SORRY, YOU MISSED THIS ONE!
A Virtual Walking Tour of
Alessandro Manzoni’s Milan
Sunday, March 28, 2021
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. C.D.S.T.
Presented in English
In Milan, Alessandro Manzoni wrote the novel that is the symbol of post-unification Italian literature: The Betrothed. This tour took us to see his traditional Lombardian home. In front of it we saw the Palazzo Belgioioso, made of stone, a symbol of Austrian power. Not far from there, we visited Piazza San Fedele, with its beautiful 15th-century church where Don Lisander (as Manzoni was called) went to pray. It was also the location where he slipped on the steps on a cold January day in 1863, suffering a trauma that led to his death. Hence the statue of Manzoni right in front of the Church of San Fedele. We also saw Palazzo Marino, currently the seat of the municipal government of Milan and the nearby La Scala theater. We finished with the Memorial Cemetery, where we saw Manzoni’s tomb at the center of the Famedio (the memorial chapel), which is the most important spot in the entire cemetery.
About Our Guides:
Mirella Maestri
I am Mirella. I was born and raised in Piedmont, in the north of Italy. To me, it’s still one of the most beautiful places on earth. I moved to Milan almost 20 years ago. I have a degree in archaeology and post-graduate specialization in Medieval archaeology. For many years I worked in field archaeology and as a tour guide in both Piedmont and Milan.
Since 2018, I have also been working as a teacher of Italian as a foreign language after obtaining the DITALS certification. I am a life enthusiast, a people person and I love being the bridge between my culture and others. My passions are history, art, languages, travels, food and … fashion.
Debora Zanotti
I was born and raised in Monza, a nice city near Milan. I graduated in Linguistic and Cultural Mediation and studied Chinese and English language and culture. A passion for travel has allowed me to explore art and history and to start a career as a tour guide in Milan. I love this city and its atmosphere. I collaborate with various cultural associations and Milanese tour operators.
Two years ago, I gained the DITALS I certification for teaching Italian to adults given by the University for Foreigners of Siena. I currently teach Italian to foreigners, offering the Italian language in the most entertaining way possible. I like to talk about art, food, politics and cultures with my students.
