Our stay in Florence resumes with a scenic overlook, a bit of sightseeing and some time on our own.
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| The day begins at Piazelle Michelangelo |
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| We are greeted with a sight to warm any man's heart - Ferraris |
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| The cars were parked to gain publicity but also offered a chance to drive one for 10 minutes for 50 Euro. Cheryl treated Bill to a drive as a birthday gift! |
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| Try not to drool on the car Bob |
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| Bev & Renee |
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| The overlook provides a wonderful view of Florence |
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| Theresa & Bob |
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| The tower of Palazzo Vecchio and the dome of the Cathedral stand out |
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| The Duomo (Cathedral) |
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| Santa Croce (Holy Cross) |
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| The Jewish Synagogue - just in front is the Church of San Guiseppe (Saint Joseph) where we will have mass. I'll insert a photo later showing that church from this viewpoint |
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| Ponte Vecchio - the Gold Bridge was the only bridge in Florence spared destruction in WW-II |
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| We continue to climb to the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte |
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| This is the church I photographed yesterday on the way back to the hotel |
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| We had a bit of a climb up the stairs |
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| Mass was going on but we were permitted to enter if we did not create a distraction |
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| Surrounding the church is a fantastic graveyard with many full chapels built as memorials |
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| This one of a young officer and his lady caught my eye - I'd love to know the story |
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| The Blessed Mother gathers her children under her mantle! |
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| The homes in Florence (where we were at least) were quite nice. |
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| We saw many, many men trying to hawk print art on the street - they were the same 8-10 prints. Never saw anyone buy one. |
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| Sundays in Italy are special - the street fairs are in full swing |
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| We walked a bit to Santa Maria Novella (New St Mary's) - so called since it was built on the site of a 9th century oratory dedicated to the Blessed Mother |
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| Where we encountered drum& bugle corps with flags |
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| Statue in front - not sure who this is - encountered a lot of that in reviewing photos! |
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| The piazza outside was lined with food and trinket vendors |
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| We walked back through Piazza del Duomo to Santa Croche and shown where to meet. One of our fellow pilgrims had learned about the leather school, so we decided to seek it out |
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| We asked a local pizzaria and they pointed out the entrance - just behind Santa Croche |
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| We walked back behind, encouraged by an occasional sign and found this courtyard next to an old monastery |
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| Most of the art from the monastery is nicely preserved |
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| The benches were all empty of craftsmen since it was Sunday |
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| These punches are heated to do the gold embossing. The craftsman tells by the sound of the quench in water if the temperature is just right! Our guide showed us a roll of gold foil used to do the embossing |
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| This school was the dream of its founder to help orphans from WW-II and is still operated by his family |
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| We were guided by Christina, a close friend of one of the family sisters |
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| Christina, Cheryl, Bill, & Theresa |
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| Each of the work rooms was formerly the "cell" occupied by one of the brothers in the monastery |
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| We both bought belts and Phillip adjusted both and showed us how to do it |
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| We took this photo through the window of the school. While the school turns out many fine craftsmen, the goods sold in the upstairs shop are all hand made by master craftsmen |
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| We took a photo of this poster in the entryway |
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| The School students and faculty in 1950 |
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| Many photos of family |
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| In November 1966, a catastrophic flood covered most of Florence. The Leather School was covered half way up the second floor. This montage tells the story |
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| People came from all over to help recover. Florence residents refer to them as their "brown angels" alluding to their color after working in the mud left by the flood |
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| Beautiful flowers decorate the courtyard |
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| We walked back to Piazza della Santa Croce and chose this little panini shop |
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| Salami & cheese on a croissant - with Birra Perone to wash it down |
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| We saw little, tiny cars like this a lot in Italy - gasoline was 1.62 Euro / Liter - That equates to roughly $6.40 per gallon! |
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| We decided to explore Santa Croce - the statue of Dante was our meeting point later |
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| The church is immense and beautiful! |
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| This sculpture was barely visible to us through an open door to a side chapel or sacristy. Theresa got very low and was able to capture the image. Moses and the tablets? |
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| A tabernacle |
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| The church is famous for the many tombs within |
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| Some reflect sorrow |
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| Perhaps the most famous is that of Michelangelo |
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| This bust was made from his death mask |
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| But there is much more art than just the tombs |
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| The woman at the well |
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| The ornate pulpit |
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| Includes a panel depicting the stigmata of St Francis |
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| The agony in the garden |
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The assumption |
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| The crucifixion |
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| Pieta |
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| Christ visits the souls in Sheol - the abode of the dead |
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| The annunciation |
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| Taking Jesus' body down from the cross |
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| Trinitarian Pieta |
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| Madonna and child St Peter St James St Francis |
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| Sts. Benedict, Joseph, Bernard & Bishop |
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| Madonna sews as child Jesus plays |
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| Charcoal of an unknown saint on plaster |
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The beautiful stained glass tells the heart wrenching story of Jesus' body being taken down from the cross |
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| Out a side door, we find the courtyard of the former monastery (where the leather school is housed) |
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| A large chapel |
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| With reliefs of the four gospel writers |
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| The tomb of an Army Colonel |
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| St Bartholomew is my patron! |
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| The large Santa Croce Refectory Frescoes depicting the Last Supper, the Tree of Life, and Four Miracles |
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| The Tree of Life |
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| A tribute to Florence Nightingale |
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| This photo was shot from the scenic overlook earlier in the day and is of San Giuseppe (St Joseph) Church where mass will be |
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| A side altar |
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| The main altar |
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| St Joseph and the child Jesus |
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| The pelican on this tabernacle represents the selfless love of a parent. The pelican will pluck its breast and feed its young with its blood if it cannot otherwise find food |
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| Bob read the epistle |
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| Fr Vince commented that this was probably the largest altar he'd ever celebrated mass on! |
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| After mass, Patrizia introduced us to the Deacon who allowed us to conduct mass in the church |
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| After mass, we joined Bill & Cheryl for a walkabout |
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| This proves Bob is not the only person who photo bombs! |
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| Ponte Vecchio from the next bridge |
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| Another Ferrari! They're everywhere! |
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| Cheryl did not know the legend of the boar, so we went back |
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| Her coin went in, so she'll return! |
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| This street artist said at day's end, he'd have to wash it all down the drain! |
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