Description

Lucca's intact sixteenth century city walls are unique and form an impressive part of a green belt surrounding the historic centre.

Here people walk, jog, ride their bikes and often simply stop to admire the beautiful view of hills in the distance, or the city below with its many towers and courtyard gardens.
The city centre is extremely well preserved and restricted to all but a few cars, so the pedestrian area is wide enough to get around easily on foot or by bicycle.

The class rooms of our school in via Mordini, are well situated in a historic palace in the area of the old town between the Guinigi Tower and the Roman Amphiteatre, two of Luccas most famous landmarks. The historical heart of the old town here, maintains all its Italian flavour in the many stores, cafes and trattorias.

The lively town is also rich in history and traditional festivals, (some of them date back centuries) and it stages many modern and cultural events that make the city a place of interest every month of the year.

The city is beautifully located so that if you would like, it is possible to; visit wineries or old villas and farmhouses in the surrounding hills; to get to the sea (20 minutes by train), where you will find many magnificent sandy beaches; to see the neighbouring cities of Florence, Pistoia, Pisa etc, which are all within easy travelling distance by bus or by train; or to walk or ride along the scenic banks of the Serchio river outside the walls, (approx 10 minutes on foot).

There are so many monuments, elegant palaces, churches and squares that make this town so charming, that it is easy to get caught up in the atmosphere and forget about time, (for a little while at least). One can easily be caught up in things like the evening stroll, (la passeggiata) that the Italians are famous for, or simply by spending time around the town in some of the lovely cafes, some of which look out on to the historic piazzas of San Michele and Napoleone, from which one can sit and watch the lively atmosphere of the town, either by day or by night.

Highlights

The afternoon activities can be lectures, excursions or guided visits.

Some examples are:

* Lectures
Italy on a Vespa
The Vespa: symbol of Italian creativity and sign of a popular phenomenon. A journey through advertising and cinema with the Vespa in the leading role, set against the background of defining social and cultural events in Italy up until the present day. The lecture makes extensive use of audio visual material.

* Body language, bad language, posing and poetry
The theatre of everyday spoken Italian and its lexicon of gestures with particular reference to the language of advertising.

* Listening to the Divine Comedy
The musicality of the language of this magnum opus, the original manifesto for the Italian language.

* Italian Cinema
A brief overview of the history and development of Italian cinema since the Second World War and consideration of some particular themes, illustrated by extracts from landmark films

* A musical journey through Italian cities in the songs of the singer-songwriters:
Bologna and Lucio Dalla, Milan and Giorgio Gaber, Naples and Pino Daniele &
A lecture/concert with noted musician Giulio DAgnello

* Music and society.
The singer-songwriters songs as a mirror of Italian society. Using a variety of audio and video resources we consider, in context, a selection of songs from foremost artists.

* Puccini, the man, the artist and ...La Boheme.
Using a variety of audio visual resources we discuss the life and work of Luccas most famous son and his most famous opera.

Guided visits

* The city seen from the walls.
A stroll on the city walls whilst learning about the history of Lucca, its geographical setting and its architectural development.

* Devils, saints, magic stones and pilgrim crosses.
A walk through the town, visiting key places relating to Luccas history, religion and superstitions.

Excursions
* The Tuscan villa of the XVIIth century and the art of the garden.

* Villages and hamlets: ancient traditions.
Excursion by train to Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. We visit the historic centre, the market, the Castle, the Cathedral and take a walk to the Fortress.

* The landscape of the hills and the culture of chestnuts.
Visit to Colognora di Pescaglia and the Chestnut Museum to discover how the chestnut was fundamental to the life of the region.

Languages

• Italian

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• Italian

Cost in US$:

Please contact us for program cost.

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Centro Koinè's Mission Statement

Our aim is to offer you the best start to your exploration of Italy and Italian culture. We will be delighted to equip you with a tool that will allow you to enjoy our country and our culture on a much deeper level: the Italian language. Look on the language as a key that opens the many doors to our way of life. Koine Center is officially authorized by the Italian Ministry of Education

Year Founded

1980