by

Zoe Enyedy

he Duomo of Florence is famous worldwide. When its huge dome was constructed, it was a marvel of the medieval world. Michelangelo used it as a model when he designed the dome for the Vatican in Rome. The exterior of the Florence Duomo is covered with a unique green and pink façade.

The front of the Duomo and the base of the bell tower

An ornate window on the Duomo

The bell tower, designed by Giotto, stands next to the Duomo

Interior of the Duomo

The city of Florence has a very famous Baptistry, separate from the church. Only baptized persons were allowed to enter it; but I wonder how they checked to see who was or was not baptized.

We looked briefly into the Baptistry where I noticed the lovely altar. It seemed that the people who built these places took great care to place artwork on everything.

Inside the Baptistry

There was a pattern of the figures inside the dome of the Baptistry:

Outside around Jesus, the Judge: “Last Judgement”

Next row: Choirs of angels

Next row: Stories from the book of Genesis

Next row: Stories of Joseph

Next row: Stories of Mary and Christ

Next row: Stories of St. John the Baptist

Inside row: Ornamental mosaics

The mosaics on the inside of the Baptistry dome

Closeup of Jesus the Judge

There was also a memorial to Pope John XXIII

The Bargello

he Bargello museum contains a collection of statuary, most of which was displayed in an outdoor courtyard, but some of which was covered. It is necessary to remember that Florence does not usually experience blizzards as we do.

The Bargello Courtyard

Courtyard with shields

Cosimi I portrayed as Augustus by Vincenzo Dante

Saint John the Baptist by Pieratti

Bartolomeo Ammannati designed a number of statues for a project called The River Fountain. The picture shows the completed view when finally assembled. These statues were completed individually, but never put together.

The complete River Fountain

Juno, the personification of air, and Arno the river god

Ceres, goddess of earth, and River Arbia, a goddess

Prudence by Ammannati

Oceanus by Giambologna

The Fisherboy by Vencenzo Gemito

Virgin and Child by Vincenzo Dante

Two sandstone lions guarding the exit

The Apollo/David by Michelangelo

Bacchus and Panther

Michelangelo's Plaza

e left the Bargello and walked toward the bus stop. Along the way, we noticed that buildings that are built merely for function here, are beautifully decorated in Italy. Here for example, is the library.

Michelangelo's Plaza is on the opposite side of the Arno River. From a bridge over the Arno, we could see the basilica San Miniato al Monte on a distant hill. It looked appealing, but we could not go everywhere.

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge was useful as well as beautiful

We caught our bus near the bridge and rode up to Michelangelo Plaza from which we might obtain a different view of Florence.

The city really did look different from this perspective. It was fun to record our whole group of four together at this well-known viewpoint.

We noticed that all the tour groups were led by a guide who carried an umbrella or a flag tied to a tall stick, so as to be easily seen, if someone should become lost. Art used my monopod as his stick with its handle as a flag, and we all had a good laugh.

It was interesting to see the wall from medieval times, which still surrounds the city.

A bronze copy of Michelangelo's statue of David stood in the center of the plaza; it was badly streaked by the rain.

Florence itself was interesting from this viewpoint.

The dome of the Duomo, and Giotto's Bell Tower

Boboli Gardens

oboli Gardens had been recommended to us as a worthwhile place to visit, so Roseann and I ventured there after our visit to Michelangelo's Plaza. The Gardens were indeed beautiful and nicely maintained.

There was a small lake/pond in the middle of the gardens, and many manicured paths leading off in various directions.

We enjoyed the small lunch we had brought along. In the Gardens we found a lovely pool.

The Pitti Palace had nothing to do with sympathy, but rather was the name of a wealthy family.

Amid all this beautiful art work stood a statue of a humble monk.