Mosaics, ruins and volcanoes

Floor mosaic in the Vatican

Mosaics, ruins and volcanoes

When we were learning about mosaics last year, did we talk about how many mosaics there are in Italy?  I saw the most beautiful mosaics when I travelled through Italy.  In Rome especially, there were mosaics everywhere.  

A mosaic wall in St Peter's Dome

In St Peter’s Basilica, the big church in Rome, has art work on every wall and ceiling.  All the art was mosaic!  Some of the mosaic tile was so small you couldn’t believe it was mosaic, it looked like paintings.  When you got close you could see the tiles.  A lot of it was real gold!!!  I’ll attach some photos so you can see the incredible art work.

Close up of the mosaic above

Beware of Dog mosaic in Pompeii ruins

Chariot ruts on a street in Pompeii

I also visited the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii.  Pompeii was completely covered by about 6m of ash and pumice stone when the volcano behind it erupted in 79 AD.  When I was in grade six I read a story called, “The Dog of Pompeii.”  It was a great story and when I got to the ruins of Pompeii I went to a house with a mosaic of a dog in the front entranceway.  The mosaic is black and white and the dog looks mean, all growling.  Underneath the dog it says “Cave Canem” which means “Beware of the Dog” in Latin.

The buried remains of the city of Pompeii were not found until 1749, and then archaeologists started excavating, or digging 

out the site.  The ruins are amazing.  We walked through the old city streets for the whole day!  On the roads there are ruts where the chariots used to drive!  It was very cool.

The ampitheatre in Pompeii--dug out of 6m of ash and pumice!

Mt Vesuvius

More Mt Vesuvius

Behind Pompeii is Mount Vesuvius.  That is the huge volcano that erupted in 79 AD.  Since then, Vesuvius has erupted lots of times, with the most recent eruption being in 1944.  We went up to the top of Mt. Vesuvius and walked around the rim.  We could look in the crater and we saw little wisps of smoke coming up through the crater.  Mt. Vesuvius is still active and could have another eruption, but there are usually warning signs and most likely people could be evacuated before the eruption happened.  So we felt safe enough going up there.  It was also very cool.  The rock all around was hardened lava.  It was either pitch black or bright red.  It was really interesting.  I’m glad I went.

Italy so far!

The Ponte Vecchio at dusk

Hello from Italy!

Italy is a wonderful place!  In my travels here so far I have stayed right on the Mediterranean Sea in Northern Italy.  Our campsite there was so beautiful that we spent a lot of time just hanging out.  My daughters had to do school work while we were there, but it was so nice out that they didn’t mind doing that.  We sat at a picnic table on the seashore and did our work while enjoying the sun.

Even though Italy is a northern country, our campsite had all kinds of palm trees.  The sea keeps the air warm so that palm trees can grow here.  

Ferrari Formula One Race Cars

After our time at the seashore, we went to a city called Modena.  It is in Modena that great Italian sports cars are made.  I got to go into the Lamborghini factory and got a tour.  I saw how they make these special cars.  When I get back to June Avenue, I think for simple machines we will have to make Lamborghinis and Ferraris instead of just cracker box cars!  (I also went to the Ferrari museum and factory).

Near the centre of Italy is a wonderful city called Florence.  I know that in grade 4 you study about medieval times, but do you know what came after medieval times?  It was the Renaissance.  Renaissance means “re-birth” and it is all about coming out of medieval times and developing art, culture and science.  Florence was where the Renaissance began.  

Florence has the best gelato!

We saw tons of beautiful art work here, including Michelangelo’s statue of “David.”  We also visited science museums about Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo.  I saw models of tons of simple machines that Da Vinci designed--they were cool.  I’ll put some pictures of them in.  

Florence also has a neat bridge called “Ponte Vecchio”  which means “Old Bridge”  (I think--check with Mrs Pennesi on that).  That bridge has stores built all along it, and lots of them are cantilevered off the side of the bridge.  Ask Mrs. Stockton what cantilevered means.  

Today I am on the highway heading to Rome.  There will be lots to see and do there, so we’re quite excited.  Are you doing any fun stuff for the holidays?  Are you having a ho-ho-holiday countdown like we did last year?  

Take care, from,

Mrs. McMillan