SWS Social Programme
If Art had held a capital city, that should have been Florence. The metropolis of the region Tuscany, Italy, was the centre of Medieval and Renaissance literature, philosophy and art. It was highly praised by many historians from these two and the succeeding epochs. Florence was frequently called “The Athens of the Middle Ages”. This is the birthplace of some of the most prominent Renaissance and Medieval intellectuals as Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Francesco Guicciardini, Donatello, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and last but not the least the Medici.
Florence is the dream of every artistic soul. Its museums, palaces, churches, and squares host some of the most exemplary and important artistic treasures in the world. After more than eight centuries, Florence is still one of the major Art centres and an irresistible source of creative inspiration. Welcome to the cradle of Arts and Humanities!
Welcome Cocktail
Day: October 26, 2020
Time: 18:00 - 19:30
Place: Auditorium al Duomo, Florence, IT
Welcome to Florence - Cocktail party
We shall start our scientific week with a Welcome Reception, where you all will all have the opportunity to meet each other and give the unofficial start of some new friendships. Do not forget your Mood for Fun and join us for the inauguration of the NEW scientific event.Thematic Field Trip
Day: October 28, 2020
Time: 9:30 - 17:00
Place: San Gimignano, Tuscany, IT
One-day bus trip to San Gimignano - Towerful Hill Town
About 25 miles from Florence, San Gimignano is beloved because of its skyline of medieval towers. The town was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
San Gimignano is one of the most well-preserved towns from the Middle Ages in Europe. It is located in the province of Siena, Tuscany, Italy. The town is settled on a hill and is surrounded by walls, wherein medieval towers survived the ravages of time and gained the nickname - the Town of Fine Towers. San Gimignano is famous for its excellently conserved Gothic and Romanesque architecture, including the Collegiate Church, Church of Sant' Agostino and The Palazzo Comunale, which contain paintings from 14th and 15th centuries. From 1990, the historic centre of San Gimignano became part of Unesco World Heritage site.
The town has ancient history, for in 1st century two castles were built on its site and gradually they became a small village. Between 6th and 7th centuries, the walls around the village appeared. The site was part of the prominent pilgrims’ road Via Francigena, and was famous for its fertile lands, which produced a lot of saffron and grape. San Gimignano was also praised for its Vernaccia wine, a favourite one for both poets and popes. During the Middle Ages due to the conflict between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines and the local families’ that supported one of the sides, there were built more than 70 towers competing each other’s height. Around 12 of them survived until today. The highest one, with its 54 meters, is Torre Grossa (1311). In 14th century, the town became subordinate to Florence, its development was put on halt and the place remained in its medieval state until 19th century.
San Gimignano was a great deal of inspiration for writers, artists and film directors. Among them are E.M. Foster, John Grisham, Franco Zeffirelli and M.C. Escher. The town keeps an enchanting medieval atmosphere and an air of imagination and therefore is an irresistible destination for poetic and romantic souls.
The SWS Society invites you to come on an unforgettable trip back to the imaginative epoch of Middle Ages and to explore the picturesque region around San Gimignano!
Note: Please, note that the programme is subject to change
and could be updated continuously up to the conference!
