Italy’s Great (Hidden) Beauty: History and Art in UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Many of Italy’s World Heritage sites are well known and draw thousands of tourists every year, from the historic centre of Florence to the archaeological site of Pompeii, Leonardo’s Last Supper and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But what of the lesser-known World Heritage sites in Italy? What can we learn about the fascinating history and culture of Italy from the historic sites and practices recognised by UNESCO, reflecting the diverse groups who have left their distinctive marks on the Italian peninsula for millennia. In this new course, travel virtually to Italy to explore its history, art and culture in illustrated presentations on World Heritage sites that you’re less likely to know, a celebration of Italy’s grande bellezza in its hidden places. Session One (January 31, 2022): Su Nuraxi, Barumini (Sardinia) Included on the World Heritage list in 1997, this stellar example of the Nuraghic civilisation has much to teach us about the ancient history of the island, ca 1300-600 BCE. Session Two (February 14, 2022): Necropolis of Pantàlica (Sicily) Recognised by UNESCO in 2005, this rock-cut cemetery near Syracuse contains over 4000 tombs from the 13th to seventh centuries BCE and is one of Italy’s lesser-known prehistoric sites. Session Three (February 28, 2022): Tarquinia and Cerveteri (Lazio) These Etruscan cemeteries from the ninth to the first century BCE contain outstanding examples of painting, funerary sculpture and artefacts of daily life. Recognised by UNESCO in 2004. Session Four (March 14, 2022): Paestum (Campania) Listed by UNESCO in 1998, the sixth and fifth-century BCE temples of Paestum are among the best examples of ancient Greek architecture in the world. Session Five (March 28, 2022): The Sassi of Matera (Basilicata) This well-preserved settlement of cave dwellings, some of which date to the Palaeolithic, was recognised by UNESCO in 1993 for what they reveal about troglodytic culture in the Mediterranean. The course will be held in English and face-to-face at the Institute. Each one hour lecture will be followed by 30 minutes of live discussion. The tutor, Dr Kathleen Olive, is a cultural historian with a PhD in Italian Studies from the University of Sydney. She lived and studied in Italy for a number of years, and has taught Italian language, history and culture at the University of Sydney and at the University of Technology, Sydney. Her edition with Nerida Newbigin of the Codex Rustici, a celebrated 15th century manuscript, was the official gift of the Florentine Curia to Pope Francis on his first visit to Florence in 2015. Kathleen has led cultural tours to Italy, Spain, France, Japan and the USA since 2003, and is a national lecturer for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS). She is well known for her public lectures on art history and appreciation.