There are some beautiful Italian sims in Second Life. One of my favorites is San Francesco Assisi. I'm told that it is a faithful reproduction of the Basilica San Francesco Assisi in Italy, so let's compare and see.
The basilica is the mother church of the Franciscan order of Catholic friars. Construction began in 1228, shortly after Francis of Assisi was canonized, and was completed in 1253. It was decorated by the greatest late medieval Roman, Umbrian, and Tuscan artists of the day.
Here's a photo of the courtyard in RL, complete with tourists and pigeons.
Here's what you see as you enter the courtyard of the basilica in Second Life. Hmmm . . . The sky is a little more dramatic and I don't see the tourists and the pigeons. It looks a lot like the original, though, doesn't it?
Let's take a look inside. Here's the Upper Basilica in RL. The vaulted ceiling is magnificent. The walls bear frescoes depicting a variety of religious scenes, including 28 depicting the life of St. Francis, ascribed to the young Giotto. It is a wonderfully contemplative area.
The creative designers who built the replica in Second Life made their Upper Basilica look like this. Same vaulted ceiling, and look at the frescoes! I am overwhelmed.
It will take you hours to explore the SL version, and it's well worth it. Be sure that you do the full tour, including the Lower Basilica and the crypt where St. Francis is buried. It is truly a marvelous and faithful reproduction.
OK, after that visit we need to take time for lunch, perhaps at a small sidewalk trattoria. But where? Ah! . . . . I know just the place, back on my home sim, Info Island International. Follow me.
Oh, rats! It's snowing here too. Nice place for a quiet lunch, though, and there is already a bottle of Chianti, a cheese board, and a delicious-looking strawberry torte waiting for us. Maybe if we stay under the umbrella we'll keep most of the snow off. I happen to know that when the snow melts, this area will also be a great place for a picnic. I can see the blanket over there in the olive grove. We can sit there and watch the ducks in the pond.
While you're here, you can also pick up information about Italian country dances, the history of ancient Roman roads, and the development of modern Romance languages. Oh, and you can also get a free Italian designer handbag.
You've probably been wondering when I was going to get around to saying something about clothing. OK, the skirt I've been wearing today is another of my knee-length seasonal flexis. This time, it's the "Field of Flowers" design. Let me show you up close.
That swarm of colorful butterflies rising out of the flowers makes me feel like it's spring, no matter how much snow is on the ground. Don't you love it?
Yes?
So let's sit down under the umbrella and enjoy a glass of Chianti. If we're patient and a little lucky, maybe a couple of fine Italian gentlemen will come and help us eat that torte.
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