Thursday, February 21, 2013

Incantato Concert Tours proudly present the San Marino Chamber Choir at the Euphrasian Basilica in Porec

The Euphrasian Basilica in Porec on the Croatian Coast is one of the most preserved cathedral complexes in the region. This means that the basic components - church, memorial chapel, atrium, bapistry and episcopal palace - are preserved. The Basilica is an example of Byzantine architecture which is a characteristic example of 5th and 6th century religious architecture.

At least four churches were built in succession and only the last, the Basilica of Euphrasius has survived.  The present church was built in the mid-6th century to the orders of the bishop whose name it retains, Euphrasius. All the buildings are richly ornamented with mosaics, alabaster, marble, mother-of-pearl, and stucco. The central feature inside the dome is a representation of the Virgin Mary, holding the Christ Child and flanked by angels, local martyrs and Bishop Euphrasius. Because of its exceptional value, it has been inscribed on the  UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.


Monday, February 18, 2013

San Marino Chamber Choir the featured guest singers for Mass at the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padova,Italy

The San Marino Chamber Choir will be singing twice in Italy. Once at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice and also in the Basilica Pontificia di Sant'Antonio di Padova at 11 am on Friday, April 5. The Basilica of St. Anthony, as it is called in English, is a Roman Catholic church and basilica in Padua, northern Italy. 
Construction began in 1232, one year after the death of St. Anthony, and completed in 1310. 
The Basilica is the result of different constructions which took place between 1238-1310. The church of Santa Maria Mater Domini, which is the original burial site of St. Anthony, was integrated into the Basilica and what is now the Chapel of the Black Madonna. The second construction is that of the Friary, dating back to 1229 and likely founded by St. Anthony himself, who died in 1231 in Arcella, northern Italy. 
The Chapel where the tomb of St. Anthony lies has been called the "Ark" from the beginning. While the tomb is in the altar in this chapel, it was temporarily located in the center of the Basilica from 1236-1310, although it has remained in its current location since 1350. 

Confirmed Venue: St. Mark's Basilica, Venice

On Saturday, April 6, the San Marino Chamber Choir will be the featured guest choir for the prominent Saturday Mass at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. 
St. Mark's is a cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice and one of the most famous of the city's churches. 
The Basilica dates back to 828 when it was first a temporary building in the Doge's Palace when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria. It was replaced with its own building on the present site in 832. 
This monument was made unique by a combination of wealth of history and striking facade and interior, marked by a Byzantine character. Over the centuries, the Venetians embellished the Basilica with precious objects and works of art, creating a grand, compact monument in Venice. The famous Mosaics in the interior illustrate St. Marco's tales, as well as scenes from the Old and New Testaments. 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Incantato Welcomes you to Istria!

Istria is the largest peninsula in Croatia and known for its colors: blue seas, white stone and green interior. In this small area, you will come across a wide variety, from an ancient heritage and green, rolling hills to the Adriatic coastline. The peninsula is dotted with tiny towns, some old fishing villages, and other fortified medieval towns in between a hilly landscape. Almost every hill in Istria has a town or village perched on top and each has its own characteristic streets, squares, and churches. Enjoy the local cuisine and savor the famous locally produced olive oil, honey or delicacies from the sea. 

Discover the marks left throughout history by the Celts, Romans, Venetians and all the way up to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. See examples of architecture of Antiquity in Pula, a city that has existed for three thousand years and is Istria's largest urban center. Just like Rome, the town lies on seven hills. Be sure to visit the Amphitheater, a monument dating back to the 1st century AD and initially designed for fighting gladiators. Today, it is a world-famous concert and festival venue.
As the jewel of Istria's unspoiled nature, the Brijuni National Park is a group of 14 islands strung along the coast. This monument of cultural and historical heritage and a veritable treasure trove of nature can be reached by boat from the town of Fazana. 


Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Discover the city of Pula, Croatia with Incantato Tours

Pula, the largest town on the Istrian peninsula, is well-known for its magnificent monuments from the Roman era. In Roman times, Pula was a colony known as Pietas Julia. In 425, the town became an episcopal seat and still features the foundations of some 5th-century religious buildings today. 

In the course of Pula's three thousand year old history, several landmarks and monuments have emerged. These include:
Triumphal Arch of the Sergi from the 1st century B.C. It was built for three brothers who held important positions in the Roman Empire.
Twin Gates, dating back to the 2nd-3rd centuries, and Hercule's Gate, built in the 1st century B.C., the oldest and best preserved Roman monument in the city. 
 

Temple of Augustus, which stands in the square that was once the site of the Roman forum. A very good example of Roman architecture, the temple dates back to the 1st century.

The most famous monument, however, is the Roman amphitheater, popularly known as the Arena of Pula. The arena is one of the six largest Roman amphitheaters still in existance today. The first two floors have 72 arches and the third has 64 large rectangluar openings. Built in the 1st century AD and enlarged in 79 AD for gladiator fights, the amphitheater could hold 23,000 people. It remained intact until the 15th century. Recently, it has been restored and was adatped for musical events.