Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The French government is privileged to have two of Rome's most beautiful properties: Palazzo Farnese, which they rent for a nominal fee and use as their embassy, and Villa Medici, which is the home of the French Academy, and was procured by Napoleon. The narrator speaks of how the land on which Villa Medici was built was highly appreciated by the ancient Romans.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The segment focuses on the reasons behind the founding of the French Academy by Louis XIV
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
A tour of Villa Medici's reception and private rooms. Ferdinando de' Medici hired the architect and sculptor Bartolomeo Ammannati to expand the villa, as well as other renowned Florentines artists to create fresco cycles exalting his life. We catch a glimpse of his frescoed south-facing apartment, which would have been used in the colder months, while the north-side suite was for warmer periods.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
We get a look at the plaster casts of Roman and Greek statues in the French Academy's storage rooms, sculptures such as the Venus de Milo. Fellows have made use of these casts to draw inspiration for their own works.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The segment focuses on Messalina, wife of the Emperor Claudius, who owned a villa on the site of Villa Medici. We catch a glimpse of tunnels and rooms beneath the villa, which were used by Ferdinando de' Medici to imprison Asian slaves when they weren't at work on a garden meant to evoke Mount Parnassus.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
We visit the French Academy's gallery devoted to plaster casts of antique sculptures and the large park, which was once used by Ferdinando de' Medici for hunting.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
The segment concentrates on two richly frescoed rooms that are set apart from the villa. Cardinal Ferdinando de' Medici used these secluded rooms for trysts.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Éric de Chassey, Director of the French Academy, details the mission of the institution.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Here is the trailer for a biopic about Oriana Fallaci, one of the most famous reporters in the world, who dedicated her life to her passions.
Difficulty: Beginner
Italy
In this video we get a peek at the streets of Rome, accompanied by the nostalgic melody of "Romagna mia" (a song dedicated to the Region of Emilia Romagna, played here by a street musician in Rome). Come and discover the eternal city!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Strolling through Rome, we stop in front of the so-called statue of Pasquino, who, rebelling against the rigid regulations of the reigning pope, made the statue "speak" by using placards, registering his protest against the city.
Difficulty: Beginner
Italy
Francesca is in Rome and she looking for a way of getting to the Janiculum. She asks a guy, who gives her directions and tells her of some ways she could get there. At the end, they decide to get a coffee together.
Difficulty: Beginner
Italy
Francesca and her new friend are now in the bar. Let's go and see what's on the menu!
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
This segment takes place in Pigneto, a Rome neighborhood, which hosts a "Mercatino del Pigneto," or flea market, where used items, collectibles, and crafts are sold. Here you'll find everything and at reasonable prices.
Difficulty: Advanced
Italy
Raffaele, a producer of extra virgin olive oil from Apulia, tells us about the ancient origins of his olive groves. Many of the trees are centuries old, some are even over a thousand years old, and continue to produce excellent oil.
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