A few Days in Italy in Fall 2017 – Part 9 – Florence 5

Let’s continue the walk where we stopped it in Part 8 of the Fall 2017 trip to Florence. We continue to walk the small streets and take a look over the river as well. Follow me, please :-)

The Basilica della Santissima Annunziata (or Basilica of the Most Holy Annunciation) at the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata

The door of the Basilica

Detail above the door

Looking down Via dei Servi

Ferdinando I

Ospedale degli Innocenti

The Hospital of the Innocents was originally a children’s orphanage. It was built and managed by the “Arte della Seta” or the Silk Guild of Florence.

The vault of the poccetti

Detail from the Istituto degli Innocenti

Back to the street again

At the wall of the Dratorio di San Pierino

A bar at #8 Via Gino Capponi

Palazzo Capponi at 26 Via Gino Capponi

Another one of those gates: 32 Via Gino Capponi

More Street Art

Tower of the Tempio Chiesa Valdese or the Holy Trinity Church

There you go! Breastfeeding in public! And nipples! Why are Americans so prude :-(

Basilica of Santa Maria Novella

Detail above the door

The most famous bridge in town: Ponte Vecchio

And the not famous at all Ponte Alla Carraia

An artists sitting on St Trinity Bridge and her piece of the Ponte Vecchio.

Street Art

On the Ponte Vecchio

Detail from a house at 18 Via Calimala

Street Art?

At the Casa dei Cavallereschi

Church and Museum of Orsanmichele

If you wonder about the name – you are right. It is rather long for a church but it is three words in one. The building is first documented in 895 as an oratory in the San Michele monastery. It was surrounded by a vegetable garden a place that the Italians call Orto.
So over the years the place was named Or-San-Michele. The original building was demolished in 1290 and a loggia was built there. It was used to sell grain but soon it became a place of devotion. Even miracles happened here at an image of the Virgin that was painted on a pillar – at last, that is what was said. A fire and a new building later the image of the Virgin was replaced by another image. This time Bernardo Daddi painted the Madonna and Child in 1346. More miracles later the place could no longer be a market and trade building. All the guilds had some tabernacles commissioned that were placed around the building in the wall.

Arte dei Maniscalchi (Guild of Blacksmiths) Saint Eligius by Nanni di Banco from 1420

Confirmed by what is under his feet – working hard

Tabernacle by Andrea Orcagna from 1359. Now you know why he was one of the best! Some say this is THE jewel of Gothic art in Florence.

Madonna by Bernardo Daddi from 1346

The glass in the back shows the Miracle of the sinful abbess, the drowned sacristan and the Last communion with a dying woman. I know it is a bit far…. SORRY!

Arte dei Cambiatori e Banchieri (Guild of the Money Changers and Lenders) Saint Matthew by Lorenzo Ghiberti from 1423

Arte dei Beccai (Guild of Butchers) Saint Peter from 1413 by Donatello

Arte dei Calzaiuoli (Guild of Shoemakers) Saint Philip by Nanni di Banco 1410-1412

Arte dei Maestri di Pietra e di Legname (Guild of Stone and Wood Masters) The Four Crowned Saints group by Nanni di Banco 1414-1417

And this is the wood and stone workshop

Arte dei Corazzai e Spadai (Guild of Armourers and Swordmakers) Saint George by Donatello 1417

Still busy killing the last dragons

Arte di Mercanzia (Guild of Merchants Court) Christ and Doubting Thomas by Verrocchio from 1465/66

Andrea Orgagna a painter, sculptor, and architect – the guy that made the tabernacle inside – remember?

St. Antonio – rather sad :-(

Do you want to stay up to date and not miss a post? Subscribe to the blog on the top right or all the way down on this page!
Support my blog: Book your hotel here

Booking.com