A photography workshop in Italy could not be based in a more appealing place than Orvieto, in Umbria, but on the borders of both Tuscany and Latium.
Orvieto is girded by city walls, fortresses, towers and gatehouses. You can walk the entire circumference below the walls on an easy, well made path in a little over an hour – there are stunning views across the Umbrian countryside towards the Appenines and the golden hills of Tuscany a mere 20km away. There is no country quite like Italy for its processions and street festivals. The townsfolk dress up in gorgeous mediaeval costume for Corpus Domini held every year sometime in June.
Gorgeously costumed knight
Cavalier and………….
Round head
Bolsena on the lake
The festival is part of the celebration of the Miracle of Bolsena. The story goes that a Bohemian monk returning from pilgrimage to Rome in 1263 had a crisis of faith, he no longer believed in transubstantiation (something similar happened to Luther with quite different results). Stopping to conduct mass in Bolsena on the shores of Lake Bolsena the host bled over the napkin. The bishop was summoned to witness the miracle, followed by the Pope who ordained that Orvieto Cathedral be especially built, starting in 1290, to house the miraculous relic. This is paraded through the city every year on the nearest Sunday to Corpus Christi (Corpus Domini), accompanied by knights, dames and damsels ……..and children.
Fresco in Orvieto Cathedral illustrating the legendary events concerning the miracle of Bolsena. The pope, Urban IV then resident in Orvieto, is dressed in starry yellow robes. Kneeling, he meets the bishop who has come from Lake Bolsena (the blue in the background) on the Bridge below Orvieto where he sees the blood stained linen ‘corporale’ for the first time.
Corpus Domini, Orvieto
The Holy Relic of the Bolsena Miracle in procession
Corpus Domini is for all ages
The young dame
The old Dame
Orvieto’s gothic Cathedral from across the valley
Corpus Domini Festival in Orvieto is spread over 2 days. The Dames and Damsels on Saturday afternoon, the knights, notaries and grandees Sunday morning. A wonderful opportunity to photograph costumes, take portraits, revel in folk lore, observe religious devotion and be with people having a wonderful time! A photography workshop in Italy could not be based in a more appealing place than Ovieto, and in a better time than June to enjoy the light and the colours. Camera Etrusca Corpus Domini Photo Workshops are held every year but the date varies. In 2019 it will be the weekend of 22/23 June. The workshop starts Friday 20 June.
- 4 days 3 nights (June 20-24) in B&B
- per person sharing double room (specify twin or double bed) price €800
- one person in double room € 895
- 7 days 6 nights (June 20-27) in B&B
- per person sharing double room (specify twin or double bed) regular price €1,485
- one person in double room € 1,750
Contact me for any detail about the photo courses, about your stay and itineraries. We can often find a custom solution if the one out of the box does not suit your needs.
