Final Destination...Italia

Our water carriage led us along the Mediterranean coast of France into the Italian city of Bologna and such a handsome city it was! Known for its university, especially its school of law it was filled with beautiful palaces and churches. Throughout the city one could find fine art admired by locals and tourists alike. While visiting the city, Sir Frederick and I were lucky enough to be entertained by Marquis Albergati, in his splendorous villa just outside of town. My dear bear leader  and I spent a few days being tended at hand and foot by the many servants of the Marquis and engaging in wonderfully interesting conversation with him. Soon we were ready leave and head towards Venice and as we were hoping to be there for carnival we wanted to make sure we left with plenty of time so that we would be able to find lodging at one of the more respectable inns and we knew it was usually crammed with thirty thousand visitors during the time of carnival.

Thus, after purchasing a Carriage, as we were planning on traveling by land throughout the Italian states. We thus headed towards Venice making as few stops as we possibly could, and as we were now in control of our itinerary we had complete autonomy to do as we pleased. Although I certainly enjoyed the privacy and took the time to focus on my Italian so as to enjoy the most of the carnival (and how confusing it could be now that I was used to speaking French!), I couldn’t help but think of Monsieur and Mme Mantionne and Mlle Renoir and I must admit I did miss their company and lively conversation. However, as soon as we arrived in Venice, the excitement of carnival was all around us. As we approached the city we could see the canals covered with rafts and barges, which were filled with fruit and vegetables.

    The carnival began on Twelfth Night, a Catholic holiday signifying the coming of the Epiphany and marks the beginning of the carnival season. Starting on this 6^th of January and as long as it lasted anyone wearing a black or white mask was welcomed anywhere in Venice. The days were spent watching numerous spectacles put on throughout the streets of the city such as acrobatic displays, bullfights and the ceremonial processions to which Italians as a whole are so devoted to and which are so popular throughout the Italian states. 

I must admit however, dear cousin, that many of the people in Venice during the carnival season were barely seen during the day, as they spent the days in bed or half asleep in a gondola, listless and dull from the night’s debaucheries.

Gambling soirees often took place in gaming-houses called Ridotti, which were in fact apartments in noblemen’s houses where all must wear a mask and one can meet ladies of pleasure as well as married women who feel protected by the mask which covers their identities and thus allows them to partake in all of the diversion of carnival (however, please beware as the same soirees are also attended by the husband or his spies!). The evening however provided opportunity for the men to make love to a lady of pleasure or the masked wife of an acquaintance by taking off with her to some out of the way corner no one was aware of.

    It is quite common to keep a mistress among Venetians, and those who cannot afford to keep one of their own often join with a few friends and keep one together. The concubines of the nobility, after they are done with them, then become courtesans, and the streets are full of them. Noblewomen, seeking to keep her sons from falling into the arms of such common harlots would often contract the services of the young daughter of a poor neighbor to become the bedfellow of her son for a sum and when he is done with her she will also become a courtesans. It is not difficult to see why Venice is known as the ‘brothel of Europe.’ There is a saying among the people that visit that here you have to beware of the four P’s – the pietra bianca (slippery white stone of the steps up to the 450 bridges), theprete (priest), pantaleone (church), and, most of all, the putana (whore).

The low reputations of Venice do not end there however, as it is also known as being one of the dirtiest and smelliest cities in the Continent. Sir Frederick explained that the city lacked a system for cleaning the Channels and the filth heaped up in corners by the bridges which was only collected occasionally by country people from neighboring islands in bottomed boats. I must also tell you that the filth was not limited to the canals but could also be found along the streets and even churches. However, it was obvious that the locals did not bother themselves at all with this issue, despite the fact that they contributed a fair share to the problem.
         The grandiose of the city cannot be denied, despite it’s many faults and the carnival celebrations certainly provided great entertainment for tourists and locals alike. Graceful building along the Grand Canal and the church of Santa Maria della Salute are among what will stay in my mind as the most memorable of the city. Though I know that for many of my counterparts the Arsenal proved quite attractive. But dear cousin I will assure you that what you will remember most of this intriguing city are its equally intriguing people, but I will ruin none of the mystery for you as I am sure you will soon discover for yourself.

    After a few weeks in the city, Sir Frederick and I continued our journey towards Rome, by way of Florence. But first we would cross the Apennines, an ordeal comparable to crossing the Alps. Lasting two long and arduous days I must say it has been by far the hardest experience of the trip and one which I would soon rather forget. However, on the other side awaited enchanting Florence and classic Rome.
    Florence was certainly quite a charming city, one of the most agreeable we had encountered throughout our journey. Upon arriving in the city we first looked for a respectable inn and were lucky enough to secure lodgings at a most popular and quite lovely one on the left bank of the Arno, opposite Palazzo Corsini. Kept by an Englishman it was known for being a meeting-place for our countrymen and one was certain to find there someone from back home at all times.
    Although the city was lovely, and one would certainly never be bored as there was always something to do in or around the city, it must be noted that the locals though polite enough to us foreigners rarely held parties for us. Unlike their counterparts throughout most of Europe, the most exciting activity one could expect to be invited to was a card party and only a lemonade, tea or coffee would be served.
Florence represents the artistic and scientific soul that the Renaissance period stamped over all central Europe. It was in this city where the most famous artists and scientists exposed or created their ideas. Modern banking and trade techniques were born and powerful families like the Medicis, sponsored different artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and Donatello.
    The most notorious architectural place of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore, or better known as the Duomo. Other sites include the basilica of San Lorenzo, which is the burial place of the patriarchs of the Medici family where you will be left in awe at the colors and stones that decorate the tombs along with the Uffizi gallery where the major Renaissance paintings, works and Roman sculptures are exposed. As I know your passion for art I am quite sure you will enjoy Firenzi as one can find fine mosaic works throughout the many chapels and palaces.
    After spending some time in Florence, Sir Frederick and I began arranging for our journey to Rome as we wanted to make sure we were there for the celebrations of Holy Week. And right we were in wanting so for the experience is unlike anything I can describe to you(There is so much to be seen here in Rome! I will arrange a letter to be send to my sisters, as she specially requested a letter about Rome with all the details on Galleries and places on my Journey through this inspiring city) . Despite being a religious festival you cannot imagine how Romans crowd the streets during the celebrations and the excitement that is felt in the streets. Words will do no justice and I know you will soon be here and will better understand what I am trying to convey. The unfounded worries of the Inquisition are nothing to concern yourself over at this time as many protestants visit the city during the religious festivities and although many chose to do so in disguise, very few of the ones who not hide their identities have any kind of inconvenience. Do not miss this experience my dearest cousin, believe when I tell you it is like no other.

While Rome’s history is fresh in my mind I would like to give the most valuable information for you to keep in mind, although I am sure you will discover this and much more during your visit. Rome is Florence's sister city and is characterized for its vast classical ruins as well as the architecture and works inherited from the renaissance period. One of the symbols of Rome is the Colosseum (70-80 AD), the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire and still a majestic edifice. The most impressive masterpiece of Renaissance architecture in Rome is the Piazza del Campidoglio by Michelangelo, along with the Palazzo Senatorio, seat of the city government. It is considered to be the European city with the most beautiful and majestic public squares, most of them built during the 17th century. During your visit you must make sure not to miss under any circumstance the very important monuments of ancient Rome: Roman Forum, The Domus Aurea, The Pantheon and the Trajan's Column.
Dearest Alfres I so wish you had come along with me on this journey! So much I have seen, so much I have experienced, so much I wish to share with you. And the adventure is only beginning!(Yesterday I finished my letter on food and Etiquette on our Motherland, France and Italy  I will arrange so I cab be send tomorrow, you will read how different French, Italians and English can be.) I am not even finished telling you about Rome and the rest of Italy lies straight ahead along with the Low Countries. Yet I better send this letter to you now, lest you think I have forgotten about you! Or have traded you for a vivacious Italian girl! The time apart sees like an eternity and so much has changed since I last saw yet you are my dear cousin and the bond we share will never change, and I am reasurred by thinking that you will soon embark on this same journey and one day we will be able to exchange experiences as we use what we have learned on this journey for the benefit of our country and the lessons learned to aid the foreign relations with neighboring nations.