U
Ucria (ME): A commune in the province of Messina.
Ugento (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 11,836 (2006e).
Uggiano la Chiesa (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 4,286 (2006e).
Umbriatico (KR): A commune in the province of Crotone. Population: 2,326 (2006e)
Underworld Painter: ( fl c.330-c.310 BC). Vase painter. Centered in ancient Apulia, he receives his name from a famous monumental volute krater found at Canosa (Munich, Staatl. Antikensamml., 3297), with a multi-figured composition showing Pluto and Persephone in their Palace surrounded by figures of the Underworld. Art historians consider this work to be one of the most important of a group of late Apulian vases attributed to various painters that show Underworld scenes. The Underworld Painter is notable for and his individualistic treatment of the Underworld theme and his particular interest in the fate of Orpheus.
Uni: An Etruscan goddess, equivalent to the Roman Juno.
Urban I, St.: Pope. (r222/223-230).
Urban II: Pope. (rMar 12, 1068-July 29, 1099).
Urban III: Pope. (rNov 25, 1185-Oct. 19, 1187).
Urban IV: Pope. (rAug 29, 1261-Oct 2, 1264).
Urban V: Pope. (rSept 28, 1362-Dec 19, 1370).
Urban VI: Pope. (rApr 8, 1378-Oct 15, 1389).
Urban VII: Pope. (rSept 15-27, 1590).
Urban VIII: Pope. (rAug 6, 1623-July 29, 1644).
Uria: See Hyrium.
Ursulsines: An order of nuns founded by St. Ursula of Naples.
Ururi (CB): A commune in the province of Campobasso. Population: 2,977 (2006e).
Ustica (PA): A commune and island in the province of Palermo.
History: A castle was built on the island in 1761 as a protection against Barbary pirates. This brought about enough security to allow a return of a population.
Vaccarini, Giovanni Battista: (b. Feb. 3, 1702 in Palermo; d. Mar. 11, 1768 in Palermo). Architect. Having studied architecture at Rome, he returned to Sicily in c1730, where he did much to advance the Sicilian Baroque style. Most of his work was centered in and around Catania, redeveloping the area hit hard by the earthquake of 1693.
Vaccarizzo Albanese (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 1,265 (2006e).
Vaccaro, Andrea: b. 1598, in Naples; d. 1670, in Naples. Painter. A pupil of Stanzioni, he was also influenced by the styles of Caravaggio and Guido. After the death of Stanzioni, Vaccaro was said to have been the greatest painter of the Neapolitan school. Among his best works was a “Holy Family” in the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Naples.
Vaccaro, Lorenzo: (b. 1655, Napoli, d. 1706, Torre del Greco). Sculptor, architect, silversmith and painter. Originally intending to follow a legal career, he turned to art and became a pupil of Cosimo Fanzago. On Fanzago’s death in 1678, Vaccaro inherited several of his unfinished commissions., including the marble monument to Francesco Rocco in the church of the Pieta dei Turchini, Naples. He later created several bronze and silver figures in the cathedral of S Gennaro, Naples (1679), marble putti in the church of Santa Croce, Torre del Greco (1680), stucco figures in the church of Gesu delle Monache, Naples (1681-5), and two terracottas depicting the Labors of Hercules. Over the last two decades of the 17th century, Vaccaro’s workshop created several important works of art including stucco decorations (1682) in the church of S Giorgio, over life-size stucco statues of St Helena and St Constantine (both 1689) in the church of S. Giovanni Maggiore and the light and graceful stucco decoration (1693-98) of the transept and cupola of the church of S Agostino degli Scalzi. Vaccaro was in the forefront of the change from High Baroque style to the more refined treatment known as barocchetto.
Vacri (CH): A commune in the province of Chieti. Population: 1,803 (2006e).
Vaglio Basilicata (PZ): A commune in the province of Potenza.
Vairano Patenora (CE): A commune in the province of Caserta. Population: 6,358 (2006e).
Valderice (TP): A commune in the province of Trapani.
Val di Demone: A former district of Sicily, encompassing the NE portion of the island.