Tenuta Santa Elisabetta

Le Marche is the 2nd Region in Italy for Cleanest Beaches

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:30:00 +0000

The award, the Blue Flag, is given annually to beaches and marinas that satisfy a number of essential criteria covering aspects of:

Water Quality
Environmental Education and Information
Environmental Management
Safety and Services

The international Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) reported that has risen this year the number of Italian beaches to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag award for clean water and pristine sands.

Italian seaside resorts awarded a Blue Flag in 2013 were 135, four more than last year, for a total of 248 top beaches. Some 86% of last year's Blue Flag beaches were confirmed this year while nine new entries included resorts in Carrara, Tuscany, Francavilla al Mare in Abruzzo and a lake beach resort in Levico Terme, in the north-eastern Trentino-Alto Adige region. The northwest coastal region of Liguria has the cleanest beaches in Italy, 20, two more than last year, followed by the central Marche region with 18 and Tuscany with 17, one more than last year.

Pristine eco friendly beaches could be considered another reason to visit lovely Le Marche.

More infos on http://www.blueflag.org/

Learn Italian While Cooking Marchigiano with: La Cucina Delle Marche

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 15:35:00 +0000

The motivation is always the best incentive to make the enterprises the more impossible. An enterprise worthy of the approval of all your friends, achievable without leaving the kitchen at home, is certainly learning a foreign language. If you saw the movie Julie & Julia certainly you know the history of the legendary Julia Child, masterfully played by Meryl Streep, struggling with a tome on French cooking learning, with great satisfaction at the same time, the hostile language of the start.

If Italy is your favourite Country and you are looking for an emerging cuisine, than your choice must fall on Le Marche traditional recipes and "La Cucina delle Marche" is the book to achieve the tremendous task to acquaint, at least, a wonderful culinary dictionary.

Petra Carsetti, with a great enthusiam will introuduce you to the gastronomic well kept secrets of the best travel destination in 2013: The Marche Region. Here some of the dishes you can start to love:

Brodetto di San Benedetto
Frecantò
Vincisgrassi
Cinghiale al finocchio selvatico
Faraona in salmì
Fritto misto di paranza
Guazzetto di pesce
Stoccafisso all’anconetana
Olive all’ascolana
Pane marchigiano
Torrone di Camerino
Ciambellone o ciambellottu
Biscotti alle visciole
Vino cotto
Anisetta

and much more.

The book is strongly suggested to all food bloggers, expecially from outside Europe, who want to rule in internet with a great culinary niche.

Buy here http://www.newtoncompton.com/libro/978-88-541-2306-9/

http://www.newtoncompton.com/libro/978-88-541-2306-9/

The Battle of Ancona 1944

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 16:10:00 +0000

The Battle of Ancona was a battle involving forces from Poland serving as part of the British Army and German forces that took place from 16 June–18 July 1944 during the Italian campaign in World War II. The battle was the result of an Allied plan to capture the city of Ancona in Italy in order to gain possession of a seaport closer to the fighting so that they could shorten their lines of communication. his Adriatic port, like that of Livorno on the Tyrrhenian Sea, was needed to allow the Allied forces to advance further north, in that the ports of Naples and Brindisi were too far from the front to allow regular supplies to the troops. The Polish 2nd Corps was tasked with capture of the city on 16 June 1944, accomplishing the task a month later on 18 July 1944. On 16 June, Polish II Corps under general Władysław Anders— which had been taken into British 8th Army reserve after its efforts in the Battle of Monte Cassino—was brought forward once more to relieve British V Corps and tasked with the capture of Ancona. On 17 June, General Anders was given command of the Adriatic sector of the Italian theatre.

The first obstacle to cross was the Chienti river. Polish troops reached it on 21 June, and heavy fighting lasted in that region until 30 June. The main offensive on Ancona began on 17 July. Polish armored troops took Monte della Crescia and outflanked German troops defending Ancona. Next, Polish troops secured Casenuove, and neighbouring British troops took Montecchio and Croce di San Vincenzo. By the evening of 17 July, Polish troops were near Agugliano, and the following morning they took Offagna. Later that day, Polish troops took Chiaravalle, and armored troops reached the sea, cutting the German defenders of Ancona from the north-west. The Germans were falling back towards the sea, and Polish troops encountered little resistance entering Ancona at 14:30 on 18 July.

Taking Ancona was the only independent operation of the Polish II Corps. Afterward, the Corps took part in the breaking of the Gothic Line and the Allied spring 1945 offensive which resulted in the surrender of the Axis forces in Italy.

For their action in the battle while seconded to the Polish corps, the British 7th Queen's Own Hussars received the battle honour "Ancona". General Władysław Anders received the honorary citizenship of Ancona on 8 December, 1945.

Text and photo from Wikipedia

From Le Marche Two Fashion E-Commerce Big Players

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:55:00 +0000

Gasmy from Porto San Giorgio and Vrients from Civitanova Marche, represents two Italian Big Players in the Fashion E-Commerce

Gasmy.it offers Clothing, shoes, bags and accessories of national and international designers for men and women directly from the fashion shows, the most sought designers, the newest and rarest articles: Gucci, Fendi, Armani, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and many more fashion brands.

Gasmy based in Porto San Giorgio is a style container and for this reason it will introduce outstanding total looks every month, street style, evening party, free time or aperitif with friends, retro chic, vintage style and so on.

Gasmy.it offers you a personal shopper a your service to help you create unique styles that perfectly fits your personality.

You can also count on our first class customer service, safety of your purchases and fast and reliable delivery.

Gasmy.it is not just a first class online store but also a vast Outlet store.

Haute couture and style are ageless. Gasmy.it is also an outlet store, you can find sneakers, t-shirts, outerwear, beachwear and more previous season items at special prices up to 75% off.

Vrients.com is a new and interesting E-Store devoted exclusively to male customers.

All Italian, with headquarters in Civitanova Marche, this E-Boutique represents classic contemporary clothing for men .

The site, coherent and easy to navigate, guides the customer through proposals for garments and accessories chosen among niche names in the international fashion scene, always careful to enhance the skills of craftsmen and construction techniques.

This e– Shop is dedicated purely to men who perceive fashion as a vehicle to distinguish themselves and that is why they love refined clothing, but will never compromise on quality and tailoring.

Shipments are carried out worldwide via Ups and FedEx couriers.

In Italy, deliveries are guaranteed in 1–2 days; however, an express service is available on demand so that merchandise will be delivered within 1 business day after the order has been placed.

Deliveries are also quick in Europe and in the rest of the world, ranging from 2 to 4 days.

Vrients.com offers an interesting selection of typically quality Italian style clothing, carefully selected among international Menswear collections.

It is the right place where to buy an article of clothing that will enhance any man’s closet, whether you are going for classic or trendy apparel.

L'Albero del Primo Maggio nel Piceno

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:25:00 +0000

L’albero (o palo) del primo maggio sormontato da una drappo rosso e issato ogni trenta aprile nelle piazze e agli incroci delle strade dei comuni del Piceno è un rito di origini antichissime. Affonda le sue radici nella celebrazione pagana del “maggio”, propria delle antiche civiltà agricole, ove aveva la funzione di propiziare la fertilità della terra e salutare l’arrivo della primavera. Fu però con gli alberi della libertà nati nel corso della Rivoluzione francese che assunse i connotati, prossimi a quelli attuali, di un rituale politico. Più tardi, tra la fine dell’Ottocento e gli inizi del Novecento, in coincidenza con il progressivo affermarsi della festa internazionale dei lavoratori, fu ripreso e rilanciato dal nascente movimento socialista giungendo in tal modo sino a noi.

L’albero del primo maggio ha oramai superato la sua natura novecentesca di festa “di parte” per entrare a pieno titolo nel patrimonio storico e culturale del nostro territorio. Nel Piceno l’albero del primo maggio è anzitutto espressione del movimento contadino che si va lentamente organizzando e per il quale questo simbolo assume il duplice significato di occasione di festa e di sfida nei confronti dell’autorità politica e padronale delle lotte mezzadrili degli anni cinquanta e sessanta una storia del processo di emancipazione dalla condizione di servitù semi-feudale che caratterizzava, appena sessant’anni fa, i contadini della nostra provincia.

Ma l’albero del primo maggio è anche espressione di quella tradizione laica che aveva la sua origine nei culti rivoluzionati inaugurati in Francia a partire dal 1789 che incontrarono, sin dalla loro nascita, una strenua opposizione da parte della chiesa cattolica. Ciò aiuta a comprendere che i duelli sono proprio quelli tra i contadini che intendono issare il loro albero ed i parroci che si oppongono a questa profanazione.

L’elevato livello di ritualizzazione, di diversificazione dei simboli arborei (accanto all’albero dei “grandi” venivano issato anche quello delle donne e dei bambini) e di coinvolgimento della comunità che presenta, ad esempio, l’albero del primo maggio a Porchia (frazione di Montalto Marche vedi foto), richiederebbe uno specifico lavoro di ricerca. Sarebbero da approfondire le fonti documentali relative ai tanti processi celebrati a carico di mezzadri, capi-lega, sindacalisti per fatti connessi alle celebrazioni del 1 Maggio. Gli archivi dei Tribunali, conservano ancora atti preziosi per ripercorrere le fasi attraverso cui passò l’offensiva padronale contro i contadini nel Piceno. Da questi documenti non si può prescindere se si intende indagare il ruolo svolto dai poteri costituiti in quella cruciale fase della nostra storia recente.

da http://www.ascolistoria900.com

What is the best time to visit Italy?

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:40:00 +0000

If you are a young foreign woman eager to make the most of a trip to Italy, here is my point of view:

Of course it depends of which kind of traveller you are, whether you want to meet the local people in the neighbourhood bar or prefer to wander the various sites, guide book in hand which is interesting but can be a little lonely.

Summer in Italy is great, don't misunderstand me. Even the "deadly hot" time of August, especially in Rome has lot to offer because all the Italians tend to escape to the beach

Spring is a fantastic period to visit Italy in general, the Italian spirit wakes up from its winter drowsiness, breathes the air fragrant from spring flowers and puts the smile back on its face. Women start to dress in pretty outfits, shorter skirts and heels much to the delight of all the men!

The Mediterranean habit of sitting outside a cafe, watching the world parade past is reawakened, everyone gently enjoying the scene.

So I think it is a great time to perhaps encounter a romantic time, especially if you can find someone really interesting to accompany you to the museums, churches etc or even just a walk in the lovely countryside. Hills topped with castled villages are magnificent, there are fewer tourists and the locals are happy to make you welcome. Staying only in town will lose you so much of the beauty, charm and culture of any area.

After Easter the lidos reopen and it is possible to find great fish and seafood in the many excellent restaurants. Further inland the menus change to more local regional produce - all of it excellent.

Prices can be very attractive in this season and what you buy on your shopping adventures, especially the many discount outlets for Prada, Armani etc can be still worn for the summer at home to the envy of all your friends who haven't had your luck in coming here.

April, May, June? They are so different. What a great responsibility it is to suggest the best time for an epic journey... May!!! Definitely May, it has all the joys of spring with less risk of capricious weather of the cooler months and is not yet the debilitating temperatures of high summer.

Come to La Bella Italia in May!!

Le Marche nel Bicchiere 2013 - the best wine guide to Le Marche Region

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:05:00 +0000

Arrive in the book shops the fifth edition of the publication "Le Marche nel Bicchiere 2013," the guide - realized by the Associazione Sommelier Marche (Le Marche Sommelier Association) with the Regional support. Year after year, this guide has reached its prestige among similar specialized publications. The already wide range of information and updates about the wine scenery of the Marche region, extremely rich and varied in terms of food and wine, has been enriched in the 2013 edition by a section all dedicated to sparkling wines.

The guide, written in Italian and English, describes 148 wineries illustrating more than 350 wines described after the analysis in blind tasting of the Professional Sensory Commission composed by the AIS Marche, who also selected 43 excellent wines and 18 wines with excellent money value. Each tab - in addition to a brief company profile - presents a tasting report of two of the most representative wines, accompanied by a good pairing regional dish and a description of the other wines produced.

The guide consists of 312 pages. The flexible layout makes it easy to read and a reliable tool of knowledge of the Marche Region.

Price € 9.90

Il Bello della Pasqua nelle Marche: La Pizza di Pasqua al Formaggio

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Uno dei più bei periodi dell'anno da trascorrere nelle Marche è sicuramente quello del periodo Pasquale. Prima di Pasqua la natura ci offre spettacoli di rara bellezza. Si inizia con il colorarsi di smeraldo del paesaggio, un verde così bello da non invidiare nulla alla selvaggia Nuova Zelanda. In questo periodo si può ancora osservare con una levata mattutina di buon'ora, il fenomeno della bruma che riempie il fondo delle valli più interne lasciando i paeselli emergere da essa in uno scenario surreale e suggestivo. I mandorli fioriscono e, almeno all'inizio, ci appaiono come dei gran batuffoli di cotone bianco su uno sfondo marrone di querce ancora in riposo vegetativo. Il periodo di Pasqua è però eccezionale per il riproporsi di ricette stagionali dai sapori intensi e decisi.

Fra tutti la Pizza di Pasqua o crescia di Pasqua, o crescia al formaggio. Si tratta di una torta salata con tanto formaggio. Una ricetta ricca con ingredienti non più poveri come un tempo. Al pecorino stagionato si è aggiunto il parmigiano, l'emmenthal, e il pepe nero. Sebbene la tradizione voglia che sia mangiata la mattina di Pasqua a colazione con l'uovo sodo benedetto, il salame e la lonza, nessun buon gustaio resiste dall'acquistarla già dopo Carnevale. Molti sostengono che sia afrodisiaca è magari la presenza del calcio dai formaggi potrebbe dare loro ragione, certo è che rappresenta una bella sferzata di energia di prima mattina.

Ingredienti:

4 uova
gr 350 farina 0
1/2 bicchiere di latte tiepido
gr 63 di lievito di birra ( 2 cubetti e mezzo)
1/2 bicchiere di olio di semi di mais
gr 130 pecorimo marchigiano stagionato (dalla stagionatura dipenderà la robustezza del gusto) grattuggiato
gr 130 parmigiano grattuggiato
gr 200 di emmenthal a pezzi
sale, pepe q.b.

Istruzioni

Mescolare 4 tuorli con il mezzo bicchiere di latte tiepido, nel quale è stato precedentemente sciolto il lievito di birra e l'olio. Si uniscono i formaggi grattuggiati e poco alla volta la farina. Si aggiungono quanto basta sale e pepe e i 4 albumi montati a neve. A questo mpasto si aggiungono i pezzi di emmenthal. Si sistema il tutto in uno stampo stampo unto, tipo quello da panettone Si attende la lievitazione fin quasi all'orlo dello stampo stesso. Si Cuoce in forno a 150° tanto a lungo da percepire forte l'odore di formaggio. La cottura è poi completata a 180° verificando con uno spiedino di legno.

The Mysterious Legends of the Sibilline Mountains in a book

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:25:00 +0000

Legends of the Sibilline Mountains is a small book about an obscure corner of Italy and an equally obscure backwater of world literature. And yet the subjects it touches upon amongst them, the roots of literature in popular consciousness, the intimations of Christian existentialism, the absorption of pagan traditions into Christianity reach far and wide. Goddess worship, necromantic rites, the death of Pontius Pilate, Benevenuto Cellini, Goethe's "Faust" Wagner's "Tannhauser"...they all connect here in a real place of strange geological formations and magical beauty. The Sibilline Mountains, dividing Le Marche from Umbria, were "celebrated in the 14th and 15th centuries throughout all Europe for magical fairytales and necromantic initiations," according to the author Giuseppe Santarelli. In the most famous of these tales a mysterious Sibyl inhabits a grotto devoted to the pleasures of the flesh, luring knights to eternal damnation. Another legend concerns the Lago di Pilato, a mountaintop lake where Pontius Pilate's body had been cast, that later became a destination for demonic rituals. In a witty and personal tone Santarelli discusses the origins of the myths in folklore, their literary transformations through the centuries, and the archeological traces they left behind. This is the first English translation.

Giuseppe Santarelli was born in 1936 in Monte Giberto, a hill town of the Marches, Italy. He graduated from the Catholic University of Milan where for a decade (1967-1976) he taught Italian literature and language. He is the author of various esteemed essays on literature, history and art. Since 1982 he has been director of the Universal Congregation of the Holy House of Loreto and "Il Messaggio della Santa Casa/The Message of the Holy House."

Text and photos from Amazon

The Mistery of "The Picene Lord of Horses"

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 14:45:00 +0000

The lord of horses can be pictured in two ways:

between two facing horses
standing on the crupper of two horses set out in pair or facing back

Frequently the equines pictures are not natural, on the contrary they are drawn in a stylized or extremely bizarre way.

This iconographic scheme that represents a human figure with two horses can be interpreted in two ways:

the first interpretation consider the human figure the representation of a god (Pòseidon Ippios)
the second interpretation consider the human figure the representation of a tamer - horse-breaker or warrior. He wants first to show clearly his belonging to the upper-class, the only that could stand the maintenance of horses and the purchase of a panoply (complete suit of armour). In this case, the goal is not only to praise the wealth, power, strength and war virtues of the aristoi (the best) but also to remind the Homeric warrior-heroes that were often defined hippòdamoi (horse-breakers).

The second hypothesis is to be preferred, considering that all the objects with this iconographic scheme were found in graves of upper-class members together with other elements representing their status symbol: weapons, remains of carts, vases and tools for the banquet, objects in bronze, gold and silver.

When the human figure is standing on the crupper of two horses, the purpose is to highlight not only the wealth, the strength and the warrior abilities but also the deftness and cleverness in riding. Anyway, also in this case they clearly refer to the Homeric warrior-heroes that often tested their deftness.

So, the finding of objects with this iconographic scheme in male graves, highlights and praises the wealth, power and war skills that the dead used to have during his life. When these artefacts are in female graves, it means that they were of the highest rank, wives of very important figures or descendant of a well-known family, or, anyway, that unlike most of their contemporaries, they have had an important role in the society and wanted it to be remembered.

Dr. Ilaria Persichini - archaeologist - text and photos from: http://www.apunis.it/storia-piceni.asp?lang=eng