Narrator: Did you know, in Florence, a football competition is held that dates back 1530? Each year, the locals dress in renaissance costumes and the players gather in their team colors. There is red, white, blue and green, all representing a different quarter of the city. The official Florentine Football Tournament that started when Florence was under siege by troops of Charles V. It was staged as a show of strength by the Florentine troops, who were believed to already be defeated. Today, the majority of players are professional sportsmen from various disciplines and their feisty Italian temperament can sometimes mean that things turn nasty. But mostly, people just enjoy watching the game.
Did you know, in 2007, the face of the great poet Dante was reconstructed? Dante’s nose is usually depicted by artists as being pointy and large. And now scientists can confirm that it was an aqually nose.
Stefano Benazzi: Not all the drawings show a crooked nose. In some, it’s completely straight. But the nose was crooked. It’s true that this is one of the models that can be made of Dante but this is much more realistic than other images.
Narrator: Using computer technology and forensic techniques, teams at Bologna University reconstructed Dante’s face based on measurements taken from his skull.
Did you know, Murano glass can only be made in the tiny Venetian island of Murano? Although the techniques for Murano glassblowing have been copied elsewhere, the products can only truly be known as Murano if they are made on the island. Murano glass has become a hallmark and sought after souvenir of Venice. The glass is made from Silica which becomes liquid at high temperatures. It is known for its colorful style, elaborate design and skillful craftsmanship. In the 14th century, Murano glassblowers were amongst the most important Venetian citizens. They were immune from prosecution and enjoyed high social status. However, they were forbidden to leave Venice in case they passed on their knowledge elsewhere.
Did you know, it took 177 years to complete construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa? The Leaning Tower of Pisa was originally designed to be straight. But badly laid foundations meant that the tower started to lean southeast. It now leans to the southwest. Construction began in 1173 when the first three floors were built. However, they began to sink as there were only three-meter foundations. For the next century, the three floors remained and the soil was able to settle. When construction started again in 1272, engineers tried to compensate for the lean by building floors that were higher on one side and lower on the other which caused the tower to lean to the other side.
Did you know, Mt. Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe, although it was not Vesuvius, which has caused the most publicity in Italy with its creation of the Pompeii ruins. Mt. Etna is in fact two and a half times its size. Mt. Etna stands at over 3000 meters or 10,000 feet. It is the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. At its base, Etna covers an area of 1190 kilometers2. This makes it by far the largest of the three active volcanoes in Italy. Mt. Etna is one of the most active volcanos in the world. It’s at an almost constant state of eruption. The fertile volcanic soil supports extensive agriculture, so there are some very brave people living nearby.
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