ABOUT VISIONS OF ITALY

A mime artist near the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy, mocks visitor Edward Goldberg (Photo Lyle Goldberg, 2014) — Florence, Piazzale degli Uffizi; see Punked by a Mime Artist Outside the Uffizi Gallery. (Photo Lyle Goldberg)

How long have I been working on this website?

For my entire life, I would have to say, long before websites even existed.

For my own story—complicated or simple, depending on the point of view—see ITALY AND ME.

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Distant tower of the Italian hospital in Jerusalem, Israel, inspired by Florence's Palazzo Vecchio. (Photo Lyle Goldberg, 2025) — Jersualem, the tower of Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio rises above the old Italian Hospital. (Photo Lyle Goldberg)

VISIONS OF ITALY is divided into two sections—ITALY’S SECRET PLACES and JEWS IN ITALY.

Reflecting the general messiness of human experience, we cross back and forth—between diverse themes and between the present and the past.

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An art event (with Batman) inside the medieval Church of San Giovanni e Paolo in Spoleto, Italy (Photo Lyle Goldberg, 2012) — Spoleto, Church of San Giovanni e Paolo: Batman in the heart of the Middle Ages? Actually, an eclectic art installation. (Photo Lyle Goldberg)

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ITALY'S SECRET PLACES

What is a “place”? Where do we find it? On the ground, in the heart or in the mind?

What is a “secret”? More often than not, they are hidden in plain sight.

Where is Italy? On the map or somewhere else?

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Casale di Monferrato, Italy, inside the historic synagogue (Photo Lyle Goldberg, 2015) — Casale di Monferrato, Jew meets Jew inside the Great Synagogue. (Photo Lyle Goldberg)

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JEWS IN ITALY

What is a “Jew”? Past, present or future? In Italy or any place else?

I can’t promise easy answers but I hope that you will join the search.

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Lyle Goldberg on the Grand Canal in Venice photographs the Church of the Salute (Photo Edward Goldberg, 2025) — Lyle Goldberg in Venice, with device in hand. (Photo Edward Goldberg)

All the photos on this page (except the one immediately above) are by Lyle Goldberg, as are many others throughout this site.

For context, see WHERE DO THESE PICTURES COME FROM?

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Edward Goldberg at the Sferesterio (Historic Handball Court) in the Cascine Park in Florence, Italy. (Photo Lyle Goldberg, 2010) — Carrying my brother's camera bag, near the historic ball court (Sferisterio) in the Cascine Park on the edge of town. (Photo Lyle Goldberg). You can meet up with us at Going to the Indian, Part 3.