Monday, November 2, 2015

Florence, Round Two


Today was a fun and busy day. We saw the Basilica di Santa Croce. This lovely basilica holds the bodies of Dante Alighieri, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni, and Galileo Galilei. Zach and I admired this place because it had such prominent figures that you only read about in history books or literature.


We then visited the Accademia Gallery which holds several works of art by Michelangelo. Many of these works were started, but never completed. In the distance, we saw the representation of the Biblical hero David that Michelangelo completed in the early 1500s. 





Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore was next on our list. Stunningly beautiful is all I can say about the outside of this structure. The building began in September of 1296. Much has been added, restored, or changed since its construction so many years ago. The intricate details are absolutely amazing. There is an option to go up to the top of the bell tower, but our large group didn't get that chance. We were pressed for time, and we had a schedule to keep. 



After a busy morning, we checked out of our hotel and headed to our next destination, Siena. We stopped for lunch in a medieval Tuscan village called Monteriggioni. This walled village, constructed in the 1200s, was built on a hill to see any enemies approaching from below. As we walked through the village, I could imagine myself living there during medieval times. They had quaint shops which sold items ranging from clothes to cheese. 






We wound down our day at a family-owned vineyard which has been in the family for three generations. They have a restaurant where all of the ingredients are grown organically, including the vino! Our group had such a wonderful time, and we felt like part of the family! It was a delightful ending to an already lovely day. 



No comments:

Post a Comment


 photo copyright.jpg
blogger template by envye