Italian Clubs, Events, Lifestyle; Travel Italy

If you are wondering how Rome looked when it was at the peak of its power you may have a look at the Museum of the Diocletian Baths.

It’s the home of “Rome Reborn“, the largest and most complete simulation of a historic city, which digitally recreates Rome as it appeared at the peak of its power. Visitors are able to wander through rebuilt monuments and interact with the city’s political elite.

It’s based on the concept of online virtual worlds. At “Rome Reborn” avatars can receive explanations from characters including the empress and the emperor and also switch between the ancient Rome and a virtual tour of the monuments as they look today.

When visiting the Eternal City, “Rome Reborn” is worth a visit, for its educational and entertainment value.

The Italian Center of the West of Salt Lake City, UT, will be sponsoring a seminar by European Studies Bibliographer Dr. Richard Hacken, entitled “Online Narratives of Famous Americans Travelling in Italy“.

(photo by red_planet-CC lic.)

The seminar, taking place Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., will give an overview on travel literature related to traveling in Italy. Dr. Hacken will show how travel reports and insightful books about Italy can be easily accessed on the web.

European Studies Bibliographer at the Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, Dr. Richard Hacken is also the creator of EuroDocs, a portal he is constantly enlarging and updating to primary historical documents from various countries in Europe. Here is an example of online narratives of American travelers to Italy.

Where: Homewood Suites by Hilton , 423 West 300 South, Salt Lake City
When: Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Public is welcome, no admission fee.

A small town in Veneto, Marostica, 80 km away from Venice, hosts a singular Chess Game the second weekend of September.
A living chess game played out with humans wearing ancient costumes acting as chess pieces on a huge chessboard, in the town’s main square — named Piazza Scacchi (Chess Square) after this ancient tradition.

The proposed games are inspired from the most famous historical world championship games.

The Marostica’s Live Chess Game tradition dates back to 1454, when two local young noblemen, Vieri of Vallonara and Rinaldo of Angarano, both loved Lionora, the beautiful daughter of the Lord of the Manor and Rector of Marostica, and wanted to marry her.
The lord, Taddeo Parisio, to prevent a traditional bloody duel, decided that his daughter would marry the suitor who triumphed in a public display of chess game.

The story has a happy ending, with Vieri, Lionora’s secret love, winner of the game and the loser Rinaldo who will wed, Oldrada, Lionora’s younger sister.