GLI STIVALI IN CITTA DI FIRENZE

OOPS - I FORGOT TO ZOOM IN ON THESE BOOTS!!

Thought the ladies back home would like to see what they are wearing around town in the casual mode.

CHARMING LUCCA

San Michele -Italian workers on strike for 500 yrs. The nave is not yet complete!! Actually the church ran out of funds.

Ramparts surround Lucca.

San Frediano with a 14th century mosaic- inside is the lace clad mummy of St. Zita circa 1250.

Piazza dell'Anfiteatra- here once stood the ancient Roman amphitheater. Some of the medieval buildings built around the amphitheater retain its original oval shape and brick arches.

Piazza dell'Carmine-  in honor of mio padre who liked to eat!! You can see here that walking and riding a bike on the narrow cobblestone streets are very common in Lucca.

Torre Guinigi- a Palazzo with a grove of ilex trees growing at the top of the tower. A climb of 265 steps awards you with a beautiful view of the city with its terracotta roofs.

Homes and buildings in charming Lucca.

Top of the ramparts circling Lucca - a perfect place for a stroll or bike ride.

The famous composer Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca.

Ramparts built in the 16th century enclose this charming town of Lucca which is filled with 99 churches. It is important that I show you a picture of all 99 chiese. Just kidding. As shown above the ramparts circling la citta are a perfect place to take a stroll, ride a bike, kick a ball, or just stand and look down upon Lucca. But be aware at all times of where the edge is- there are no railings and the drop from the wall to the ground can be as high as 40 feet. This upscale yet quaint city has terracotta roof buildings and narrow cobblestone strade. The historic center is restricted to motorists. Therefore walking and biking are the most efficient and most enjoyable way to get around the neighborhood. You can actually observe local ladies maneuver bicilette to do their daily shopping. Here Caesar, Pompey and Crassus agreed to rule Rome as a triumvirate in the 60 BC. Lucca was latter the first Tuscan town to accept Christianity. The famous composer Giacomo Puccini was born here in 1858 - his work forms the nucleus of the summer Opera Theater and Music Festival, staged in open air venues. La boheme, Tosca, Madama Butterfly anyone.
 Ah, ascolto Luciano Pavarotti ora.
Ciao

Henry Ward Beecher

"There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away."
~Henry Ward Beecher

SPECIALITA TOSCANE- MERCATO CENTRALE

                                                            PROSCIUTTO ANYONE?

                                                                          AGLIO ANYONE?

                                                                  TRIPPA  ANYONE?!!!

Here at this 150 year old cafe people wait on line for a tripe sandwich

IL DUOMO

          PORTE DEL BATTISTERO - GHIBERTI

                                                

 

 

FUORI IL DUOMO

                                                                      DENTRO IL DUOMO

Torna a FIrenze

Torna a Firenze
 I once again went to Firenze today. On the bus ride I studied my Italian and checked my guide book for the  plans and sites of the day. Upon arrival I immediately headed to il bar for my tipico primo calazione. How can I start my day without having the worlds best cappuccino. Buono. After leaving the cafe I came across a casual acquaintance from my past. We had met several times before with the last time being more than a decade ago. He had not changed. He is a very large man who has that pensive look on his face yet he seems to be very content in his accomplishment. I would actually say a very attractive specimen. Despite his age most male models today would be envious of him. He has longish wavy hair, trim in his build yet muscular. He is poised and graceful and alert. Very alive.
He is an important individual in the world of art. In fact, I believe you may have heard of him - or if you are as fortunate as I- maybe you have met him. His name is David.
He lives in the Galleria dell'Accademia. Here is a collection of Florentine paintings etc dating from the 13th to 18th centuries. When you first walk in you come across the unfinished slaves, fighting their way out of their marble prisons.These are sculptures - part stone and part man. It is amazing to see some examples of Michelangelo's unfinished work and how they looked way before the statues were completed.
The picture posted here is a replica of the original statue of David taken outside at the Piazza della Signoria. However, this is the same spot that the original statue remained in public view until 1873 when it was moved to the GDA.  As you might suspect the museo does not allow any photography inside. A Plexiglas barrier surrounds the sculpture following an attack on it by a hammer-wielding artist who inflicted minor damage in1991. 
In 1501 Michelangelo at age 26 was commissioned to work on a left over block of marble that was ruined 40 years prior by another artist. The success with the block was so dramatic that the city showered him with honors. David is considered today by many as High Renaissance perfection.
As you look at David you begin to wonder how did Michelangelo accomplish such a materpiece out of stone? You can see every detail -veins, rib cage, bones, cartilage, fingernails, muscles, cornea along with a six pack for a stomach. Some parts of his body show strength and other parts show softness. Ladies -I'll skip what I know is on your mind. You cannot walk away from David because you become hypnotized in Michelangelo's world. Just try to leave and observe some of the other artwork and you will find yourself returning not once but several times just because you want to see that magnificent specimen/statue one last time.

Molto Bello Michelangelo with his David

FIRENZE

Time for some history- Top is Brunelleschi's genius gothic work of the Duomo with the Dome in the background. Second is copy of a statue a of David at Piazza della Signoria. Here in 1497 is where the famous "bonfire of the vanities" took place.  Ah David, try wearing a raincoat like they do in NYC. Third-  This is Cellini's famous bronze Perseus holding the severed head of Medusa. I told you Medusa that heads would be rolling. Fourth is the Ponte Vecchio with some dam Italian guy in my way.  Second from the bottom is a view of this great city of Firenze taken from Piazzale Michaelangelo. And finally, here again is a Gothic design of the Church of Santa Croce. This church probably contains more skeletons of Renaissance celebrities than any other in Italy. Here lies the tombs of: Michaelangelo, Galileo Galilie, Machiavelli whose political views so influenced the Medici, Ghiberti ( the creator of the Baptistry doors), and finally a monument in honor of Italy's greatest poet Dante.
ENJOY!!!!