Fav Reads On Italy This Week: Feb 28

Favorite Reads on Italy (FRI) is a weekly roundup published on Fridays featuring interesting articles, fascinating experiences, and handy resources that I’ve come across that week.

Postcard from Italy: Bernini’s columns, St. Peter’s Square

This week’s roundup includes recovering a stolen sculpture dating to 200 A.D, desolate villages in Italy facing extinction, Carnival celebrations, and more.

Culture and Travel

Ancient Roman sarcophagus worth $4 million stolen more than 30 years ago to be returned to Italy by NY Daily News – Great news that this stolen marble sculpture dating back to 200 A.D will be returned to Italy.

Rome’s inspiring Baroque sights by Rick Steves via The Chicago Tribune – Everywhere you look in Rome, there is evidence of Bernini’s brilliance in the many stunning sculptures, architecture, fountains, piazzas and more.

Verona’s Juliet statue removed after continued damage by love-seeking tourists by PBS Newshour – Apparently a must for visitors to Verona and so much so that the statue has been damaged. The statue is now in a museum where it will be restored and displayed.

Pristine but desolate, the Italian villages facing extinction by Reuters – Heartbreaking news but many towns in Italy will soon suffer the same fate due to longer life expectancy, low fertility rates, and the economic crisis. That said, these towns are worth exploring now!

Milan Fashion Week Fall 2014: Prada, Fendi and Katy Perry by CBS News – Covering the highlights of Milan Fashion week.

Celebrating Easter in the Eternal City by Huffington Post – It’s never too early to start planning as it will be especially because of the double Canonization on April 27, 2014, the day on which the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy.

8 Oscar Winning Cities in Italy by Select Italy Blog – Great post showcasing cities and towns that have been “the setting for an Oscar- winning Italian motion picture”. In bocca al lupo to La Grande Bellezza!

Ancient catastrophe brought to life: How accurate Is Hollywood’s “Pompeii”? by CBS News – Don’t mistaken this for a documentary as it is a movie.  However, scientists have said it “stays relatively true to reality”.

Food and Drinks

Carnival in Tuscany: 4 addictive desserts by Tuscanycious – Carnival is also about being tempted by sweet treats. Here are links to some delicious treats.

Castagnole alla Romana by Turismo Roma – Of all the Carnival sweets, I have a hard time resisting castagnole. It’s especially problematic as my neighborhood bakery were I get my bread makes fabulous castagnole. Can’t get them? Here’s a recipe.

Piedmont Part I: Barolo by Palate Press – Exploring a renowned wine region in Italy, the article highlights “some of the off-the-beaten-track producers quietly shaping the region’s future”. Here are more great insights into the wines of Piedmont.

How to Drink like an Italian by Walks of Italy Blog – There is more than just wine in Italy! You’ll be surprise at the variety of choices ranging from excellent craft beer to cocktails to digestivo. Cheers!

Life in Italy

Carnival in Italy, colorful celebrations between fun and tradition by Chasing The Unexpected – It’s Carnival time and Angela, who grew up in Sardinia, shares some photos from each Carnival from Venice to the one in Putignano in Puglia.

Have you come across any great reads or resources on Italy this week? Share them with us in the comments below.