Today we went on a tour of Florence that went to the Piazza del Michelangelo, and then would get us into the Galleria dell'Accademia, where the David is housed. We saw the original location on Sunday, but this was one thing that was high on both of our "MUST SEE" lists. We got in and were standing with our tour guide, looking at one of Michelangelo's Prisoners statues our guide was describing when I happened to glance down the corridor to my right. I was totally speechless--all I could do was pull Dave towards me as we saw the immeasurable grandeur that is the David. Another one of those moments where the pictures in my Humanities books had come to life, right in front of me! Dave had no idea that the sculpture was over sixteen feet tall, so he was in double-wonder, if there can be such a thing! We both just stared, trying to stay with our group but drawn like a magnet, towards the end of the hall. It was so incredible to be in that place, to see the coffered ceiling that is always behind the photographs of David. To actually see him in person! Wow. That's just about all we could say. Wow. (Name the book that comes from and you get a gold star!)
Anyway, pictures are not allowed of the David due to copyright laws. That only impeded us a little . . . but since I haven't downloaded them from Dave's phone yet, you'll have to be satisfied with a legal picture : )
One of my favorite parts about seeing this was to be able to view him from all angles. From the right side of the statue, you can see his face so much better--the only other place I've found his face is here, where we got the tickets the first time, but even that doesn't do it justice. You never really see him from the backside, but we were able to walk all around, seeing the strap of his sling and the rock he holds in his right hand. You could say we paid double for this opportunity, but it was worth it! I'd totally get a little David for my house, or a big poster . . . if I didn't have small children around. : )
Another thing that was interesting to us was the fact that this amazing museum, probably one of the most famous museums in the WORLD, was almost hidden in the wall of a regular street. If it weren't for the line of people outside, I would never have found it. In fact, we probably passed it a few times in our wanderings the other day! No portico or main entry, just a small sign and a couple doors. Crazy!
After the Galleria dell'Accademia, we walked down the street just one little block to where Il Duomo was peeking out. Yeah, right there. Go figure! I love Florence!!! We got a little more history on the creation and the details, then left our group and went inside. It's incredible that these places are as detailed as they are--every little aspect! From the ceiling and the inside of the dome (obviously), to the wall clock (amazing and weird--still don't know how it works!), to the floor tiles even--they were so cool! We wandered around some more, then ran to Santa Croce. We had been here as well on our other tour, but didn't realize it housed the graves of some seriously famous folks! Michelangelo, (Rafael is in the Pantheon), Gallileo, Machiavelli, and Dante, just to name a few! There was a bunch of little rooms off the sides, one of which had some artifacts like part of St. Francis d'Assisi's robe and tie. Ho. Lee. Cow.
We had to head out of there fairly quickly, get our luggage, and on the train to Venice. I was excited because here was another chance to see the Italian countryside. BEAUTIFUL!!! We raced by vineyards, cities, quaint little towns, and always, cathedrals. : ) It was a perfect way to travel in a hurry--get to the city you want to see, but not missing out on the countyside!
Venice was a little unnerving when we got there. It is THE STRANGEST place I'd ever been too--yeah, you go expecting the boats and canals, but to be there in person, trying to navigate it . . . pretty overwhelming! It took us a while to find our hotel . . . a while and three bridges up and over and down, hauling our luggage. At this point we decided that our favorite days are definitely the ones on which we aren't toting luggage. : ) We finally found our hotel, just as we were about to give up on our gps system (which had us going on streets that were actually stores . . . not helpful!), checked in, and went to find San Marco. One of the things I had heard is that San Marco at night is a must-see. It didn't disappoint! It was beautiful, all lit up. We found a little gelato shop in one corner and promised ourselves to come back after dinner. We walked along the wharf, saw the Bridge of Sighs (under restoration . . . shocker!), then went back and found a little spot for dinner. The front dining room was pretty packed, so we asked if they had any tables in the back. They said they had the garden, but it was outside (it was a little chilly, but we decided to be weird Americans and try it). We got some odd looks, but it was worth it! Turned out the "outside" was actually an enclosed tent-like structure, and it was quiet and all ours. I got some fabulous tortellini, and Dave had some spaghetti and meatballs . . . a sad sigh for not taking a picture of it. : )
After dinner we walked back to San Marco for our gelato and guess what? The ENTIRE square was flooded! Dave got his feet soaking wet by trying to run through it--apparently deeper than we thought! The scaffolding parts we had seen scattered around the square earlier were set up now as raised sidewalks. By inching next to the shop windows I was able to get halfway down the square, and we found a ramp and a raised sidewalk to be able to get back together. Got our gelato, and laughed at how crazy this was! Made it back to the hotel without getting soaked again and made reservations to go on a private tour from the hotel to Murano the next morning. Perfect, I thought, that was what we wanted to do anyway!
Anyway, pictures are not allowed of the David due to copyright laws. That only impeded us a little . . . but since I haven't downloaded them from Dave's phone yet, you'll have to be satisfied with a legal picture : )
Another thing that was interesting to us was the fact that this amazing museum, probably one of the most famous museums in the WORLD, was almost hidden in the wall of a regular street. If it weren't for the line of people outside, I would never have found it. In fact, we probably passed it a few times in our wanderings the other day! No portico or main entry, just a small sign and a couple doors. Crazy!
After the Galleria dell'Accademia, we walked down the street just one little block to where Il Duomo was peeking out. Yeah, right there. Go figure! I love Florence!!! We got a little more history on the creation and the details, then left our group and went inside. It's incredible that these places are as detailed as they are--every little aspect! From the ceiling and the inside of the dome (obviously), to the wall clock (amazing and weird--still don't know how it works!), to the floor tiles even--they were so cool! We wandered around some more, then ran to Santa Croce. We had been here as well on our other tour, but didn't realize it housed the graves of some seriously famous folks! Michelangelo, (Rafael is in the Pantheon), Gallileo, Machiavelli, and Dante, just to name a few! There was a bunch of little rooms off the sides, one of which had some artifacts like part of St. Francis d'Assisi's robe and tie. Ho. Lee. Cow.
We had to head out of there fairly quickly, get our luggage, and on the train to Venice. I was excited because here was another chance to see the Italian countryside. BEAUTIFUL!!! We raced by vineyards, cities, quaint little towns, and always, cathedrals. : ) It was a perfect way to travel in a hurry--get to the city you want to see, but not missing out on the countyside!
Venice was a little unnerving when we got there. It is THE STRANGEST place I'd ever been too--yeah, you go expecting the boats and canals, but to be there in person, trying to navigate it . . . pretty overwhelming! It took us a while to find our hotel . . . a while and three bridges up and over and down, hauling our luggage. At this point we decided that our favorite days are definitely the ones on which we aren't toting luggage. : ) We finally found our hotel, just as we were about to give up on our gps system (which had us going on streets that were actually stores . . . not helpful!), checked in, and went to find San Marco. One of the things I had heard is that San Marco at night is a must-see. It didn't disappoint! It was beautiful, all lit up. We found a little gelato shop in one corner and promised ourselves to come back after dinner. We walked along the wharf, saw the Bridge of Sighs (under restoration . . . shocker!), then went back and found a little spot for dinner. The front dining room was pretty packed, so we asked if they had any tables in the back. They said they had the garden, but it was outside (it was a little chilly, but we decided to be weird Americans and try it). We got some odd looks, but it was worth it! Turned out the "outside" was actually an enclosed tent-like structure, and it was quiet and all ours. I got some fabulous tortellini, and Dave had some spaghetti and meatballs . . . a sad sigh for not taking a picture of it. : )
After dinner we walked back to San Marco for our gelato and guess what? The ENTIRE square was flooded! Dave got his feet soaking wet by trying to run through it--apparently deeper than we thought! The scaffolding parts we had seen scattered around the square earlier were set up now as raised sidewalks. By inching next to the shop windows I was able to get halfway down the square, and we found a ramp and a raised sidewalk to be able to get back together. Got our gelato, and laughed at how crazy this was! Made it back to the hotel without getting soaked again and made reservations to go on a private tour from the hotel to Murano the next morning. Perfect, I thought, that was what we wanted to do anyway!
Comments
(Almost about as much as not knowing where your book quote is from). Erg.
It looks absolutely splendid.