Florence, was the birthplace of the renaissance. This remarkable town has some of the most beautiful artwork anywhere (though I am told the Louvre in Paris has the best). Being a rich city state it was able to attract many of the greatest artists to do artwork in this city. Michaelangelo and Leonardo were even born in this town. Though no longer a city state, and the renaissance being over Florence is still a rich town. Rich in art, culture and food. Unfortunately I spent most of my time inside art galleries in this town, however I was still able to catch some of the splendor of this town on film.
Il Duomo (left)is Florence's Gothic Cathedral. Though not the most beautiful cathedral, it dome is the third largest (behind St. Peters and Noter Dame(?) Its dome is what inspired the dome of St. Peter's in Rome. Though it is named St. Maria de Fiore everyone calls it the Duomo.(Which means dome in Italian)
The Baptistery ( left) is located in a court yard behind the Duomo. It has two very famous bronze doors designed by Ghiberti. Ghiberti used the laws of mathematics to create three dimensional effects on a two dimensional surface. copies of these doors can be seen in Grace Cathedral in San Francisco (Ride to California St. Cable Car to the top and your there). Lastly the tower gives you an inspiring view of the city and the dome as well. Plus a good workout climbing 400 plus steps to the top.
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All photos by John L. Polos
Copyright September 30, 1997
 Duomo |
 Front of Duomo |
 The Baptistery |
 Ghiberti's Doors |
 David |
 Fiume River |
| Michelangelo's David. Some say looking into the eyes of this statue is like looking into the eyes of a renaissance man. What impressed me is the details of all the muscles in the statue. I guess that's why Michaelangelo spent so much time with cadavers before doing this. | |
 Giotto's Tower & Duomo |
 Arial view of Florence The dome is part of the Church of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels |
 St. Croce's |
 St. Maria Novella (Front) |
 Bargello's Cloister (Court Yard) |
 St. Maria Novella(back) |
 Dante's House |
 The Dome of LeDuomo |
 A different David |
 Plaster Cast |
| I forgot what the title for this was and I can not find where I read about what this statue was. I know it has to do with the kneeling man being subservient to the standing one. The plaster cast is in the L'Academia and is with a collection of plaster casts that were used as models for marble statues. | |
 Orsanmichele |
Orsanmichele use to be a combination granary/place of worship in the 1300's. As Florence gained in power,so did its guilds. By 1500 each of these powerful guilds got a niche to put a statue of their patron saint. Some of the statues were done by Donatello and Ghiberti. Thanks to Casey Barber for the info. |