Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
In 1693, there was a terrible earthquake in the south-eastern part of Sicily, and much of it was razed to the ground. The subsequent rebuilding of the cities followed the tenets of the Baroque style that had already taken hold during the Spanish reign.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
In Noto, there are two churches facing each other, with the interesting characteristic of having being built to house Benedictine nuns. One of them, the church of Santa Chiara (Saint Clare), went on to become one of the most important examples of Baroque architecture in Sicily.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Palazzo Nicolaci di Villadorata is one of the largest private residences in all of Noto. Built in the eighteenth century in Baroque style, it was the urban residence of the noble Nicolaci family. Its splendid Baroque balconies, together with the façade of the Church of Montevergine, contribute to creating one of the most characteristic corners of all Noto.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
There are a good ninety rooms in Palazzo Nicolaci. As on the outside of the building, symbolism pervades every space, as if there were the fear of emptiness. And, in true Baroque style, it was all created to amaze the eye of the beholder.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Our journey takes us to Modica, in Sicily, where the historic center of the city had to be rebuilt entirely because of an earthquake in 1693. There was also a great flood in the twentieth century, resulting in some other major changes in the layout of the city. It remains a beautiful Baroque city, full of wonders.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
By observing the damage wrought by earthquakes, architects were able to figure out the best way to build churches to withstand future seismic events. So, in addition to the Baroque style present in cities like Ragusa, in Sicily, practical considerations were also at the source of certain architectural choices.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Our final stop in the Baroque south of Italy is the church of San Giorgio, a masterpiece of architecture, admired by the entire world. The cathedral appears in the opening credits of the Italian TV series "Inspector Montalbano," and it also features in some episodes.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Ferzan Özpetek directed this video of images from his movie La Dea Fortuna, for which the song "Luna Diamante" (diamond moon) is part of the soundtrack. The song was written by Ivano Fossati and sung by Mina.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
There are various interpretations of this famous song sung by Mina. What or whom does il corvo (the crow) represent? A judge? A priest? An agent? Whoever is seen as an ugly black crow has the power but lacks wisdom.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
"One Step Away from Me" was written by Fabio Ilacqua and arranged by Adriano Celentano and Celso Valli. Celentano and Mina sing about two lovers trapped between reason and emotion.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Both Giuseppe and Giorgio take the exam for the available position. They each have to diagnose a patient and the examination board isn't kind to either of them.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Moscati discovers what Aniello died of and feels profoundly aggrieved and powerless. He seems to have doubts about his role as a doctor.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Giorgio is getting settled in his new office and gets an unexpected and unwelcome visitor. Giuseppe has a big evening ahead of him with Elena and her father, but he gets some news he has to take care of and is delayed.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Elena is at the fancy dinner, and is worried about Giuseppe, but at the same time, she is fascinated by the after-dinner entertainment. Giorgio is taking advantage of Giuseppe's absence. Meanwhile, Giuseppe is working against the clock, realizing that his patient, from one of the poorest and most dangerous neighborhoods of Naples, has a terrible disease.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Italy
Moscati and his assistants do what they can, but they discover that the government has a different view of the situation.
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