Milan and some photos of Italy

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September 28, 2006 · Filed Under Italy, Milan

It is a lovely day today. Warm and sunny, but a little cloudy. I needed some books so I hopped on the bus and headed for the centre. While walking from the castle along Via Dante towards the centre I noticed the outdoor exhibition of photographs, I saw the same photos, I think, last year, but they were worth looking at again. These images have all been taken from the air and show some well and not so well known areas of Italy. Living in Milan, it is easy to forget just how beautiful a country I am lucky to live in. These images reminded me of this fact and made me feel happier too.

The images show landscapes which have been enhanced by man, or rather by Italians. I don’t know exactly why, but Italians seem to have the wonderful ability of being able to ‘blend’ buildings in with their surroundings, to the extent that the environment is enhanced. Of course, this is not always the case and much modern architecture does not sit well in the magnificence of the Italian countryside, however more often than not older villages and towns seem to have been designed to compliment their environments, not just to fill space with accommodation. Now, I say ‘designed’, but this may not be the case, it’s probably a case of the Italian way of seeing things which tends to be more in harmony with the natural environment than that of the old English habit of constructing masses of anonymous terraced houses just about anywhere and everywhere, for example. While there is a lot to be said for planning, there is also a lot to be say for fitting buildings in with their surroundings. Using materials which are light in colour seems to make a great difference too. The dull greyness of English stone can be depressing to say the least.

If you happen to find yourself in Milan over the next few days, then take a walk along Via Dante, as I mentioned before it runs from the castle towards the centre. I do think you will like the photos, with descriptions in English. They may even give you a few ideas for planning a tour of this spectacular country.

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Tags: Italian, Italy

Comments

11 Responses to “Milan and some photos of Italy”

Jan on October 2nd, 2006 1:00 am

you should’ve taken some photos of the photos
ciao!
Alex on October 2nd, 2006 11:13 am

You are right…. It would have been a good idea. If I find myself there in the next few days I shall exploit my camera phone.

A
a.c.t on October 2nd, 2006 2:36 pm

Hi Alex, found you through ‘Travel Italy’. I’m half Italian and have family living in Milan so it was great to come across your blog. It makes a nice change to read about Milan instead of the usual Italian places. The mention of Via Dante made me homesick!
Alex on October 2nd, 2006 3:34 pm

Hi A.C.T,
Thanks for dropping in, but I’m sorry about making you homesick! I’m glad to hear you like hearing about Milan, it is an interesting city. I, too, have Italian ancestors who were Milanese, I believe. As I thing I have said before, I’ve sort of come back to my roots!
Where are you in the UK (your ip is English, I think)?

All the best,

Alex
a.c.t on October 2nd, 2006 5:42 pm

Hi Alex,
I’m in London. I try to get out to Milan at least once a year. It’s noce to hear somebody singing Milan’s praises as most things you hear are usually negative. By the way, I’m also an English teacher and started my teaching career at British Institutes in Monza.
Alex on October 2nd, 2006 8:56 pm

Small world - in reverse! a.c.t, I came out here to teach English, whereas you went to the UK to do the same. I shall read your blog - to try to find out how you ended up in the Smoke!
PS I’m afraid I don’t always say nice things about Milan.
a.c.t on October 3rd, 2006 3:18 pm

Well, I suppose that’s inevitable. I shall have to endure….
Phil on October 8th, 2006 5:54 pm

Hi Alex,

The photographs on Via Dante were amazing. Do you happen to know whether they are taken from a book?

Thanks,

Phil.
Phil on October 8th, 2006 5:59 pm

Hi, Just found that the photos can be found in the book “Italy from Above”. Phil.
Alex on October 8th, 2006 8:32 pm

Hi Phil - and yes they are fantastic photos, and you can easily kill an afternoon gazing at them. Well done for finding a book of the photos, btw. I did not know one existed, but now I do, thanks to you, I may get a copy for my dad for Christmas.
Cheers!

Alex
Shine Qie on October 12th, 2006 9:48 am

I was there last week. I was very impressive by those photoes, and it is them making me feel that I definitely will come back to Italy again and again…….