Saoirise reviews Basilique, home to the upcoming Paradise Lost production and the recent location for an in world Linden meeting. Basilique is owned and created by well known blogger Canary Beck.
Visit Basilique: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Our%20Island/112/123/24 and while you are there, consider entering the 20,000Ls photo contest in honor of Paradise Lost: http://wp.me/p6h0Nq-9D
‘A child who does not play is not a child, but the man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived in him and who he will miss terribly’….Pablo Neruda
Welcome to the small Italian village of Basilique, nestled in the northern area of the country. Set on an island within the largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda [Lago di Garda], is this city preserved true to the it’s real life parallels. This is an extraordinary place to visit here in our world, This is a village that truly feels as if you are home in northern Italy. I see the distinctive French influences to architecture. Teleports into the village placed me at one of two strategic locations; the Basilica home to Paradise Lost in SL or the Piazza near Silky’s Cafe. Both locations are ideal to begin to discover this wondrous place.
The designer of this SIM, Canary Beck, choose these locations well as a focal point for visitors. The first teleport hub placed me outside of the town’s basilica, In front of me is part of the intricate canal system of the village. To my right, I will make my way to the docks. I begin by turning to the left and enter the Roman Catholic Church now displaying part of Paradise Lost. The San Pietro Martire is constructed true to the preservation of historical detail. I see and feel the roughness of the brickwork on the front facade as I follow it around to the entrance. In my time here I have met many interesting people in the basilica.
Walking inside I saw more details of the care put into this design. Preservation shielding wall is thoughtfully installed. To the left is Mary and child, to the right fallen angel, Satan. Satan is part of Paradise Lost, Mary and Child is one of the many touches I wonder if the designer placed intentionally. Briefly, Paradise Lost is an epic poem by John Milton [English Poet] about the fall of man in the Christian bible. Twelve books long, it contains two narratives, one featuring Satan and the other featuring Adam and Eve. The Satan we see here today is one of the best AVIs you will see in our world. I stand before him now, watching the smoke puff out of his nostrils, wings detailed with damage from the fall. Music in the basilica is a somber selection from calmradio. I mention the sound as in this SIM, sound is true in both ambience and mood. I walked beyond the scene to view richly vibrant paintings on the walls of the former Church.
Outside sound shifts to a soft Jazz and ambient noises of a village. Birch trees around me, fallen leaves float on the canal in front of me. The leaves on the Birch trees small and round. In the water, the leaves have the same shape and are obviously from those trees. Details, lovely details, that most do not notice unless they are missing. Strolling around and I found bikes, fruit stands and detailed street signs with decorative fonts. I enjoy the graffiti, colorful and well placed in narrow Italian alley ways. I strolled down these alleys as well, the details are everywhere. I feel immersed in the village without a care.
Walking around the concrete below my feet is cracked and feels the weight of history upon it. I moved from the front of the basilica around the right side. Arriving on foot at the second teleport hub, the Piazza. Shops adorn the Piazza, and Miss Ford at Silky’s Cafe. will greet you. Here is a secret: she is well connected to the Satan in the Paradise Lost scene. My apologies to her if I gave away anything. Bellagio gallery currently features an intimate exhibit by the designer of this SIM. The other shop I will mention here is the pose shop. Along with the bikes scattered in the village with their interesting animations, this shop gave me additional enjoyment of self portraits and fun photos with visiting friends. Posing balls are throughout.
The treat for me at this Piazza is the Stone Tower. When Basilique was founded as a stronghold in 1292. This tower is all that remains of that stronghold after a fire destroyed the original structure in 1457. I walked each level to the top and enjoyed the feeling of the building. Before leaving this area, I must mention Black Market Records as another shop that I spent some time inside.
There is so much to see and to feel here, I didn’t just visit, I want to live here now. It has the most genuine feeling of village and of neighborhood. Ample opportunities to chat to others or to be on your own. I walk next to the Basilique Playhouse Ballroom within the former S. Maria dei Miracle Church. I found this to be one of the most intimate spots to chat, to be alone or to be with someone special. An inviting Grand Piano in the central fixture. You may play it, or not, there is even an Applause box. Art on the walls is from the time period where this served as the theatre until 2013 such as a Casting Call notice for Romeo and Juiiet.
I wander onward to the one club in the village, Bar Moderna. As the name implies, the inside is futuristic; with a crisp, and spacious lay out inside. My surprise was in the unbelievable view from this club of the lake and dock areas. Inside of the club looking outward I could see the lighthouse on the lake, the docks and the fountain outside of the Ballroom. The dance floor is a treat with sound panels and authentic speakers as well as a lighting system that is cutting edge.
I spent a lot of time in Basilique over a two day period, walking, sitting, listening. I made a new friend or two. I sat by the fountains outside of the Ballroom and on the Piazza. The best view is from the docks beyond the Pontile Mercuzio, looking in to the the village. Sunlight moves across the water warming me as I sit on the bench. I move to a yacht and notice the seagulls and the white swirls in the water. I stood here for an hour today before I began to write this review; showing myself as busy to anyone of sl; listening and absorbing the beauty around me
I could write much more about this village now but I encourage you to see it for yourself. There are still stories for me to live and to tell. There are places to lease for living in or for to lease for a shop but to my chagrin not many. I leave you now with this thought as I notice on the slight green of moss growing between the washed out boards on the dock…this village is art in vivid living motion. Don’t miss it. Artfully yours, Saoirse
Do visit their website:
Kultivate Arts 
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