domenica 28 ottobre 2012

ABBEY OF CERTOSA DI GALLUZZO


Certosa di Galluzzo - Florence, Italy

Espetially in a sunny day the Certosa di Galluzzo is worth a visit.

The Certosa di Galluzzo seen from the outside seems more like a castle than an abbey.

Certosa di Galluzzo - Florence, Italy

The construction was started in year 1342 by Niccolò Acciaioli with the intent to introduce the poor florentine people to the religios studies. After the death of Acciaioli the works stoped and the construction was ended in year 1400.

Certosa di Galluzzo - Florence, Italy 

In year 1866 it becomes property of the Italian government and from year 1958 it returns to a place of faith with the Cisternian monks who took over the Carthusians.

Certosa di Galluzzo - Florence, Italy
Nowdays the monks accompany te visitors during the visit of the abbey. The tour is very very intresting with and the monk guide shows you everything about this faith place. At the end you must  give them a small offer and ther's also a shop where you can buy honey and liquer made from the monks.

Certosa di Galluzzo - Florence, Italy


Facade of St. Lorenzo church - Certosa di Galluzzo - Florenze, Italy


The church of San Lorenzo was built in year 1545 and has a Renaissance facade. There are three chapels in the monastery, the St. Tobias, the St. Andrew and the St. Mary.

Altar of S. Lorenzo church - Certosa di Galluzzo - Florence, Italy
The Great Cloister is very spatious, has a typical old stone at its center, and lead to the monks cells. Each cell is separated from te other and was used by a single monk and they could take advantage of a small garden for their comtemplation. This because the Cistercian monks are dedicates to silence except of one hour a week in the interview room.

The Great Cloister - Certosa di Galluzzo - Florence, Italy

How to reach the Certosa: From Florence: By car go in direction of Porta Romana, than via Senese and after the small town of Galluzzo on your right side ther's the Certosa. By bus take number 37 from the Santa Maria train station and stop to the Certosa bus stop (buy tickes before you jump on the bus).

From the A1 highway exit to Firenze Certosa and follow the indications.

For more info about the abbey and the guidet tours (only in italian) please check the Certosa di Galluzzo website.

















martedì 23 ottobre 2012

CRITICAL MASS FIRENZE - OCTOBER 25th

Critical Mass Florence, Italy

Critical Mass is not an organization, it's an unorganized coincidence. It is a worldwide movement...of bicycles in the streets. It was born in San Francisco in year 1992 and soon become very popular all over the world.

Critical Mass arrived in Florence in October 2002... so this year it celebrates the 10th anniversary. Don't miss this monthly gathering on October, 25th in the Santissima Annunziata square @ 6.30pm

For more infos please check the Critical Mass Firenze website and their facebook fan page.

Please, post your comments and pictures here!



lunedì 22 ottobre 2012

VINTAGE MOTORBIKES

Saturday and sunday in Piazza Strozzi (in the city center of Florence) was a display of vintage motorbikes...some were private and some others used for services such as the mercy (misericordia).





mercoledì 17 ottobre 2012

OGNISSANTI CHURCH

While in Florence go and visit this Franciscan church.

It was completed during the 1250s, but almost completely rebuilt on Baroque designs of Bartolomeo Pettirossi in year 1627.

This was the first example of Baroque architecture in the Renaissance city of Florence.

It is situated in Piazza Ognissanti and named also the borgo (one of the traditional divisions in Florence).


Chiesa di Ognissanti - first baroque church in Florence

mercoledì 3 ottobre 2012

THREE HISTORICAL LIBRARIES



Today I want to talk to you about libraries. You'll find a lot of them in Florence where to read a book, have a rest or just visit their magnificent architecural structure.
The oldiest and the more suggestives are:


1- Biblioteca Marucelliana



 
Marucelliana - Florence















Marucelliana - Florence























 











Estabilished by the will of the abbot Francesco Marucelli, from which it takes the name, the library was open to public on September 18th, 1752.
This was the first library in Florence opend to all (rich and poor people).

On its facade it is still written "Marucellorum Bibliotheca publicae maxime pauperum utilitati" which means: "Marucelliana library for pubblic use, espetially for poor people"

Marucelliana Library
Via Cavour 43/45
Monday - Friday 8.30am - 6pm
Tel: +39 055 2722200
http://www.maru.firenze.sbn.it/


2- Biblioteca Riccardiana


Riccardiana - Florence

Estabilished approx in years 1600 by Riccardo Riccardi it opens to pubblic in year 1715.

Riccardiana Library
Palazzo Medici Riccardi - Via Ginori 10
Monday & Thursday - 8am - 5.30pm
Tuesday & Wednesday & Friday - 8am - 2pm
Tel: +39 055 212586


3-Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale

Biblioteca Nazionale - Florence

Probably the first most important library in Italy and the 5th in Europe. It counts 120km of bookshelves and increases 1,45km each year.
It was open to pubblic in year 1747 under the name Biblioteca Magliabechiana.
Worth a visit for this library.

National Central Library
Piazza Cavallereggi 1/a
Monday-Friday 8.15am - 7pm
Saturday 8.15am - 1.30pm
Tel: +39 055 249191