Lectures

In February, The Institute inaugurates a very special series of lectures on seven of the greatest art cities of Italy~

FLORENCE, SIENA, URBINO, RAVENNA, PADUA, VERONA, VENICE

Join us at the Institute on one Friday evening every month for a trip to a beautiful, historic city in Italy!

Friday FEB 12, 2010: FLORENCE
The historic center of Florence preserves the Renaissance almost perfectly unchanged since 1400. Come see the Medici, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, and Michelangelo. Wander across the Ponte Vecchio. Enjoy a Cappucino at Revoire in Piazza Signoria.

Friday, MAR 12, 2010: SIENA
Thirty minutes south of Florence stands a jewel of red brick and marble strung along mountain ridges. The central square, Il Campo (site of the famous annual Palio horse race), may be the most beautiful city square in the world.

Friday, APR 9, 2010: URBINO
The dukes and duchesses of Urbino were viewed as the most sophisticated and respected of all Renaissance families. Come see the beautiful city they built on a hill near the Adriatic. This is Raphael's city. We will walk through his house and visit the Ducal palace down the street.

Friday, MAY 7, 2010: RAVENNA
For about one hundred years Ravenna was the center of the Mediterranean world. Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora made it their western capital. All the buildings they built in the fifth and sixth centuries are still there. Come see this incredible small city on the Adriatic coast.

Friday, JUN 11, 2010: PADUA
Padua was one of the most important cities in Italy for a thousand years. It was the mainland commercial center for the whole of the Venetian empire. It was rich and successful. One of its citizens paid for the most spectacular artistic project of the whole fourteenth century: the Scrovegni Chapel by Giotto. Come see the city and the paintings.

Friday, JUL 9, 2010: VERONA
Verona sits at the Italian end of the Brenner Pass and right in the middle of the most important east-west road in northern Italy. This location has made Verona one of the great cities of Italy from the days long before Rome to our own time, when the greatest outdoor opera in Italy is performed in the ancient Roman area. Come see this beautiful and unique northern Italian city.

Friday, Jul 23, 2010: VENICE
Venice is one of the few great Italian cities not founded by the Romans. Her history begins in the moment of the invasions of the Barbarians and now, 1500 years later, this watery capital is one of the two or three most popular places for tourists in all of Europe. Come coast through the canals with us this August.

Friday, AUG 13, 2010: VENICE
Venice is one of the few great Italian cities not founded by the Romans. Her history begins in the moment of the invasions of the Barbarians and now, 1500 years later, this watery capital is one of the two or three most popular places for tourists in all of Europe. Come coast through the canals with us this August.

All lectures will be held at the Institute classroom at: 10060 Bubb Road, Cupertino.

Doors open at 6:30 PM for wine reception.

Lecture begins at 7:00 PM.

Call the office at 408-864-4060 to reserve your seats now!

Tickets: $25 each

Enrollment

To enroll, contact the Institute Monday-Friday, 10-6.

Institute for the Study of Western Civilization
10060 Bubb Road, Cupertino, CA 95014
Institute Phone: (408) 864-4060