7 days in Italy-5-19 to 5/25/2022

Day 1- Florence

Arrival/Dinner

Day 2- Florence

Abbey Fiorentina

Piazza della Signoria

Palazzo Vecchio Museum

Lunch at All'antico Vinaio

Santa Maria del Fior Basilica

Boboli Garden

Dinner at Golden View

Day 3- Florence

Basilica San Croce

Ponte Vecchio/Lunch

Discovering Florence

Discovering Florence, cont'd

Dinner at il Santo Bevitore

Florence at night

Day 4-Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore/arrival

Lunch/Quick tour

Church of San Giovanni Battista

Dinner at Dau Cila

 

 

Day 5-Manarola/Corniglia

Manarola

Corniglia

Lunch at Terrarossa

Discovering Corniglia

Vernazza

Dinner at Belforte

Day 6-Monterosso/Vernazza

Monterosso/Beach

Monterosso/Old Town

Blue trail hiking

Blue trail continuation

Dinner at Macelleria Trattoria

Day 7- Riomaggiore

Walking tour

Walking tour continuation

Sunset boat tour

Dinner at Dau Cila

 

Day -8-Train to Milan

Day 2-Florence-5/20/2022

Palazzo Vecchio Museum

Entrance of the Museum Palazzo Vecchio.

A replica of David in front of the Museum was placed in 1910.  The original was moved in 1873 to protect it from damage and is now on display at the Accademia Gallery in Florence.

 

Close look of David

 

 Marble statue of Hercules and Cacus.

 

We are now entering the courtyard.

 

In the center of the courtyard is a statue of an Angel with Dolphin by Verrocchio.

 

 

Ceiling inside the courtyard.

 

Details on pillars inside the courtyard.

 

Fresco of the city of Florence.

 

 

There is a plaque next to the statue above quoting Dante's Paradise: Oh what I saw those who are undone for their pride"

 

Salone dei Cinquecento (City Hall).

On the 1st floor is the grandiose Salone dei Cinquecento, a work by Cronaca (1495), which used for the assemblies of the General council of the people.

The Salone dei Cinquecento is the largest and most significant public places in Italy.  This impressive hall a length of 178 ft. an width of 76 ft. height, and the height of 60 ft.

 

View of the room from the 2nd floor.

There was a political meeting today with candidates answering questions from the audience.

 

View of the room from the first floor.

With large frescoes on each side of the wall depicting battles and military victories by Florence over Pisa and Siena and a magnificent ceiling.

 

View of the room from the 2nd floor.

 

Originally the room was supposed to be adorned with Florentine artists of the time, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buronarrati .

Unfortunately, the 2 masters of the Renaissance never completed their work so there are no frescoes from them.

 

The frescoes are gigantic and very impressive.

 

 

Large frescoes to decorate the walls of the room with battle scenes celebrating the victories of the Republic (1503)

 

 

More frescoes on both side of the walls.

 

The silent united front of the laborers' march in Il Quarto stato(the 4th estate) is more contemporary and current as ever. 

Pellizza da Volpedo's masterpiece reminds us that labor is an irreplaceable social driver, and instrument of freedom and independence not only economically, but also one of identity, and personal for every individual.

 

The painting was purchased by the citizens in 1020 through a fundraiser promoted by the socialist mayor Emilio Caldara.

On the occasion of the First May, labor day, the museum is delighted to share this message of strength and hope inspired by this procession for the city of Florence and visitors.

 

The coffered ceiling presents a series of paintings on the theme of the exaltation of Cosimo I, his work and his family, framed by magnificent gilded carvings.

There are 42 panels that were executed by a team of several painters.

 

Close view of the ceiling.

 

 

 

Sculptures along the sides of the room.

 

 The Genius of Victory by Michelangelo, Marble sculpture (1532-1534) produced as part of a design for the tomb of Pope Julius II.

 

Sculpture of Hercules and Diomedes.  In Greek mythology Hercules embodies courage and perseverance.

We are now visiting apartments situated in a part of the building erected on the orders of Duke Cosimo I de Medici in the mid 16th century. 

Each one of these rooms in these apartments is dedicated to an illustrious member of the De Medici family.

 

Apartment of Lorenzo the Magnificent

The grandson of Cosimo I, Lorenzo de Medici (1449-1492) better known as Lorenzo the magnificent, allowed Florence to regain the splendor of his grandfather's time..

This is the first room you see when get in.

 

The ceiling in the first room

 

Entering the 2nd room with walnut table from the 16th century that was purchased on the antique market in 1914

 

  The wooden ceiling of the room in gilded frames with scenes depicting episodes in the life of Lorenzo.

 

In the center of the ceiling we see Lorenzo the Magnificent sitting in the center and surrounded by ambassadors of various Italian powers.

The papal Chamberlain of Pope innocent VIII is dressed in red  and is on his knees in front of Lorenzo.

 

 

Apartments of Pope Leo X

Born John de Medici (1475-1521) and was the son of Lorenzo the Magnificent and Clarisse Orsoni.  He was elected Pope at the age of 37 in 1513 under the name of Leo X until his death in December of 1521.

The apartment of Pope Leo X is located on the 1st floor was modernized by Giorgio Vasari between 155 and 1562.

The floor is the original red terracotta work.  

 

In the center of the room is a statue of The peace of Kyiv-Art triumps over war by Antonio Canova, circa 1812.

The work is surrounded by frescoes depicting the stages of the rise to power of Giovanni de Medici (1475-1521), son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, who became Pope Leo X.

 

Painting depicting the election of college of cardinals.

Pope Leo X used his position to support Fine Arts and culture in general and following in the footsteps of his father Lorenzo the magnificent by becoming one of the greatest patrons in Rome.

 

We are now exiting the room and going to the 2nd floor.

 

NEXT.... Day 2-Visit continuation

 

 

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