camminando | Rome: Finding Symmetry Inside & Outside

Two of the most meaningful buildings by Donato Bramante are located in Rome, about 2 km one from the other.

"Tempietto" is located just outside the park of Gianicolo, in the complex of San Pietro in Montorio. It was built around 1502, commissioned by the King of Sicily Ferdinando II of Aragon and his wife Isabella. Perhaps inspired by the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, the buildings is based on circular symmetry, framed by arches of the surrounding cloister. Its almost minimalist vocabulary, based on emphasis on structure vs. decoration, is characterized by radial symmetry, with an entablature supported by sixteen columns of doric order. The interior of the dome presents a fresco resembling a starred sky, while the floor exhibits symmetrical in its mosaic pavement.

camminando | Roma: Following the Sun and Shadow

The obelisk is located at 41.902245, 12.457274 in the center of the Square. According to the Vatican website (http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/it/basilica/esterno.htm) the  red granite obelisk was is 25.31-meter tall on a base of 8.25 meter. It was originally placed on the axis of the Circus of Nero—or Circus of Caligula.

An early interpretation of the relative locations of the circus, and the medieval and current Basilicas of St. Peter. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_of_Nero#/media/File:Plan_of_Circus_Neronis_and_St._Peters.gif

The obelisk has a square plan aligned to true north and its shadow acts as a sundial. The surrounding pavement made of sampietrino (beveled basalt stones) and has inserted white marble markers defining a wind rose. The wind rose markers were not added until 1852 during the pontificate of Pius IX.

camminando | Pilgrimage in Gaeta

I am in an urgent need of a vacation—the etymology of the word is quite  descriptive of my needs. Leaving life vacant of worries has always provided a fresh approach to problem solving and generated insights. Italy does not lack of inspirational places; my requirements are for a seaside place with a "bandiera blu" award,  over thousand year of historians which  to be reached from Rome with less than two hours of public transportation.
Gaeta, from the Latin Caieta, presents all the requisites. Caieta has an ancient history dating back to the Ionic colonies, with settlement starting in the VIII century BC. It was mentioned in Virgil's Aeneid. But its history continues through times integrating breathtaking natural views with architecture and sacred places. Highly spiritual and sacred is the Santuario della SS.ma Trinità, located in the Montagna Spaccata. The meeting of earth, sky and water has been celebrated through centuries by pilgrims.

camminando | Becoming Aware of Pilgrimage in Viterbo, the CIty of Lions, Walls and Clocks | Day 1

While meanderings in the medieval city of Viterbo I have an insight into the meaning of my relentless walking of the past years. While approaching Via San Pellegrino I suddenly realize that I am a contemporary pilgrim. Walking for me has been not only a means of knowing —and experiencing places— but a spiritual practice. Each step is an encounter between my body and the surface of the earth. Walking is an embodiment of the relationship between the self and the world; it is recorded by GPS and superimposed to maps. I find an aesthetic intent in every walk, and the art production is in the cartographies generated by mapping my steps into different representations of the earth surface.
Even the movement sequence "Finding the Axis Mundi" is somehow analogous to the Buddhist prostration.
My pilgrimage in Viterbo has been reconnecting me with the meaning of symbols in the cities. Some of the most recognizable features of Viterbo urban places, have become a meditation on walls, doors, clocks, and...lions. The lion of the city coat of arms is present everywhere:fountains, shrines, corners of palaces. Shall I find meaning in the strength of the lion? Definitely my life path these days is crowded with hyenas and vultures...Porta della Verità is already providing the answer.