|
|
Parchi Letterari® (Literary landscapes): Francesco Petrarca and Euganean Hills (Padua)Source of inspiration for generations of important writers, poets and artists, the quiet and enchanting beauty of the Euganean Hills is still one of the main enticements of the Padua province. From the courtly love of Provençal troubadours, who sang the beauty of Beatrice and of their host Azzo VI of Este, to the decadent atmosphere of Bruce Chatwin, along with Shelley, Byron and Foscolo: one can discover here the places that inspired unrivaled pages of the most beloved classics, and passionate letters of poets and romantic writers. Unique colors, flavors and scents lead visitors into environmental oases, ancient abbeys, castles, villas, rural retreats and other enchanting sights, like the home of Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374) in Arquà, the poet's last, most beloved home; the thermae, praised by the poet Claudian back in the 4th century AD, and the Villa dei Vescovi admired by Dino Buzzati. This literary cornucopia had its origin at the court of Azzo VI, who welcomed minstrels and troubadours from Europe and the Po valley under his roof in Este , giving rise to a lively court that he ruled over until his death, throwing the minstrels into desperate grief that resulted in many planhs (bemoaning songs). But the subject of many verses was also his daughter,Beatrice of Este who was of a rare beauty, but was immediately dedicated to the monastic life until her death at a young age, and who is now buried in the city's cathedral. 'Milord the Marquis, what will the jesters, to whom you offered so many gifts and provided so many benefits do now? For this I only have one advice to give the Troubadours: That they die and go seek him on the other side, for I neither know nor see anyone who would care for them, now that you are no longer here''Aimeric de Peguilhan, Ja no cujey que'm pogues oblidar (1212) “To God I commend the land where she is and the sweet country where she was born, and her gentle, pleasant demeanor, where there resides so much virtue and beauty, which I so much desire. God, when will I be able to see her?” Rambertino Buvalelli, Al cor m'estai l'amoros desiriers (1209) The Paduan Renaissance took a further important step forward in Este with the figures of Alvise Cornaro, a generous patron of the arts who founded in Padua a small private court of intellectuals and artists composed among others of Angelo Beolco, known as the Ruzante, and the architect Giovanni Mari
|
