305Z Spring 2026 History for Travelers: A Journey Through Time in Tuscany and Umbria

305Z  History for Travelers: A Journey Through Time in Tuscany and Umbria
Four sessions
Instructor: Laura Vinti
Mondays, 2:15—3:40, Apr. 20—May 11
We will discuss how Tuscany and Umbria played a central role in the development of Western civilization. Our journey will start with the ancient Etruscans, the earliest inhabitants of the region, a sophisticated people who organized gladiator games before the Romans and introduced the arch into Mediterranean architecture, laying the foundations for Roman aqueducts and the Colosseum. Next, we’ll learn about Tuscany and Umbria during the Roman era, then see how they fared after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. We’ll meet a remarkable reformer from Umbria, Saint Benedict, the father of Western Monasticism and founder of monasteries which became crucial centers of cultural preservation. Meanwhile, in Tuscany, successful Florentine merchants became wealthy bankers and patrons of the arts, ushering in the extraordinary flowering of the Renaissance. Please note that while this is a stand-alone course, it is also intended as an introduction to a spring 2027 tour through Tuscany and Umbria, being planned for OLLI members. 
Laura Vinti was born and raised in Italy. After 17 years in Germany and 15 years in the USA, she now lives in Florence. She has taught at several universities in Germany, the U.S., and Italy. Laura holds an MA in Foreign Languages and Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing.