Now you know we’d love to have each and everyone of you here with us, sharing the morning cappuccinos, the fresh fruit and yogurt, the garlicky tomato sauce, the tender gnocchi, the late night gelato, the stunning music…
But as we can’t, how about a few pictures?
Better yet, boil up a pot of pasta, pour yourself a glass of wine and come on a walking tour for just a few minutes.
I promise not to talk about food.
The former 17th century convent of Santa Chiara is home to all the classes and afternoon recitals. It’s mostly modernized although the thick stone walls prevent any access to wireless internet which, when one thinks of the cloistered life of the hundreds of nuns who would have silently wandered these halls, the imposed quiet is rather appropriate.
Looking to the right, the convent ends at the large entrance beside the brown building. The upper shutters cover the windows of the nuns’ former bedrooms, now used as dormitories.
Inside the building are all the little nooks and crannies one would hope to discover in a structure of its vintage and history. Through these doors, for example, is the tiny Cappella di Santa Chiara, the convent’s chapel.
The room is quite small but the frescoes, while having experienced some damage are still impressive, with the colours holding up over the centuries.
The upper halves of these frescoes have disappeared to both environmental damage and to the unfortunate locating of some shelving, I was told.
But the frescoes tell more than just a story of misguided renovations.
Here, for example is a story of a pretty bad day.
Oh, that Salome.
But I’ve got to wonder…
… about the peacefulness of prayer when surrounded by this kind of imagery…
… even after one had already committed one’s life to monasticism and spiritual betterment….
Best perhaps to take in a peaceful evening break in the softening light, enjoy some of the benefits of modern technology, and listen to one’s friends and classmates send beautiful music toward the heavens.
And to decide which of the forty flavours of gelato will take centre stage tonight…
The Country Mice 