Italian geography

The final theme is the geography of Italy.

The Italian peninsula is stretch to Mediterranean.

It looks like a boot.

Italy is located in the middle of Mediterranean.

Italy has a Mediterranean climate.

Then,they have little rain during the summer.

Olives, grapes and oranges are grow well in this climate of Italy.

The total area of Italy is 301,728㎢.

83 percent of Italian territory is continent and peninsula.

17 percent of Italian territory is island.

Earthquake and vocanic activity are often occur in Italy.  

But I think that Italy is very attractive country.

I would really like to visit Italy some day!

Traditional Italian costumes

This theme is traditional costumes of Italy.

Traditional Italian costumes accepted the style of Greece and Etruria.

An upper garment is named 'Toga' and a lower garment is called 'Tunic'.

First, 'Toga' is the most typical Italian garment.

The word 'Toga' comes from meaning of roof.

This is a wrap-around garment.

Without distinction of sex or age, Italians wore the 'Toga' in early days.

But latterly, only men of hierarchy wore the 'Toga'. 

'Toga' was so uncomfortable, because Italians always had to hold on the left skirt of 'Toga'.

Also it is hot in the summer and cold in the winter.

'Tunic' is also typical Italian garment.

'Tunic' is a knee-length shirt.
It was so roomy clothes.
It changed to T-shaped dress in latterly.

'Tunic' is worn by anyone regardless of age and gender.

At first, it was so downdressed without adornment.

But, Aristocrats used a various ornament for signify the status.

It also used for pajamas.

Italian music & musicians

Italy has beautiful music and great musicians.

From now on, I'll investigate about the Italian celebrated musicians.

First, there is Antonio Vivaldi.

He was born in 1678, Venezia.

He was a classical composer and violinist.

He composed an opera as well as religious music.

Vivaldi's 'Four seasons' represent his violin concerto.

'Four seasons' is very famous all over the world.

I had a chance to hear his 'Four seasons' before.

 It was so splended.

If you don't mind, have a listen.

This is my favorite in 'Four seasons'
'Four seasons - Spring'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4kTei0XrCs&feature=fvst

Next, there is Nicolo Paganini.

He was born in 1782, Genova.

He was the best composer and violinist in 19th century.

He is called violinst of the devil. 

Because he had a brilliant performance skill.

He wowed audiences around the Europe with his fantastic peformance.

Please, have a listen.

This is Paganini's Violin concerto No.2 in B minor, Op.7

 'La campanella'.

('La campanella' means sound of bell in the French.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaxHZxvmSwQ&feature=fvst

Lastly, there is Giuseppe Verdi.

Verdi was born in 1813, Northern Italy.

He was an influential composer in 19th century.

He studied music in Milano.

He is famous for a comic opera.
His creative power was so great.

'La Traviata', 'Il trovatore' and 'Othello' are examples of his opera.

Above this oera, 'Requiem' is widely known the world.

This is Verdi's Requiem.
Giuseppe Verdi - Requiem - 'Dies Irae'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdT1Mw4QJT8

That's about it.
The next theme is Traditional Italian costumes.



Italian capital

Rome is the capital of Italy.

You know what they say, "When in Rome, as Romans do."

Like this, Rome is very famous. 

I think Rome is really romantic city.

Rome is an ancient city.

Then, there are many ancient structures in Rome.

  There are also many historic sites to see in Rome.



This picture is Colosseum.

The Colosseum is a massive amphitheatre in Rome.

It could accommodate up to 55000 people.

It is so amazing.

It is the largest historic sites in ancient Rome. 

It is one of the most famous tourist attraction and symbol of Rome.

This is Trevi fountain.

It is also famous tourist attraction in Rome.

This fountain has a legend.

The legend is that if you throw the coin into the Trevi fountain,

you can go back to Rome again.

I think it is very interesting.



This is Pantheon.

'Pan' of the Pantheon means 'all'.
'Theon' of the Pantheon means 'god'.

Therefore, Pantheon is the shrine that dedicated to all gods.

This structure is made of concrete.



Pantheon is representative structure that kept the circle shape.

It is so wonderful.

I'd really like to go to Rome!

Italian sport

The third theme is about Italian sport.



Italy always conjure up a soccer.

Soccer is the most popular sport in Italy.

Also, the representative sport of Italy is soccer.

I think Italian likes soccer even more than Korean dose.

And Italian loves their national soccer team as much as Korean does.

In 1990, the World Cup was held in Italy.

Italian soccer team is always considered as the likely winner.

Italy made it into the World Cup finals about 17 times.

So far, Italy has a record of winning four World Cup.

It is not too much to say that Italian soccer team is one of the best team in our era.

I think they are really wonderful.

Italian food

I like Italian food as much as Korean food.

Italian food is very delicious.

I love it.

Pizza and pasta are the most representative of Italian foods.

Also, pizza and pasta are one of the most popular foods in the world.



First, I'll talk about the Italian pizza.

Italian pizza is from the city of Naples.

Neapolitan pizza is the original of pizza.

The Neapolitan pizza is very crispy and light.

It is baked 15minutes in fire pot.

The fire pot is made of stone.

It is the characteristic of the Neapolitan pizza.

The major ingredients for Neapolitan pizza is red tomatoes, white

mozzarella cheese and green basil.

This is the Margherita pizza.

It is the symbol of the Italy.

Next, I'll talk about Italian pasta.

I love pasta. And I often eat pasta.

The staple food of the Italian is pasta.

There are over 600 different types of pasta in Italy.

Traditional Italian pastas are made of flour and water, sometimes with the addition of eggs, olive oil and vegetable juice. 

Spaghetti, lasagna, capellini, fetticcine and fusilli are some of the more popular varieties of Italian pasta.

There are also many types of pasta sauces.

For instance, carbonara, alfredo, puttanesca, marinara and so on.

Pasta in all sorts of sauces is very tasty.

Till now I talked about the Italian foods.

Next, I'll post about Italian sports.


 

The Italian flag

The flag of Italy is made up of three colors.

The color is green, white and red.

The Italian flag was made in imitation of the Tricolor(the French colours).

The meaning of  the Italian flag is liberty, equality and fraternity. 

It is same with the meaning of the Tricolor.

One legend has it that three colors are symbolize a beautiful territory(Green), a spirit of peace(White) and hot blood of patriotism(Red).

In 1796, the Corsican ogre was founded the republic of Italy and decide on the national flag with tricolor.

Whereafter, that flag is used to Risorgimento(the period of and the movement for the political unification of Italy in the 19th century).

In 1860, After unification, the Italian flag is decided on the national flag formally.

Since World War Ⅱ, he removed the crest of the flag and  reenact the flag of the republic on June 19, 1946.

That's all.

The second theme is Italian food.  I love Italian food.

You can look forward to next posting.