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This is San Lorenzo, designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, 1421 to 1440. Yep, this is what the facade looks like. This is an extreme example. Many of the buildings in Italy have exteriors that give little or no indication of the beauty of their interiors.
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This is the interior of San Lorenzo--a masterpiece of calm classicism. Dotted here and there are great works such as Donatello's bronze pulpits, and the Medici Chapels. |
Tomb of Guiliano de Medici, Duke of Nemours, (third son of Lorenzo the Magnificent) in the New Sacristy of San Lorenzo by Michelangelo. Statue in niche is Guiliano. Figure on left is titled "Night." Figure on right is "Day." |
Tomb of Lorenzo de Medici, Duke of Urbino, (son of Piero, Lorenzo the Magnificent's eldest son) from the New Sacristy of San Lorenzo by Michelangelo. Statue of Lorenzo overlooks "Dawn" right and "Twilight" left. |
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This is the unfinished tomb of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Guiliano de Medici.
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The cloister of San Lorenzo at the entrance to the Laurentian Library. It is considered the greatest historic library in Italy. |
On the last day of our trip to Florence we crossed the Ponte Vecchio headed for the Pitti Palace. The shops on the bridge were closed and many had decorative coverings as above. |
Our first view of the Pitti Palace was forboding. The book says "rusticated exterior." I say it looks like a prison. |
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We were totally blown away by the incredible beauty of the interior. Above is a window view of the courtyard and Boboli Gardens. The Pitti Palace was a later residence of the Medici Dukes and ultimately a royal residence. |
The Venus Room is in that part of the Palace called the Palatine Gallery. The ceiling here is by Pietro da Cortona. The paintings in this room are by Titian, Tintoretto, Sustermans, Guercino, Rubens, and others. |
This is a detail (taken by Estelle) of the ceiling in the Venus Room. It was painted in 1641, and depicts the Prince being snatched from the arms of Minerva by Venus. The decoration of the various rooms and their furnishings is incredible. |
Portrait of Thommaso Inghirami (1470-1516), librarian at the papal court if Leo X, by Raphael. Many works by Raphael are a dominent feature of the Gallery, but many other artists are represented. |
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Portrait of a Woman ("La Velata"), by Raphael, painted around 1516. |
The Prometheus Room. Works by Botticelli, Signorelli, Filippo Lippi, Reni, Granacci, and others. |
The Monumental Apartments include this Throne Room. |
This is the Room of Giovanni da San Giovanni. The number of stately rooms is staggering. |
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Also at the Pitti is the Museo Degli Argenti housing the Medici treasures. Above is a lapis lazuli vase by Bernardo Buontalenti. |
The Museum houses literally thousands of incredible items like this rock crystal vase in the shape of a bird. |
Above is a goblet in the shape of a shell from a German workshop. The Pitti also houses a Porcelain Museum, Costume Gallery, and Carriage Museum. |
The Silver Museum also has amazing pieces of furniture, like this cabinet by Leonard van der Vinne.
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There are many unusual pieces of jewelry, like this pendant in gold, pearls and precious stones. |
This is a statue called Abundance from the Boboli Gardens. |
The Boboli Gardens rise up the hill behind the Palace. "Abundance" at the top of the stairs looks down on the Neptune fountain in the foreground. |
Closeup of the Neptune Fountain. The Pitti Palace was an unforgettable experience. |
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I originally wanted to visit Santa Croce to see the Giotto frescos and Pazzi Chapel. I was more taken by the tombs we saw inside. |
This is the tomb of Michelangelo near the front entrance. There is also a memorial to Dante and one forEnrico Fermi. |
The tomb of Galileo. |
Here lies Niccolo Machiavelli.
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This is the tomb of Gioacchino Rossini.
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After leaving Santa Croce we headed toward the Synagogue. On the way we passed this open air flea market.
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The Florence Synagogue was beautiful, but alas, it was closed. Unfortunately, synagogues in Italy are under tight security.
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Best for last? This is a view of Florence from the Coffee House Balcony in the Boboli Gardens. A good place to rest after a hike through the gardens. And what a beautiful view to remember!
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