Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Oh gosh, Dome it! Charity events for the restoration of Milan's Duomo

Yikes! The centuries-old pinnacles and central tower of Milan's Duomo are at risk of collapse!

While the pinnacles of this particular church, unlike those usually seen on a medieval church, are not particularly helpful for the stability of the church, the central tower over the crossing of the nave and the transept is...and it is becoming unstable. Help!...More......

The Duomo, begun at the end of the 14th century, is very sensitive to shifts in the underlying earth, and everyday maintenance, let alone extraordinary restoration and repairs, cost an enormous humongous cosmically-sized bundle o' cash, so there are charity events planned to raise these emergency funds.

One looks particularly intriguing to me.

On Monday, the 2nd of July, at 8:45 P.M. they are holding Ildebrando Pizzetti's opera, "Assassination in the Dome" (Assassinio nel Duomo, in Italian) inside the Duomo!

Ticket prices are very reasonable, and range from E. 10 to E. 50 for this extraordinary event.

If opera isn't up your alley, and you'd like to enjoy the twinkling gems of Milan's lights at night from the open-air terrace on the roof of the Duomo, there will be a prose version a few nights later at 9:30 P.M. on the 5th of July.

For more info and tickets, see their web site (in English, yeah!): http://www.duomomilano.it/?lang=en.

This is as good a place as any, as people start filtering into Milan for vacation, to remind you that, when you go into a church as a tourist, PLEASE scour the inside of the place until you find their donation box marked "Per il restauro della chiesa" ("For the restoration of the church"). These funds are used for restoration and even everyday maintenance. You're there enjoying the cleanly swept floors and general electric lighting, after all. Be a sport. Contribute.

I took this photo on the 19th of June, 2006, at about 2:45 P.M.

Enjoy!

Friday, June 22, 2012

National public transportation strike, today...again...

Yet another national public transportation strike, today, after things had been relatively calm for awhile.

Conditions vary from place to place....More......

Medium- and long-distance trains probably will run, though on reduced capacity. Local intercity trains (used a lot by commuters, who need to go to work, folks!) will suffer, greatly, but it will affect tourists, too, especially if you had meant to take a day trip.

City transportation is quite iffy.

Milan's (typical) strike timetable: everything should be running until 8:45 A.M., then will shut down until 3 P.M. A small window of time will let people skeedadle home from work early, if possible, then the strike starts up, again, at 6 P.M., 'til the end of service in the wee hours of the morning.

Sorry!

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Yeah, the season of open air dining is just around the corner!

In truth, it should be here, already, but the weather is getting weirder and weirder.

The ads for these places caught my eye, recently, so here they are, with a few (unverified) tidbits from their own texts:...More...

DOWNTOWN MILAN (behind the Broletto, near to the Duomo)
"Al Mercante" - Piazza dei Mercanti, 17
Closed Sunday - reservations encouraged - tel. +39.02.805.2198
http://www.ristorantealmercante.it
'Lombard specialities and traditional Italian cooking reign, though a bit of fantasy peeks out, too. The menu is changed daily to take advantage of food in-season. Outdoor dining available also in the evening, in one of the most beautiful and evocative corners of Milan.'

SOUTHERN RING OF ERSTWHILE SPANISH WALLS (Porta Ticinese, near Piazza XXIV Maggio)
"Be Bop" - via Col di Lana, 4
Open every day - reservations encouraged - tel. +39.02.837.6972
http://www.ristorantebebop.com
'Traditional Italian cooking available also in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free versions. Internal romantic veranda open all year.'

NAVIGLI (CANAL) AREA
"Erba brusca orto con cucina" - Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 286
Open from Wednesday to Sunday (Sunday Brunch from noon to 3 P.M.) - tel. +39.02.8738.0711
http://www.erbabrusca.it
'Unique and precious locale located at the border between countryside and city, in this restaurant are served herbs and vegetables grown by the restaurant, itself. Everything else, chosen with care, is organic. Even the atmosphere is unique: homey, but international. The menu offers refined, authentic, tasty and innovative dishes. Seating with a view of the restaurant's garden.'

NEAR MILAN (in San Donato, not far from the Chiaravalle Abbey, which also deserves a visit)
"La corte miridea" - Via L. Calabresi, 42 (Borgo Bagnolo, San Donato Milanese)
Closed Saturday for lunch - reservations encouraged - tel. +39.02.5187.9639
http://www.lacortemiridea.it
'More than a restaurant, it is really and truly an antique village with elegant rooms, a splendid portico and an ample garden, everything necessary for a romantic evening, or for an important appointment. The cooking specializes in fresh seafood, and the menu is changed daily to take advantage of the freshest ingredients.'


Since I haven't been to any of these places, I can't vouch for the veracity of their statements, but you can! If you go, comment on the food, ambiance, services and prices (nothing was listed in the advert, sorry!), below, so others can benefit from our experience.

Just a reminder that I get absolutely no payment or kickbacks for mentioning anything commercial.

Enjoy!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

First the pope, now the Dalai Lama: June 27-28, Mediolanum Forum

Are you a follower of the Dalai Lama? Just interested (for whatever reason) to hear this famous man? Fork over the Euro (renting the stadium costs money even to monks), and set aside the 27th and the 28th of June for the Mediolanum Forum.

Want more details?...More......

Check the website in English (yeah!)...some of the seating already is sold out: http://www.dalailama-milano2012.org/eng/index-en.html.

Helicopters are buzzing overhead...I presume the streets of Milan are fairly free of traffic, today. The pope's in town, and I'm purposefully staying out of the center. Gorgeous day, so I think I'll go for a walk, maybe even take my camera. It's been tooooooo long since I've been able to do that. So, check back in the next few days! I may have some new photos of wonderful Milan for you!

Enjoy!
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