History

The History of Texas A&M in Italy

Texas A&M began its Italian Program in 1982 at La Poggerina, located in the Valdarno near Florence. The original idea driving the development of the study experience in Italy is one that remains the basic motivation today: to offer students a cross-cultural experience that would enhance their historical consciousness and cultural awareness. Texas A&M's programs in Italy incorporate the sharing of ideas and experiences across cultures that is the essence of diversity and internationalization. Through the years, these programs have allowed many students to broaden their horizons academically, culturally, and personally.

Students have been encouraged to complete either a six week summer session or a full semester of course work in Italy. Courses have been offered from a variety of academic disciplines including liberal arts, engineering, business, and architecture. In June 1989, Texas A&M University opened the Santa Chiara Study Center in Castiglion Fiorentino.

Italart

Since 1982, Professor Barucchieri has provided Art History classes and seminars for TAMU; he is also the director of Santa Chiara and Italart, the non-profit cultural organization that administers services and activities at the study center. The association follows the guidelines determined by law for cultural associations by offering services only to participants. While staying at Santa Chiara, students and faculty are considered members of Italart.

Santa Chiara Centro di Studi

In 1989, due to the pending sale of the Poggerina property, Texas A&M decided to relocate the program, choosing Castiglion Fiorentino as the site for its resident study complex. The mayor of Castiglion Fiorentino proposed the use of Santa Chiara, and, after being approved by the Town Hall, restoration works to the building commenced. The ITALART TAMU Study Center, known as Santa Chiara, is located in the charming, medieval town of Castiglion Fiorentino. While sections of the building date back to the 1400s and earlier, the main structure was completed in the 1930s. The facility, which measures approximately 5,000 square meters, was a girl's academy from the 1930s to the 1970s. Perched on the southeast edge of the walled city, the three-story, U-shaped structure surrounds a courtyard. The courtyard boasts an inspiring view of the Val di Chio, part of the larger Val di Chiana (a series of valleys formed by the foothills of the Apennine Mountains). The Center includes dormitory accommodation, design studios, classroom space, a small theater,administrative offices, student lounge, small library, kitchen, and dining area.

 

The History of Castiglion Fiorentino

Like many of the small towns of the Val di Chiana, Castiglion Fiorentino's history begins in the Etruscan and Hellenistic periods (4th - 6th century B.C.). The original name of the town was Castiglion Aretino (for Arezz) until the Florentines siezed the town and changed the name to Castiglion Fiorentino in 1384. Castiglion Fiorentino, as it exists today, dates back to the 11th century. From the 10th century (when historical documents acknowledge a town with the name Castiglione) to the 18th century (when the Florentine domination of the town ceased), Castiglion Fiorentino was dominated, at various times, by the larger surrounding cities of Arezzo, Florence, Siena, and Perugia. From 1800 to 1814, the town was garrisoned by Napolean's troops. In recent years, archaeological digs conducted at the Piazzale del Cassero in Castiglion Fiorentino unearthed the remains of an Etruscan city wall (ca. 4th cent. B.C.), and evidence confirms that one of the churches in town (la chiesa di S. Angelo) is built on top of an Etruscan temple. Some of the Etruscan artifacts found during the excavations are on display in the Palazzo Pretorio (Courthouse). In more recent history, the military activity in Italy during World War II caused notable damage to the historic center of Castiglion Fiorentino and a large part of the surrounding territory. Today, Castiglion Fiorentino is a town of approximately 11,000 inhabitants. Located near Arezzo (the birthplace of Renaissance architect Giorgio Vasari and poet Francesco Petrarca) and Florence.

9-11 Monument Project

The idea of erecting a monument dedicated to the memory of all victims of war and terrorism was born in the design class (CARC 311-550) of Prof. Paolo Barucchieri in the fall of 2001.  Following the devastating images of the destruction of the New York Twin Towers in 2001, the students of Texas A&M University attending a design course at the Santa Chiara Study Center slowly began to elaborate ideas and proposals for a monument that would give significance to the friendship and support that was shown them by the community of Castiglion Fiorentino and call attention to the memories they share.  This became the first monument dedicated to the 9/11 tragedy established outside of the United States.  The symbology of the monument was to remind us of both the Twin Towers and the Tower of the Cassero (a landmark in Castiglion Fiorentino).  The monument is almost three meters tall and is made of pink travertine marble, black granite and pietra serena  It is located in via Trento creating a small park facing the Val di Chio.

The various design proposals were presented to the Mayor and his committee; they selected the proposal of Whitney Skinner, Virginia Sternat and Lisa Andel.  Every year the local community hosts a memorial ceremony in this location where authorities of the town, Province and Region, as well as the Santa Chiara community meet to remember all the victims lost to war and terrorism.

Memory

 Dedicated to those lost in acts of war and terror 

Memories fortify our fragile human existence.

Without them, there would be no love, there would be no love, there would be no pain, and there would be no growth.

Hold dear your memories for unlike other precious gifts, without them, all would be lost.

Genevieve Wilcox 

Memorie 

Dedicata a tutte le vittime di Guerra e terrorismo

 Memorie rafforzano la nostra fragile esistenza umana.

Senza di esse, non ci sarebbe amore, non ci sarebbe dolore, e non ci sarebbe crescita. 

Tenetevi forte alle vostre memorie, non sono come altri doni preziosi, senza tutto sarebbe perduto. 

Genevieve Wilcox

 Monument by students of spring 2002 semester Whitney Skinner, Ginny Sternat and Lisa Andel