Fountains and Tabernacles of Tuscany

  Italy

Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 2008: May 3 - May 17, Aug 2 - Aug 16, Aug 16 - Aug 30, Aug 30 - Sep 13

Description: Research Mission
Help preserve Tuscany's rich heritage by finding and restoring neglected cultural treasures along winding country roads.

Situation Report
Castelfiorentino, Tuscany - Known for their colorful history and delicious food, Tuscany's rural, rolling hills are covered by vineyards, olive trees, gardens, and occasional stone farmhouses. The best known Tuscan landmarks, like Pisa's leaning tower and many of the Renaissance era gems of Florence, are well maintained by the Italian government, but Tuscany's rich heritage reaches well beyond these areas crowded with tourists. Roads built by the Roman Empire still wind between family farms in the countryside, and are dotted with the jewels of art and history. Dry fountains and crumbling shrines and tabernacles mark the historical importance of these rural routes, but the future of these relics rests with you. Working with Dr. Alessandro Casoli and his team, you will help uncover, restore, and preserve the beauties of the past before they are forever lost.

Meals and Accomodations
Teams will stay in a country hostel, boasting comfortable beds, hot showers, and a pleasant kitchen and dining room. A cook will prepare continental breakfasts, buffet lunches, and Mediterranean dinners, including dishes made with pasta and fresh harvest vegetables. Volunteers will work with the chef to prepare and clean up meals.

Highlights: Under the Tuscan sun, on roads lined with grapevines and cypress trees, you will help find, map, record, and restore relics such as fountains and tabernacles. The area you will explore was home to the Etruscans, the region where the ancient Roman Empire grew, and, of course, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and all its wonders of art and science. Depending on research demands, you may help clear structures for complete visibility, repair masonry, restore surfaces, draw or photograph the structures, process data, or help make recommendations for monument conservation. In your recreational time, a wealth of Tuscan restaurants and museums beckon, as do tours of the Renaissance Fortress of Poggio Imperiale in Poggibonsi, the tabernacle frescos of the Florentine Renaissance painter Benozzo Gozzoli in Castelfiorentino, and the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Colle Val d'Elsa.

Qualifications: Earthwatch volunteers are enthusiastic to learn about the research topic and are willing to contribute their time and energy to support leading scientists in conducting field research. Volunteers will be trained upon arrival at the research site. Teams have a minimum age of 18, unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian, in which case the minimum age is 16.

Cost in US$: 2,746

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Earthwatch volunteers come from all walks of life; teachers, students, doctors, business people, individuals Earthwatch expeditions appeal to a variety of people: educators gain new knowledge and develop exciting lesson plans; students explore career options and build research skills; writers, photographers and artists contribute their skills and share their experiences through a variety of media; businessmen and women, doctors and nurses, engineers, homemakers, retirees . . . people from all walks of life choose to volunteer on research expeditions each year. Volunteers are actively engaged on a daily basis with the research project, develop global perspectives, and explore new cultures and environments.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Italy Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 6 - 12

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Earthwatch Institute's Mission Statement: Earthwatch Institute engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Through a unique method of funding, the volunteers Share of Cost contributes directly to the support of the research projects. Earthwatch enables scientists to pursue research goals and members of the public to gain hands-on experience with science. Each year, over 4,000 people from 46 countries directly contribute to scientific research by working alongside scientists, local community members and other volunteers. Earthwatch volunteers can track sea turtles; join archaeological digs; observe animal behavior; collect rare plants, study dolphin behavior and more. Hundreds of expedition teams can use your help in 48 countries and 16 U.S. states this year.

Year Founded: 1971