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More about Balzi Rossi

by Tolik

With the exception of The Mask, all of these carvings can be seen as variations on the Palaeolithic Venus, a model that we now recognize as fundamental to the artistic repertoire of the Eurasian Upper Palaeolithic. Research shows that this model occurs, with regional variations, in many places in Western Europe, Central Europe (the Czech Republic and Slovakia, for example), Eastern Europe (Ukraine and the Russian plain) and even in the Lake Baykal region of Siberia.
In most cases, the figurines are miniature sculptures of well-rounded female nudes, fashioned - depending on the region - from ivory, antler or soft stone, and sometimes even clay, which was later fired. The treatment seems to have followed certain rules, the most obvious being an overemphasis of the fleshy parts of the body (buttocks, stomach and chest) and, at times, an explicit portrayal of various sexual attributes.
These and other finds (including the reproduction of the beautiful real-life figure of a horse from the cavern del Caviglione) are on view in the Museo Nazionale dei Balzi Rossi open 9-13, 14,30-19,30 (closed Mondays). Guided tours of the caves every 3/4 of an hour, weather conditions permitting.

My very first trip!

by Katrino

"6 months old...."

My very first trip in life was to Ventimiglia in Italy. My family had visited this little town two times a year since 1962 and in 1977 it was my turn!
A thing a remember about going there was having a terrible disease when I was two and my mum taking me to the nuns to get a antibiotic shot.
I when back with my dad when I was about 10 and the village had changed a lot.
I'm planning on going back during the Easter Holiday in 2007.

Vibrant Ventimiglia

by Tolik

Inhabited since the prehistoric age (finds and graffiti in Balzi Rossi caves), Ventimiglia was a Roman colony; it flourished during the seniority of the Counts of Ventimiglia and it has been part of the Genovese Republic. In 1814 it was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia and later to the Kingdom of Italy.

The results of all these vicissitudes can be found in the cultural heritage of the town: the medieval zone, the defensive walls, Vergine Assunta's Cathedral, San Michele's Church with its Romanesque crypt, the Episcopal Palace, the Counts' Castle, the San Paolo fort, the Biancheri Tower.

For you, the art lovers: Claud Monet "View of Ventimiglia".
Oil on canvas; Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, United Kingdom.