A Gondola Education

If you are looking for the perfect spot to begin your gondola education, this narrow alley in the Cannaregio district of Venice is a good place to start. It's called Calle Pignate, and it's not easy to find--but it's worth the search! The second to the last door on the right, just short of the Misericordia canal, is the entrance to a remarkable little museum, the Arzanà Association's squero Casal dei Servi. A squero is a workshop where gondolas and other small watercraft are made. The Arzanà Association focuses on the rescue and restoration of the unique Venetian boats. 

The squero Casal dei Servi was in business by the end of the 15th century, and operated until 1920. There are a few other squeri in Venice, and some of them still make gondolas by hand. Squero Casal dei Servi is the oldest of Venice's existing squeri. This simple wooden building was purchased by Arzanà in 1996 to serve as its primary office and to house its extensive collection of artifacts and tools relating to the boat trade-- as well as a number of vintage gondolas and other classic Venetian boats. 

I visited the Arzanà museum with my friends Laurie and Chris on a sunny day in June of 2017. Our tour began in the interior of the museum, and ended in the workshop. The workshop was a sensory delight! The smell of old wood permeated the room. Sunlight reflecting off the canal shone through the slatted wood gate, flooding the low-ceilinged space with light.

Our guide was Germano Da Preda, the "keeper" of the squero Casal dei Servi. He explained the function of the squero and the anatomy of a gondola, starting with the body of the boat, which is traditionally constructed with 8 types of wood! Solid oak for the sides, lightweight fir for the bottom, malleable cherry for the struts, larch for water resistance, bendable walnut for the frame, linden for reinforcement, mahogany for trim, and elm to bend alongside the walnut. Gondolas are rowed with a single oar that rests on a unique oarlock, called the forcola. The ferro is a uniquely shaped metal piece attached to the gondola's bow. It acts as a counterweight to the gondolier, who rows from the stern. The ferro also protects the gondola from damage--it's a bumper of sorts. We learned about the origin and evolution of this singular watercraft, and the traditions associated with it.

           vintage iron ferro                            Germano Da Preda                         oars and forculas

Every inch of the squero's walls are covered with parts of gondolas and of other small Venetian vessels. There were oars, sails, forculas, lanterns, ferros--plus boat models and equipment and tools related to Venetian boats and the art of building them. This was one of the highlights of our stay in Venice, giving us a new appreciation of Venice's unique watercraft.

Visits to the Squero museum are by appointment only: https://arzana.org/request-a-visit/

Enriched with our new knowledge of the history and art of gondoliering, we were anxious to have a ride in one of these uniquely Venetian boats. I had searched around online for the perfect gondolier, and I believe I found him! He calls himself Lucky Luca. He launches his craft from a canal near Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, also in the Cannaregio district. Luca's "gondola" isn't really a gondola--it's a sandolo. The sandolo is another uniquely Venetian boat, smaller and lighter than a gondola, and without the high metal ferro on its prow. But it was gondola-ish enough for us! Luca's sandolo was furnished with elegant, comfortable seats and its black finish was polished to perfection. The sandolo is a family treasure, passed down to him from his father. Luca was charming and informative throughout our relaxing canal tour. He described the significance of buildings we passed, and regaled us with stories of famous (and infamous!) visitors to Venice. We learned about the damage rising seawater levels are inflicting on the city's buildings. Listening to Luca talk about his beloved city as we glided along in his sandolo was pure pleasure--an unforgettable finish to our gondola education.

We had heard that "gondoliers do NOT sing for their passengers!" Disappointing news. But our gondolier (sandolier, really) did sing. Towards the end of our voyage Luca serenaded us. We were enchanted by this sweet man, singing his sweet song. 

                                                                           

                                                                              Perfetto.

To reserve a tour on Luca's sandolo, email him at: lucyluca6@hotmail.com

Tuscan Hill Towns: Circling "San Jimmy-Johnny" & Ascending to Volterra

San Gimignano

One September afternoon in 2015 my friends and I headed for San Gimignano, perhaps the most famous of the Tuscan hill towns. San Gimignano is easily recognized from a distance by the 13 medieval towers that rise from within its city walls. Originally the town had 72 of these tall towers, built as status symbols by prominent 14th century families to show off their wealth and power! San Gimignano (my friend Laurie dubbed it San Jimmy-Johnny) was mobbed with tourist vehicles on that day, and we couldn't find a parking spot! We circled the town walls twice, searching for somewhere to tuck our car, but all parking lots were full, as was the street parking. We gave up and set our sights for Volterra, a 40 minute drive west from San Gimignano. 

Volterra is perched high on a hilltop, with spectacular views in every direction. On the steep winding drive up to the town we happened upon a very cool sculpture- a giant circle that framed the picturesque hills in the distance. I later learned that it was created by Mauro Staccioli, a native of Volterra. 




Many Tuscan towns were built on hilltops during medieval times, when such a position gave a defensive advantage. Steep, narrow streets are the norm, and many of these towns are still surrounded by their high city walls.

tufa fossils

Volterra's streets were really steep, testing our leg muscles! They are paved with local tufa, a type of limestone. To our delight, we discovered that many of the pavers have fossils embedded in them! The ancient buildings are built with limestone, too, giving Volterra the appealing ochre color that bathes so many of the Tuscan towns.

Alabaster table in the Palazzo Viti 

Volterra is famous for another type of stone: alabaster. Inhabitants of this place have been carving alabaster since Etruscan times. The Guarnacci museum here has hundreds of cinerary urns fashioned from this stone as early as the 4th century BCE. We saw shops offering all kinds of things carved from alabaster, including lamp shades. In the Duomo there were alabaster windows that filtered in a soft dreamy light. Because alabaster is translucent, and can be cut very thin, it was used in medieval churches for small windows. We visited Volterra's Palazzo Viti, where we saw huge candelabras carved from alabaster, and rooms full of the rich furnishings that the alabaster trade afforded the family that once owned this wonderful place.  

Alabaster in Voterra: window in the Duomo, an alabaster workshop, alabaster candelabra in Palazzo Viti

In 1850 alabaster trader Guiseppe Viti bought his palazzo, which had been built by a Volterran nobleman at the end of the 16th century. Viti made extensive changes to the interior, and furnished it with items he bought on his extensive travels, and with plenty of alabaster treasures made in the Viti factory: tables, chandeliers, sideboards, frames, and candelabras. Viti's descendants still inhabit this fantastic place, and have opened 12 of its rooms to the public.

The Palazzo Viti is enormous! This long view through a number of rooms gives an idea of its size. 







At the far end, framed by the last doorway, was a curious figure...a creepy blue-headed, hand-less guy with baggy purple leggings. He appeared at the end of the self-guided tour (perhaps as a warning of what would happen to sticky-fingered tourists who tried to escape with a purloined souvenir of the palazzo:) He reminds me that in recent years, Volterra has become a magnet for fans of other creepy creatures. In the popular Twilight books written by Stephanie Meyer, Volterra is the ancient city inhabited by the most powerful coven of her fictional vampires, the Volturi. 

A Villa in Tuscany

Le Redi, in Quercegrossa

In September two friends and I rented this sweet villa called Le Redi in the village of Quercegrossa. It's perched on a hilltop, and the views from our terrace and windows were classic Tuscany! It was a relaxing, fun week. 

provisions from Fratelli Zanzobini

Chris and Laurie flew into Florence from Boston a day before I arrived. They shopped for provisions at the Mercato Centrale in Florence. My Florentine friend Massimo had recommended a great wine shop near the Mercato named Fratelli Zanzobini, and my friends took his advice and made "a few" purchases from the very helpful proprietor. 

On our first evening at the villa we drank at least TWO of these bottles:)


The villa was spacious and comfortable. We ate our dinners out most days, but one evening we hired a delightful lady named Elisa to cook for us. She made a delicious meal of pork roast and fresh local vegetables. There was also pasta, and a meravigliosa fruit tart for dessert. We enjoyed watching her prepare the meal, and of course we enjoyed eating it! Elisa also gave us lots of advice on where to shop locally, and what to see.

Every day we'd set out in the car on a new adventure. No matter where we went, we got lost! We had a GPS...sort of. It was supposed to work via iPhone. But the GPS was temperamental, and road signs were not always helpful!

This Italian road sign is a good descriptor
for the natives' wild & crazy driving style

We dubbed the Tuscan byways  "spaghetti roads," and prayed to all the Italian saints to help us find our destination. It took a while to get used to the Italian driving style: fast, aggressive, and ignoring all the rules. Stop signs are meaningless; tailgating and passing on curves is the norm...and there are LOTS of curves in the switchback Tuscan roads! Laurie was our fearless driver. She wielded that standard shift knob like a native Italian (she's of Italian descent), and gave those crazy Tuscan drivers some competition. 

Chris and Laurie in Montepulciano

I've known Chris and Laurie for a long time. Chris has been my friend since kindergarten, and she and I met Laurie in high school. We'd often spent weekends together, but never had a week-long adventure like this one. They were so much fun, perfect travel companions. We had a GREAT time together, driving all over the Tuscan countryside, exploring the ancient hilltop towns of Volterra, Montepulciano, and whatever else we bumped into on our daily viaggio. We also visited Florence and Siena. And we had lots of laughs, practicing Italian swear words on the insane drivers we encountered:) 

Yes, the Italians are crazy drivers. But they are also the nicest people you can imagine: friendly, generous, and welcoming. Molto simpatico. They are Italy's most precious asset. Italians love their wonderful country, and they are delighted when they hear that you love it, too.

At the end of our week together we vowed we'd return to Italy for another adventure. I look forward to enjoying more wonderful Italian scenery, food, wine, and sunsets together with these great ladies. Prima è meglio è: the sooner, the better.

Sunset at Le Redi

Prague: Veletrzni Palac (Trade Fair Palace)

The grim looking Veletrzni Palac

A disappointing experience in Prague was my visit to the Veletrzni Palac (Trade Fair Palace). This museum holds the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in the city. The artwork is housed in a huge, ugly grey hulk of a building that looks like a communist era construction. But it was built in the 1920s, in the avant grade "Functionalist" style.

The interior isn't much better- linoleum floors with industrial lighting...and color-wise, there's some strange stuff going on here: pink walls with pink labels for some exhibits- disturbing! There were some lovely artworks, but it seemed that they were few and far between.

A few gems: Gustav Klimt and Alfons Mucha

Detail from Slav Epic: Holy Mount Athos

The museum's saving grace is a cavernous gallery on the ground floor where Czech artist Alfons Mucha's impressive Slav Epic is displayed. Mucha created this series of monumental canvases between 1910 and 1928. The 20 paintings depict the mythology and history of Czechs and other Slavic peoples. 


This is a beautiful exhibit! Being almost alone in such a vast, silent space, surrounded by Mucha's massive, atmospheric paintings, was an amazing experience.

Alfons Mucha's Slav Epic

Colorful, Baroque Prague

sgraffito

We arrived in Prague on a dismal cloudy day in October. No problem. Even on a cloudy day, this lively city is colorful and cheerful! Its ornate baroque buildings are washed in a pastel rainbow of colors. Some buildings are decorated with a two-toned sgraffito technique (where a surface layer of plaster is incised to reveal a lower layer of plaster in a contrasting color). Even the sidewalks are decorative, cobbled with patterns in shades of granite. Every neighborhood we explored was beautiful and well maintained. And there were crowds of people wherever we went, day and night. It's hard to imagine that this imaginative, spirited city was once under Communist rule.

Mosaic sidewalk patterns in old Prague

Prague is a very photogenic city. Ancient towers, interesting buildings, and scenic views abound. A walk along Prague's riverfront is delightful, so many lovely things to see! Our hotel was on the eastern side of the Vltava, the river that divides Prague. High on a hill on the opposite bank is the magnificent Prague Castle, an awesome sight when viewed from the river.

Entry gate to Prague Castle

St. Vitus Cathedral

Prague Castle, founded in the 9th century AD, is a huge complex of buildings that covers more than 18 acres. St. Vitus Cathedral dominates the castle and the skyline of the western bank of the river. The Castle has 3 large courtyards and a mix of buildings within its boundaries: palaces, churches, great halls, a monastery, towers, museums, art galleries, and the state apartments. Today, the president of the Czech Republic rules from the Castle.

Charles Bridge and its Old Town Bridge Tower, viewed from the Castle

Wallenstein Palace

Just below the Castle is the wonderful Wallenstein Palace and its gardens, created in the 17th century by Albrecht von Wallentstein. He was famous as the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial forces during the Thirty Years War. Albrecht only lived in this beautiful place for a year before he was assassinated by order of Emperor Ferdinand II, who suspected him of treason. Now the Wallenstein Palace is home to the Czech Senate.

Cerny's In Utero

There are statues everywhere in Prague...on rooftops, balconies, building corners, bridges, gates, and in the churches, of course. Many of them are from the baroque period, but Prague is famous for its contemporary public sculpture, too. Walking to the Old Town Square from our hotel we passed a 20 foot tall stainless steel sculpture of a naked woman, titled In Utero. It's the work of the Czech Republic's most famous contemporary sculptor, David Cerny. In Utero is an amusing, flashy counterpoint to its baroque surroundings.

Another of Prague's major tourist attractions is the Charles Bridge, named for King Charles IV, a 14th century emperor. Spanning the River Vltava, this 400+ year old concoction is decorated with 30 statues!

Crossing the Charles Bridge, heading for Prague's "Little Quarter."

St. John Nepomuk

One of the statues has a halo of 5 golden stars. This is the martyred St. John Nepomuk, who was thrown off the bridge in March of 1393- punishment for displeasing King Wenceslas IV. John's unique halo commemorates the 5 stars that hovered over the Vltava River on the night of his death.

The Old Town Hall's Astronomical Clock

Prague's history is littered with the untimely deaths of people being thrown off of or out of somewhere! In fact, there are incidents in Prague's history officially called The Defenestrations. This interesting term is defined as "an act of throwing someone or something out of the window." The first Prague Defenestration took place in 1419 when radical Czech Hussites (followers of murdered Czech religious hero Jan Hus) threw 7 city council members from the Town Hall's windows. Those who survived the fall were murdered by the angry mob below.  

Site of 2nd Defenestration

The Second Prague Defenestration happened at the Old Royal Palace of Prague Castle in 1618, the result of another religious disagreement. It ended on a happier note. The 3 Catholics who angry Protestants threw out of a second storey window at Prague Castle survived the fall. Catholics claimed that the men survived because they were caught by angels; Protestants insisted that their fall was cushioned by the pile of manure they landed on:)

U Fleku, a great way to end our Prague adventure!

On our last evening in the city we enjoyed a hearty roast pork and dumplings meal at Prague's Pivovar U Fleku (U Fleku Brewery), which was founded in 1499. This is a cozy, noisy place. Dark wood paneling lined the walls of our dining room, and an accordion player roamed between the tables singing traditional Czech songs. We sat at a long wooden table with other diners. The food was great, as was the signature U Fleku dark beer. 

The Coolest Barber in Maastricht

The waiting room at Piet's

My husband needed a haircut. Our Maastricht friend Thieu recommended his own barber, Piet Andela. Piet's shop is in Kapoenstraat, a short walk from our apartment. From the outside it's pretty ordinary, but step inside and it's a whole different world! The waiting room contains some old stadium seats, and red and yellow chairs in the shape of hands. There were vintage kids' vehicles in the waiting room, too. That was just the beginning of Piet's eclectic collection...

Piet collects and refurbishes vintage juke boxes, and he has a few of them in the barbershop. There are a variety of sculptures on display, too, including a giant mechanized switchblade knife that is in constant motion. Against the opposite wall is an odd multi-armed object, looking like a prop from a science fiction movie. Piet explained that it was once used to dry hair, but the red lights were annoying to some of his customers so he no longer uses it. But he likes the way it looks, so it has become part of his collection.

 There's an old dental instrument cabinet, and a slot machine topped by a sign that says "What? Me Worry?" A curious Belgian "Eau de Cologne" dispenser hangs on the wall nearby, inviting passers-by to insert a Belgian franc to receive a refreshing spray of cologne! Other curiosities are displayed on table tops throughout the shop. 

The unifying theme here is simple: these are all objects that Piet likes. He is a very interesting guy, and the conversation is lively while he is cutting hair. His English is excellent, as well as his knowledge of American culture. During Jim's visit Piet chatted about a variety of topics, everything from the Dutch royal family to Keith Richard's taking offense that he was not knighted (as was his bandmate Mick Jagger). 

But the BEST thing about Piet Andela the barber is that he gives a GREAT HAIRCUT! Jim left looking much better than when he entered. Piet came to the door with us to say goodbye, and to invite Jim to return for another haircut before we leave Maastricht.