SANTA CROCE CHURCH

The Santa Croce square and church - Florence, Italy

This Franciscan church is situated in the Santa Croce Square. Its most notable feautures are its sixteen chapels, many of them decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils. The church is the burial place of some of the most illustrious italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli.

Santa Croce was founded by St Francis himself. The construction of the courrent church, to replace an older building, was begun in year 1294. It is considerd as the oldest church in Florence.

The main cluster houses the Cappella de Pazzi designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.

The cluster of the church of Santa Croce - Florence, Italy

In the 19th century a Jewish architect Niccoló Matas dedigned a neo-gothic facade, working a prominent Star of David into the composition.

The David Star of the Santa Croce's church - Florence, Italy

Today the former dormitory of the Franciscan Friars, wich is at the back of the Dante's statue, houses the Leather School. Visitors can watch how artisans craft purses, wallets and other leather goods wich are sold at the school shop.

Dante Alighieri and the former dormitory of the Franciscans Friars 

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA CHURCH

The church of Santa Maria Novella yesterday...

IL PORCELLINO (THE BOAR)

The bronze fountain of "Porcellino" @ the Mercato Nuovo - Florence, Italy

Originally the bronze fountain of the boar was placed in front of the Farmacia del Cinghiale, and then in order to ensure more space to the traffic it was moved facing south, where il still stands as one of the most popular spots for tourists.

The present statue is only a copy of the original one which is in the Bardini Museum (the original bronze one was sculpted by maestro Pietro Tacca in year 1612).

At the Uffizi Museum you'll find the original marble statue from the Hellenistic era.

The legend says that if you touch the nose (this is why it shines alwaya) and put a coin into the boar's mouth and let it drop down and go through the underlaying grating you'll have lots of luck.

MADONNA EUROPEAN TOUR - 16th OF JUNE IN FLORENCE

The ultimate pop diva is back, at the age of 53, she is taking the world on a musical tour with her new album MDNA, which is scheduled to release next month. She began her journey this year with the sensational concert at Super Bowl and danced her way back into the hearts of her admirers. So, its time now, you should grab the tickets for her live concert in Europe.
Its time you run to grab your tickets to attend the Madonna concert tour. Be there to enjoy her hit songs like, “Material Girl”, “Like a Virgin” or a few from her upcoming album.


She will be in Florence, Italy on June 16th at the Artemio Franchi Stadium.


You can buy your tickets online on www.ticketone.it and prices will go from € 45 to € 150.


For the MADONNA concert tour dates the demand for hotel rooms and other accommodation is quite extreme. I recommend you book your flight tickets and rooms as early as possible.
 

FREEZING FLORENCE

Preety cold these days in Florence, but nice to take great shoots of it.
Check out how beautiful is the Santo Spirito's fountain with the frozen water...

Piazza Santo Spirito - Florence, Italy