Florence - Day 2

On our final day in Florence, we finished up our walking tour. We began at the Baptistery of St. John. This is a minor basilica. It is octagonal shaped and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The building is renowned for its bronze doors, the east being built by Michelangelo known as the "Gate of Paradise." Italian poet Dante and many members of the Medici family were baptized here.

 The Baptistry

The Gates of Paradise

Next, we went right behind the Baptistery to the Florence Cathedral, also known as Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. On August 18, 1418, a structural design competition for erecting Neri's dome was announced. The two main competitors were two master goldsmiths, Ghiberti and Brunelleschi.  Ghiberti had been winner of a competition for a pair of bronze doors for the Baptistery in. Since then, a lifelong competition between the two remained. Brunelleschi won and received the commission and designed the dome in the church. 

We finished up our day by taking a walking tour throughout the city to major landmarks of the Medici family.

Florence, Italy - Day 1

We began our trip in Italy in the city of Florence. The beginning of the Renaissance began in this city. It is full of art history. Beginning our first day indulging in art history, we went to the Accademia Museum. The museum is part of the school of music and art. It contains many famous pieces including the Rape of the Sabine Women and Michelangelo's David. David was a lot more amazing than I ever expected. Standing at seventeen foot tall, this statue is Michelangelo's representation of David before he went to fight Goliath. It is a work of art.

 Michelangelo's David

Next, we went the San Lorenzo Church. It is one of the largest churches in the city. It is the burial site of all of the Medici family. In the courtyard an orange tree was planted in honor of Christ.

We then toured the Basilica of Santa Croce. This church is the burial site of many important people including Galileo, Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, Gioachino Rossini, a piano player who was born in Pesaro, lived in Florence, and died in Paris, and many more important people.

 Basilica of Santa Croce

 Tomb of Galileo

 Tomb of Machiavelli

Tomb of Michelangelo

To finish up our first day, we took a trip to the Uffizi Galleria. It contained many very important Renaissance paintings and statues including the La Primavera by Botticelli, The Annunciation by Da Vinci, and the Venus of Urbino by Titian.