FLORENCE
ourlodging
Hotel Palazzo del Borge
distancewalked
7 Miles
We've been anxious to return to Florence since being there in 2014.
There is so much to see and experience in the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Michelangelo...here we come!
day7
We arrived in Florence in the early afternoon after making an Autogrille lunch stop. Our hotel was the same one we stayed at before so we were familiar with the neighborhood.
We broke up into two smaller groups for a historical city walk after unpacking. Our local guide, Lucia, took us through the crowded streets which we shared with the weekend tourists.
.jpeg)
The Hotel Palazzo dal Borgo was familiar to us and an added bonus was the view out our bathroom window.
How it started...
15% Off All Items
How it's going.
Lucia took us to Florence's renowned Accademia Gallery after the city walk. The gallery was set to close in about an hour, but this timing still allowed us to see the artworks before the gallery closed while taking advantage of the dwindling crowds. We were even able to linger at the main attraction and get a group photo.
I can't put into words the feeling you get when you enter the Gallery of Prisoners and your gaze falls upon Michelangelo's stunning marble masterpiece of David at the end of the corridor. Even my second time felt like the first time! It's an emotional moment. And then you notice the unfinished statues flanking you left and right. The figures struggle to emerge from the chiseled stone. They, along with the master's tool markings, remain forever trapped except for your own imagination.
Next Up. . . The Accademia
The Accademia Gallery is home to other important painting and sculpture collections that you will want to make time to see. There is also an exhibit of musical instruments that belonged to the Grand Dukes of Tuscany.
When we said "Goodbye" to David, Sarah led everyone to dinner at Club Culinario Toscano. It was quite the culinary experience and the perfect test to expose our adventurous eaters! We were served lots of unique small bites, ravioli, steak (rare), salad, and créme brulée for dessert.
On the walk back to the hotel, we stopped at the Mercato Nuovo to see the centuries old "Il Porcellino," or "the little pig." The bronze fountain features a wild boar and legend has it that if you touch its nose, you will return to Florence.
.jpeg)
We are adventurous eaters!
The Baptistery of St. John was hidden by scaffolding during our previous visit. This evening I got some lovely twilight photos as we passed through the Piazza del Duomo.
today'shighlight
Michelangelo Gratification
distancewalked
12.7 Miles
day8
We again broke up into two smaller groups after breakfast to tour the Renaissance rich Uffizi Gallery. Our guide, Ricardo, was artful himself in how he presented the details of the Italian masterpieces.
Oh mio Dio! We hit gold on our Michelangelo search today.
Our first Michelangelo discovery of the day was his Doni Tondo (The Holy Family) at the Uffizi. It is the only finished panel painting by Michelangelo to survive and it still hangs in its original frame.
Paintings by Leonardo da Vinci
The Annunciation
.jpeg)
The Baptism of Christ
(with Andrea del Verrocchio)
Michelangelo's contemporary Italian artist of fame was Leonardo Da Vinci. I used to volunteer as a Picture Person at our elementary school and I taught the students about these two paintings. It was such a treat to see them in person!
Even the ceilings at the Uffizi have a story to tell and Ricardo did a superb job of telling them! Other famous artworks to see at the Uffizi Gallery include "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli, and paintings by Raphael and Caravaggio.
Uffizi • Medici Chapel • Bargello Museum • Santa Croce • Santo Spirito •
We left the Uffizi midmorning and with Sarah's help drafted a route to four destinations featuring Michelangelo's artwork. Our final endpoint was Mass with Gregorian Chants at San Miniato al Monte, which started at 5:45 pm.
Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in Caprese in 1475. While he spent most of his active adult years in Rome, he considered Florence his true home.
medicichapel
Located as an extension to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the New Sacristy was designed by Michelangelo. He also designed the monuments which are dedicated to members of the Medici family.
While there's no Michelangelo connection, be sure to step into the Chapel of Princes. It's a promised "Wow" moment!
bargellomuseum
The Bargello Museum is located in the oldest public building in Florence. There you will find sculptures by Donatello, Verrocchio, Giambologna and of course, Michelangelo.
(His David-Apollo sculpture was out on loan during our visit.)
santacroce
The Basilica of Santa Croce is a beautiful Italian Gothic structure and the principle Franciscan church in Florence. Some of the famous Italians besides Michelangelo buried here include:
Leon Battista Alberti, Gioachino Rossini, and Galileo. Michelangelo's ornate tomb is a fitting tribute to the magnificent artist. Be sure to visit the attached Peruzzi Chapel to see the Giotto frescoes. It was my opportunity to see at least one Last Supper fresco on this trip!
santospirito
The Basilica of Santo Spirito is modest on the outside but a grand example of Renaissance architecture on the interior. It has been entrusted to the Augustinian friars since being built in the 15th century. The wooden crucifix of Michelangelo hangs inside the church's Sacristy. He carved it as an 18 year old and one is drawn to contemplation and prayer when viewing, as I can attest.
Since photos aren't allowed, I bought a postcard as my remembrance.
Florence
Museums were closing now so we changed our compass from Michelangelo points of interest to a church on the hill. It's Sunday and there will be Gregorian Chants at San Miniato al Monte above the Piazzale Michelangelo. We've been there before and know there will be amazing panoramic views.
Enjoy the slideshow of some of our favorite views from the day and evening.
We ate dinner at La Fiaschetteria and grabbed some good pistachio gelato at Perché no!...
WOW! What an escapade we had on this day! Kevin and I walked Firenze streets, climbed stairs and crossed bridges in our Michelangelo quest. We saw more of his art than I thought possible and yet, as I put this scrapbook together, I have realized how many more examples of his incredible talent we missed. Instead of being sad, we are thankful for the opportunity to see what we have, and will save the rest for another Florence visit!