Gallileos tomb...
Another mystery trip involving many wheels!
- Thread starter gerarddwatts
- Start date
Gallileos tomb...
Michaelangelos tomb..
Both in the same church!
To stand and marvel at the contributions each made to art, to science, to civilisation...
Yet, among such wonders it is heartening to see that the Florentians are prepared to offer facilities to Fifers...
To stand and marvel at the contributions each made to art, to science, to civilisation...
Yet, among such wonders it is heartening to see that the Florentians are prepared to offer facilities to Fifers...
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We were recommended a particular spot for gelati....he wasn't wrong..
Although its gone down a bit, The Arno was still in flood.
They had a great flood in 1966 when the river was 7 or 8 metres higher than it is now; it did massive amounts of damage to frescos and artworks in the nearby Basilica di Santa Croce...where Michaelangelo, Gallileo, Dante, and Machiavelli....and lots of others are buried.
After several decades of restoration these works have been replaced, but on pulleys so they can be lifted clear of floodwater!
They had a great flood in 1966 when the river was 7 or 8 metres higher than it is now; it did massive amounts of damage to frescos and artworks in the nearby Basilica di Santa Croce...where Michaelangelo, Gallileo, Dante, and Machiavelli....and lots of others are buried.
After several decades of restoration these works have been replaced, but on pulleys so they can be lifted clear of floodwater!
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gerrard, apologies for this crass post. it was supposed to be a reflection on life in general but on going through the thread again it looks personal. me being a dickhead again. sorry.why is it in a lot of marraiges there is a fat one and a thin one?
There seems to be a lot of beef and it all looks lovely meat, well aged and cared for, is that a feature of Firenze or what stops you in your tracks as walk though the markets?
It is a feature of Firenze....Bistecca Fiorentino....it is supposed to be 3 fingers thick, preferably from a Chianina cow, cooked rare. Sold by the kilogram. That would suit me but not Cherry, and I don't think I could manage one on my own...
It also stops me in my tracks as I walk through the markets!
Most of the better restaurants have an ageing cabinet by the entrance with the meat on display...such as the photy above....that is a restaurant, not a butchers..a carnivores delight!
I did initially add a laughing smiley but I feel that a solid dislike is more appropriate for this particular postI look forward to telling Maureen all about our trip..Commodore, sleepers, 1st class trains, superior rooms, luxury coach travel, wine tastings etc etc
Today we are to have a small group guided tour of tha Accademia(Michaelangelo's David statue) and the Uffizzi gallery.
I chose to pay for this to avoid queuing and for the guide to show us the most worthwhile bits in the Uffizzi. With only limited time it would be a shame to miss the best of the enormous collection.
Looks like not a bad day.
Very pleased with hotel choice.
Excellent location within walking distance of everything, including station, very good breakfast. All good.
I chose to pay for this to avoid queuing and for the guide to show us the most worthwhile bits in the Uffizzi. With only limited time it would be a shame to miss the best of the enormous collection.
Looks like not a bad day.
Very pleased with hotel choice.
Excellent location within walking distance of everything, including station, very good breakfast. All good.
Back to the hotel.... The bathroom was huge with full length mirrors....I was able to take a selfie.....
A day of culture and enlightenment.
Firstly a tour of the Uffizzi. One of the foremost collections of art in the world.
Michaelangelo, Leonardo, Raffael, Boticelli, Titian....2000 paintings, and then all the sculptures....picture overload to be honest.
At least we had someone who knew what they were talking about to show us the 'important' works.
This is the only free standing painting by Michaelangelo in the world....he even did the frame
Firstly a tour of the Uffizzi. One of the foremost collections of art in the world.
Michaelangelo, Leonardo, Raffael, Boticelli, Titian....2000 paintings, and then all the sculptures....picture overload to be honest.
At least we had someone who knew what they were talking about to show us the 'important' works.
This is the only free standing painting by Michaelangelo in the world....he even did the frame
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A couple of hours here and then a hike to the Accademia.
Therein lies...stands...several works by Michaelangelo.
Unusually, he never worked from models, he got stuck straight into great lumps of marble.
He was very devout, and thought that everything was created by God; his job was to 'release' the work created by the Lord from the marble.
He was a prodigous talent, starting as a teenager; his last carving was at the age of 85.
And did the Sistine Chapel in between...
Again, information overload. I reckon you could spend months in the Uffizzi looking at the collection.
Therein lies...stands...several works by Michaelangelo.
Unusually, he never worked from models, he got stuck straight into great lumps of marble.
He was very devout, and thought that everything was created by God; his job was to 'release' the work created by the Lord from the marble.
He was a prodigous talent, starting as a teenager; his last carving was at the age of 85.
And did the Sistine Chapel in between...
Again, information overload. I reckon you could spend months in the Uffizzi looking at the collection.
I would suggest that Florence is not a place to visit on a bike....or even a car...best staying nearby and coming in by bus or train.
The tourist season starts this weekend and I wouldn't want to be here if it was busier than it is now!
The tourist season starts this weekend and I wouldn't want to be here if it was busier than it is now!
Absolutely terrific Gerard. I just love this true art and genius on display. 
What a city
What a city
Good advice, we took the train in from our base near Perugia.
So today being Easter Sunday, there is a famous medieval ceremonyat the Duomo....the explosion of the cart....a cart is towed by white oxen to the piazza by the Duomo.
During the mass the cardinal lights a symbolic dove which flies outside to the cart, which is loaded wirh fireworks. The gortunes of the next harvest are dictated by the distance the dove makes it back inside on its return.
An interesting conjunction between pagan festival and religion....
There is a procession of folk, bands etc dressed in 15 century kit.
A very colourful spectacle...absolutely hoaching with folk!
During the mass the cardinal lights a symbolic dove which flies outside to the cart, which is loaded wirh fireworks. The gortunes of the next harvest are dictated by the distance the dove makes it back inside on its return.
An interesting conjunction between pagan festival and religion....
There is a procession of folk, bands etc dressed in 15 century kit.
A very colourful spectacle...absolutely hoaching with folk!
We got blessed again...I was able to shield Cherry preventing possible explosion...
Even the traffic wardens were smart..
The fireworks were a spectacle that went on for 10 minutes.
I'll try and workout how to load a video..
I'll try and workout how to load a video..
