A few Days in Italy in Fall 2017 – Part 8 – Florence 4

I start this Blog Post with the end of a day which is different from usually. But it does not matter too much. So here are two lions looking at each other. Which one would you use to “ring the bell”?

Above the entrance of the Opera Museum

Piazzale Michelangelo

If you ever get to Florence you have to get up to Piazzale Michelangelo at last once for the sunset. The view is amazing – it is THE place to let the eye wander and see all the towers of that amazing city.

Michelangelo is still wondering why so many people come up here

View over the city from the Piazzale Michelangelo

Sundowner of the day: Nastro Azzurro

The Gate of Saint Nicholas. Only a few steps from here we waited for our bus to get us back to our bungalow. Over there: a welcome home beer, some salad, and red wine.

The next Day

Fresh food coming

Tempio Maggiore Israelitico or The Great Synagogue of Florence. Construction started in 1874 and lasted till 1882.

At the Via della Colonna

The old pharmacy

Some got a monkey on the back – they have one above the door

Basilica di San Marco

The church was built on a place that was a monastery since the twelfth century. Construction began in 1437 and it took 6 years before it was consecrated on the night of the epiphany in 1443. The bell tower was built in 1512. Over the years they build some side chapels and in 1679 the carved grandstand and ceiling. In 1712 the dome was raised. The façade was build in 1777. You see – such a church is almost never finished. But now they only renovate.

Unfortunate they placed a bus stop in front of it. And the square in front of it is full of tourists and locals alike. But as soon as you enter the church all the hustle and noise of the outside world stops as soon as the large wood door closes.

Look! He has a dog!

Presbytery and high altar in the back

A canvas was added to the center of the ceiling in 1725. The Assumption of the Virgin from Giovanni Antonio Pucci.

The Assumption of the Virgin

They needed a lot of extra wood work to support the heavy ceiling. But look at the frame!

Presbytery and high altar

OK – this one is sitting and not on the cross – nice for a change

The “Presepe” composed with an interesting mix of pieces. The Christ child is from Donatello’s workshop while the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and other pieces are by Giovanni della Robbia. The figures are almost life-sized which makes them an interesting addition to the other art in this church.

Lets move on

Cross at the corner of the Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Street Art

All you need is LOVE

Nice Lion

Santi Michele e Gaetano

Santi Michele e Gaetano or the Church of Saints Michael and Gaetano is located at the Piazza Antinori and is dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The locals usually call it only San Gaetano and it is one of the most important examples of the Baroque style in the city. The original church dates back at least to the eleventh century. The first time it was mentioned was in 1055 when it belonged to the Abbey of Nonantola.
Construction of the new church started in 1604. The choir was completed in 1633, the nave and side chapels in 1649. The building was finished in 1701.

The glimpse with the statue of San Gaetano by Balthasar Permoser on the left and a statue of Sant’Andrea Avellino by Anton Francesco Andreozzi on the right

Speranza and Poverta next to the Coat of arms of the Theatines by Balthasar Permoser

High altar in the back of the church. In the upper part of the nave is one of the most important sculptural cycles of the seventeenth-century in Florence. A series of marble statues of Apostles and Evangelists. Below each statue there are one or two reliefs depicting episodes of their life. On the left you can see Saint Peter and San Giuda Taddeo. On the right St. Paul and St. Thomas.

The high altar from Silvani Pierfrancesco was consecrated on 29 August 1649. On the sides of the altar you can see the coats of arms of Cardinal Domenico Maria Corsi and the Marquis Giovanni Corsi

Lots of flying angels carry the cross

Looks like they enjoy this game! Chapel of Saint Helena or of the Holy Cross. The chapel is the work of the architect Malvisti from 1644. It is considered by some to be his masterpiece.

Nice frame!

Saints adoring the Trinity and the Madonna by Matteo Rosselli

God the Father in the fastigium of the chapel of the Nativity

Hello Jesus! Nativity of Christ by Matteo Rosselli in the Chapel of the Nativity

More renovation needed

Hello baby!

Sometimes you will have a hard time to see what is on the pictures because of the terrible reflection

The organ

Apparition of the Sacred Heart to Santa Margherita Maria Alacoque in the Mazzei Chapel

Maria again

Back to the streets of Florence

Let’s get out and see some more

At Via dei Martelli

Shoeshop at the Via dei Gori

Monumento a Giovanni delle Bande Nere

Art at the Borgo la Noce

Old Bar at the Piazza del Mercato Centrale

Mercato Centrale

Inside the Mercato Centrale

Vegetables at the Mercato Centrale in Florence

Meat at the Mercato Centrale in Florence

Roasted chicken

Back to the streets again

Cooking school at the Piazza del Mercato Centrale

You still find some quiet streets even in the center of the city

Some Street Art

Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Coat of arms of the Medici

The Palazzo Medici is also called the Palazzo Medici Riccardi after the later family that acquired and expanded it. It is the seat of the Metropolitan City of Florence and also a museum. The palace was designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo for Cosimo de’ Medici. He was the head of the Medici banking family. Construction started in 1444 and was finished in 1484.

Giardino Di Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Detail above the door at the Giardino Di Palazzo Medici Riccardi

Orpheus statue by Baccio Bandinelli,

Must have been his favourite dog?

View from 17 Via del Ginori

Nobody know how many treasures are hidden behind the front doors

Generale Manfredo Fanti at the Piazza San Marco

Detail of the Generale Manfredo Fanti statue

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