Photo a day - Trite and touristy

OK, so everyone who has ever been to Pisa has a photo like this. We couldn't resist it ourselves. Photo taken in April 2010.

Photo a day - Gladiators

April 25 is Liberation Day in Italy. It's a holiday commemorating the country's liberation from fascism toward the end of World War II. On Liberation Day 2010, a gladiatorial show was put on in one of the less central neighborhoods of Rome. The stars of the show were these men dressed as centurions. Also interesting and entertaining, though, were people dressed in togas and other ancient Roman garb, explaining how various tasks (weaving, stone carving, blacksmithing, and the making of medicines, for example) were performed in those days. The whole thing took place right next to some genuine 2000-year-old Roman ruins. Pretty cool.

Photo a day - Trend-setting Etruscans

These beads look a whole lot like the ones we saw, appreciated and bought in Ghana. However, they are pictured as displayed in Villa Giulia, a museum of Etruscan artifacts in Rome. Hmm. The Etruscans were around as far back as the 7th century BC, but similar looking beads are still being made today. Those Etruscans sure were trend setters.

Photo a day - Pork city

Pork products are immensely popular in Italy, and certain towns are known for the high quality of their pork and salumi. The porchetta (roast baby pork) of Nemi and some of its neighboring towns is very well regarded. This shop in Nemi probably reaps the benefits of that fine reputation. Photo taken in February 2010.

Photo a day - Medusa fountain

Drinking fountains abound in Italy, and many are beautiful. Here's one topped with a figure of Medusa. It's in Nemi, one of the towns outside of Rome collectively known as the Castelli Romani. We went there in February 2010.

Photo a day - Parco dei Mostri

Parco dei Mostri is a sculpture garden of monsters in Bomarzo. Photo taken in February 2010.

Photo a day - the Yellowstone of Italy?

Near Naples, there is an area of volcanic activity called Campi Flegrei. Solfatara di Pozzuoli is a dormant volcano there. You can walk around in its shallow crater to see and smell all the fumaroles and bubbling mud pots, which reminded us of Yellowstone National Park. Photo taken in February 2010.