Up early and off to stand in line for the Galleria dell' Accademia. The academy of fine arts was founded in 1563 and the first school in Europe to teach drawing, painting and sculpture. The tourists line up is the famous David by Michelangelo, in this museum are several of his greatest works. There were many other great works inside - we spent almost two hours on a great audio tour. Alas no pictures - none allowed - you will have to go yourself!!
Across the street to the convent San Marco - here each cell (room) has a fresco provided by Fra Angelico from 1438-45. They are striking portraits of religious scenes each done on one wall of the cell. The library was Europe's first public library, designed by Michelozzo in 1441. Alas no pictures allowed.
On the way to lunch we passed the Mercato Nuovo (New Market) and a bronze boar. The snout of the boar is shiny because legend has it once you touch it you will return to Florence. Virginia Ann is ready to return to Florence tomorrow.
Just a block away is the large Piazza Della Repubblica where there is always something going on. Street performers use the plaza which is ringed by cafes on two sides and the Roman-style triumphal arch on the third side. The arch celebrates Florence's stint as Italy's capital from 1865-71.
After a late lunch we headed off in search of more religious artwork. First Santa Maria Novella a gothic church built by the Dominicans from 1279 to 1357. Inside are Filippino Lippi's frescoes showing St. John raising Drusiana from the dead and St. Philip slaying a dragon. The picture to the right is of the Tornabuoni Chapel, dedicated to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven. The frescoes are from 1485 and depict scenes from the lives of Mary and Saint John the Baptist. The interior was completed in the 15th century by many of the premier artists, who so magnified the grandeur of the architecture with their works, that Michelangelo was moved to call Santa Miria Novella "my bride".
Then on to San Lorenzo the parish church of the Medici family who had considerable influence in Florence. It is rather unassuming since the facade was never finished - Michelangelo submitted several designs but today it is still plain brick. His influence is inside, here are the tombs of the Medici family with monuments created by Michelangelo which are spectacular - sorry no pictures allowed (yet another reason to go!!). An interesting chapel in the church has a painting of the Betrothal of the Virgin by Rosso Fiorentino. At this chapel wedding rings are blessed and couples return on anniversaries to renew their vows. Also in the church are two bronze pulpits depicting Christ's Passion and Resurrection by Donatello.
We stopped near the Ponte Vecchio for what was becoming a daily habit - cafe' and gelatio (coffee and ice cream) at a small cafe. There we were engaged in conversation with a Florentine who wanted to know what part of Italy Virginia Ann was from - that lead to us visiting his business where the above picture of the Ponte Vecchio was taken. Andrea Asti owns a haute couture leather shop called Ponte Vecchio Florence . We were served Champagne and tried several jackets.