A rest day was on the cards after a long day on the bike, and so we piled into the car for a windy 90 minute drive to Cortina.

It being Corpus Domini, there was a great deal of carry-on in the town square, with a marching band, a whole bunch of banners, and some pretty impressive fancy hats.

The Santuario della Difesa Organ

It might be on the smaller side, but it certainly looks impressive. Built in 1924 by Vincenzo Mascioni, this organ must have cranked out some classics, although I’m not particularly familiar with Italian organ music. I shall do some research upon my return.

I could not find anyone who would let me have a turn.

Specifications

I Grand’Organo	II Espressivo	Pedale
Principale 16’	Principale violino 8’	Subbasso 16’
Principale 8’	Bordone 8’	Violone 16’
Flauto 8’	Gamba 8’	Bordone 8’
Salicionale 8’	Coro viole III 8’
Flauto traverso 4’	Eolina 4’
Ottava 4’	Armonia Eterea 2’
Ottavina 2’	Ripieno III
Ripieno IV
Tromba 8’

The Basilika St. Philipp & Jakob Organ

In the centre of town lies a magnificent organ which we were lucky enough to hear in full flight. Since it was in use for a significant religious service, I didn’t think it would be appropriate for me to find someone to ask if I could have a turn.

Specifications

I Positivo	II Grand’Organo	III Espressivo
Corno camoscio 8’	Corno Camoscio 16’	Principale 8’
Flauto delle Dolomiti 8’	Quintadena 16’	Flauto armonico 8’
Principale 4’	Principale 8’	Corno di notte 8’
Corno di notte 4’	Flauto del bosco 8’	Salicionale 8’
Terza 1 3/5’	Dulciana 8’	Voce celeste 8’
Larigot 1 1/3’	Prestante 4’	Ottava 4’
Piccolo 1’	Flauto camino 4’	Flauto traverso 4’
Cembalo III	Terza 3 1/5’	Nazardo 2 2/3’
Cromorno 16’	Ottava 2’	Flautino 2’
Regale 8’	Cornetto II-V	Terza 1 3/5’
Tremolo	Grave IV	Settima 1 1/7’
	Plenum IV-V	Progressio II-V
	Fagotto 16’	Fagotto 16’
	Tromba 8’	Tromba armonica 8’
	Cromorno 8’	Oboe 8’
	Tremolo	Schalmay 4’
		Tremolo

Pedale
Contrabasso 16’
Subbasso 16’
Gran Quinta 10 2/3’
Basso 8’
Flauto coperto 8’
Tiorba II
Quinta 5 1/3’
Corale 4’
Flautino 2’
Bombarda 16’
Cromorno 16’
Tromba 8’
Corno di bassetto 4’

The Montagners

After enjoying a delightful afternoon in Malmö with my cousin Scott, Sonia decided that should would have to one-up me, and bussed 9 of her cousins up the mountain for lunch.

Lunch consisted of aperitivi, pizza, pasta, wine, beer, coffee, grappa, gelato and a trip to the souvenir shop. Another successful family catch-up!

Arrivederci

After a pleasant few hours it was time to say goodbye, but not before we found the symbol of Cortina - the edelweiss. Sonia’s sole English-speaking cousin was curious as to what we call edelweiss in English, but all I could come up with was… “edelweiss”. If you have a better response please send it to me last week.