(Portrait by Tintoretto, c,1575) Veronica Franco (1580-1625) was a poet famous in her own time who made her living as a courtesan. she received her training from her mother, who was also a courtesan until she married. The Franco family was of relatively high birth for Venice, coming...
On the façade of the Church of San Giuliano, San Marco, you will find a statue by Alessandro Vittoria of Tommaso Rangone, a rather curious but interesting Renaissance figure. Tommaso Rangone was born in 18 August 1493, in Ravenna and died in 1577, aged 84. He was...
In Venice, just a short way from Campo Sant’ Aponàl, the entrance to Sotoportego della Madonna (at the corner of Calle Madonna and Calle del Perdon) has a text engraved in wood under the name of the sotoportego; in the middle is a small carved image that was inspired...
Looking at Palazzo Loredan, San Marco, the second column in from the left has a graffiti depiction of a man with a long pipe. It is inspired by the remarkable legend of a local fisherman called Biagio. A firm favourite with one and all, this old man used to...
Almost opposite the entrance to the church of San Bartolomeo at the foot of Rialto Bridge is a small sculpture of a head that often passes unnoticed. In bronze, it is the old shop sign for the apothecary “Alla Testa d’Oro” (At the Golden Head) and dates from...
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
