy during the 13th century.  Apparently the Emperor and the Pope were often at odds during this time, to the point where the Pope felt it necessary to seek a secure place of residence out of fear of being killed.  The picture at the left shows the courtyard of the papal shelter, called Rocca Albornoz, near the Piazza Rocca and the Porta Fiorentina.


At the left is a typical Etruscan sarcophagus with artwork on the side.  If you click on the picture you'll be able to see better the Etruscan inscription that runs along the side of the lid of the tomb.  At the right, kids are walking up the steps to the floor devoted to statues unearthed depicting different muses the Etruscans honored.

As we were walking up the stairs floor of the muses, I was struck by the beauty of the windows.  Here's one of them.  At the top of the stairs there was a door that led out to a terrace which overlook the old town of Viterbo.  As you can see (at the right) it was an other spectacular day in Viterbo!

Our last stop took us to La Chiesa di Santa Maria della Verità (The Church of St. Mary of the Truth).  It's a 15th century church that houses (see left) La Capella Mazzatosta (The Mazzatosta Chapel).  The pastor of the church gave us special permission to not only be in the church, because it's usually closed at this time of the day, but also we received special permission to enter this chapel.

There is a rich history to this church, especially as it pertains to Mary.  I could not possibly summarize it in just a few words.  If you click on the picture at the right, you can read up on the Verità that occurred, causing this church to be named after it.

Above, is a fresco painting within La Capella Mazzatosta, painted by Lorenzo da Viterbo.  It depicts, with much license by the artist, the marriage of Mary and Joseph.  Many of the guests shown in the painting are people from time the fresco was painted (mid 1400s), including Lorenzo da Viterbo himself.  He's shown on the far right in the brown cloak right behind the old woman in blue.  As Profesora Yvonne Mazurek was leading the group in this discussion, she mentions that many Italians tend to "tell stories" of how they believed history unfolded, like the marriage of Mary and Joseph.  Lorenzo da Viterbo charges that the men on the left, who all think they are better (and younger) suitors for Mary are absolutely appalled and bewildered that Joseph is the chosen one, while the women and the men on the left are not only at peace with what has occurred but are convinced, through their faith, that this union is God's will.

Left:  a sun beam on the pews of La Chiesa di Santa Maria della Verità.

Right:  A simple alter featuring Jesus on the Cross and a stained-glass window of Mary in the back.

Left:  Entrance of La Chiesa di Santa Maria della Verità from the inside.

Middle:  Jesus inside La Chiesa
Right:  Mary inside La Chiesa