Francesco's Mediterranean Voyage (BBC)

From DocuWiki

[edit] General Information

Travel Documentary hosted by Francesco da Mosto, published by BBC in 2008 - English narration

[edit] Cover

[edit] Information

Architect and film-maker Francesco da Mosto sets off on a journey sailing from Venice in Italy to Istanbul in Turkey, retracing the trade routes of his ancestors.

[edit] 1. Arrivederci Venezia

His first tasks are to research the voyage, learn vital new skills and gain the respect of his crew, with whom he will be spending the next few months at sea.

[edit] 2. Istria and Split

The crew heads down the Croatian coast, where Francesco's first challenge is to scale the heights of the main mast to hang the Venetian flag aloft. They drop anchor in the beautiful city of Split where they visit Roman Emperor Diocletian's retirement villa - the oldest lived-in palace in the world.

[edit] 3. Bosnia and Dubrovnik

Francesco visits the historic Mostar Bridge, now rebuilt after being destroyed in the Yugoslav war. After sailing between the Croatian islands of Hvar and Korcula, he arrives in the walled city of Dubrovnik and visits the Franciscan monastery at its heart.

[edit] 4. Montenegro and Albania

Francesco explores a shipwreck, meets Miss Montenegro and stops off in Tirana, the capital of Albania, where mayor Edi Rama has ordered the painting of many old buildings. He also visits the pirate fortress town of Ulcinj, and Duress - a poor area facing an uncertain future.

[edit] 5. Corfu and Greece

The Black Swan makes good headway as it enters Greek waters, but disaster strikes when the mainsail rips and the vessel barely reaches the next port - Corfu. Back on dry land, Francesco enjoys a game of cricket and meets David Bellamy, who points him in the direction of the island's animal life.

[edit] 6. The Gulf of Corinth

Francesco faces a difficult journey as he manoeuvres under the Rio Antirio bridge and navigates the narrow Corinth Canal. He stops off at Mount Parnassus to visit the mystical site of the Oracle at Delphi, before observing sacred temple the Parthenon on the Acropolis overlooking Athens and meeting singer Nana Mouskouri in the National Gardens of Greece.

[edit] 7. The Peloponnese

Francesco travels by scooter to the ancient Greek theatre at Epidaurus to experience for himself the extraordinary acoustics. Moving on to the Venetian fortress of Methoni, he learns how it became an important trading centre in the 13th century for people travelling to the Holy Land.

[edit] 8. The Cyclades

Francesco follows the modern-day pilgrimage route to the island of Tinos and its reputedly miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary as he sails through the Cyclades archipelago. On Delos, he investigates the temples of a more ancient religion, while Naxos is the site for an octopus fishing expedition.

[edit] 9. Crete

Francesco learns about the palace of Knossos, legendary home of King Minos and the Minotaur, and a site of historic international importance. After attending a riotous traditional Greek wedding, he visits the former leper colony of Spinalonga, the setting for Victoria Hislop's novel The Island.

[edit] 10. The Dodecanese

Francesco journey takes him to the islands of Leros, where Mussolini tried to create a fascist utopia during the 1940s, and Patmos, reputedly where the Book of Revelation was written almost 2,000 years ago. Upon reaching Turkey's Turquoise Coast, the architect spots loggerhead turtles.

[edit] 11. The Dardanelles

Francesco pays his respects to the soldiers commemorated at the war cemeteries of Gallipoli, monument to the Dardanelles campaign of World War One. In Edirne, he views Turkey's largest mosque and the second-oldest recognised sporting event after the Olympics, while Bursa reveals the origins of the doner kebab.

[edit] 12. Istanbul

Francesco reaches the former Turkish capital, Istanbul, a city founded as the centrepiece of the former Ottoman Empire, bestriding the Bosphorus Strait. After touring the Topkapi Palace and an underground city, he tries selling rugs at the bazaar before taking a relaxing Turkish bath and massage.