Santa Giulia Museum ---

"With soft braids scattered on her heaving chest, palms extended slowly, and her white face wet with death, the pious one lies, with trembling gaze searching the sky." Thus Alessandro Manzoni celebrates Ermengarda, the Lombard princess repudiated by Charlemagne, and her tragic story. Whether fact or legend, this majestic monastic complex lends itself to evoking mythical and ancient events, especially since it stands on an archaeological site of great importance that preserves layered memories of past centuries. Today a prestigious museum, Santa Giulia houses two rare gems: the Winged Victory and the Cross of King Desiderio. The first is a large and elegant bronze sculpture representing the Goddess of Victory. Consider that Napoleon was so fascinated by the beauty of the statue that he wanted a copy, which now