REOPENING OF THE BAPTISTERY

After 2 years of renovations the baptistery of Florence is becoming ready for the new opening
on  Oct 25th, 2015.

The scaffolding is beeing dismantled these days while the north gate builded by Lorenzo Ghiberti in years 1403-1424 has moved and is visible in the new Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

It took Ghiberti 21 years to complete these doors. These gilded bronze doors consist of twenty-eight panels, with twenty panels depicting the life of Christ from the New Testament. The eight lower panels show the four evangelists and the Church Fathers Saint Ambrose, Saint Jerome, Saint Gregory and Saint Augustine. The panels are surrounded by a framework of foliage in the door case and gilded busts of prophets and sibyls at the intersections of the panels. Originally installed on the east side, in place of Pisano's doors, they were later moved to the north side.

 

Check this video to see how they mooved this heavy door into the museum !!!

They did it twice one for each side on the door. The weight of each side is 4000 kilos...

GIARDINO DELLA GHERARDESCA

The "Giardino della Gherardesca" is the biggest private park of Florence (4,5 hectares) and now it is property of the Four Seasons Hotels Firenze.

For this reason it is open only for the guests of the hotel.

But once a year the Four Season organize an open day for charity and the money collected are devolved to the kids of the "Istituto degli Innocenti" of Florence.

I went there and I took some pics of the gardens... wich are breathtaking.

THE TERRACES OF THE CATHEDRAL

Duomo

The feast of the "Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore" better known as the DUOMO to the florentines, was established in 1985 and is celebrated on 8 September each year, in memory of the laying of the foundation stone of the cathedral, which occurred on the day dedicated to the Nativity of Mary, in 1296 (or 1298 according to other sources).

The main event (from 1pm to 4pm) of the day is the free opening of the outdoor terraces of the cathedral with the traditional walk of thirty-two meters high, walk that gives to the Florentines and to the guests of our city a unique and unusual overview of Florence.

Also can visit for free the Duomo (1:30pm - 4:45pm), the Baptistry (8:30am - 2pm), Giotto tower (8:30am - 7:30pm) and the museum (9am - 1:45pm)

Battistero

PONTE VECCHIO

Ponte Vecchio - 06 June 2013

PIAZZA DEL CAMPO, SIENA

It seems that finally spring is coming in Tuscany.

This is Piazza del Campo in Siena, one of the 100 most beautiful squares in Italy.

When you're in Florence take the chance to get here for a half day trip. Busitalia has a ride every 30/40 minutes from Florence to Siena at the cost of €15,60 both ways!

La torre - Piazza del Campo, Siena

Piazza del Campo, Siena

Piazza del Campo, Siena

MEDIEVAL CARNIVAL IN SAN CASCIANO VP

San Casciano Val di Pesa - il carnevale medievale

Carnival never ends!!! 

Sunday, April 7th in San Casciano Val di Pesa, only 20km away from Florence, 

there will be the medieval carnival.

This small town is situated in the middle of the Chianti and Valdelsa district and in year 1326 Castruccio Castracani, the duke of Lucca, took control over the castle of San Casciano and destroyed it.

San Casciano Val di Pesa

And so the fourth edition of the medieval carnival, called the "Siege of Castruccio", brings you back in that difficult period of the city.

The main event will be the "Carousel of the districts" where the five districts the Horse, the Lilium,  the Lion, the Tower and the Rooster will contest "the key of the village" against Castruccio Castracani.

San Casciano Val di Pesa

The free event will start at 10am and go on until sunset.

The artistic direction is entrusted to the "Associazione Culturale Laboratorio Amaltea" and on their website you'll find more useful information.

www.laboratorioamaltea.org

LOGGIA DI PALAZZO STROZZI

Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi - Firenze, Italy

If you're looking for a shelter from the rain in the city center, a marvelous one is the Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi. This Reinassance courtyard is always open and overlooks Piazza Strozzi, Via degli Strozzi and Via de Tornabuoni.

Enjoy a coffe or a drink at the Caffetteria open until late at night.

Very often there are temporary installations by artists and architects of international renown.

It is difficult to get bored in this place!!!

Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi - Firenze, Italy

Have a look at the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi website to know all their exhibitions, activities and events... http://www.palazzostrozzi.org/index.jsp?idProgetto=2&idLinguaSito=2

Loggia di Palazzo Strozzi - Firenze, Italy

Palazzo Strozzi

50123 Firenze

ANNIVERSARY ELECTRESS PALATINE

Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici - Elettrice Palatina

Today, Feb 18th, 2013, on her 270 anniverasry of death, the last surviving of the Medici family, the Electress Palatine, will be commemorated by the city of Florence with free access to the 

Civic Museums.

Take the chance to visit the Palazzo Vecchio and the Torre di Arnolfo from 10am to 6pm.

Here more info: http://www.museicivicifiorentini.it/en/index.html

VERTICAL GARDENS OF FLORENCE

Yes you unterdand very well... There are the vertical gardens in Florence!!!

Go and see them in Viale Giovine Italia

(between Via dell'Agnolo and Via Ghibellina)

THE PALAZZO PANDOLFINI

Palazzo Pandolfini

Walking in the streets of Florence some Latin inscriptions on the ledge near the roof of a building caught my attention. 

I inquiered and found out that it was the Palazzo Pandolfini. 

Palazzo Pandolfini - Florence, Italy

It was build around year 1520 by Raphael Sanzio and was the residence of bishop Giannozzo Pandolfini and after hi death of Ferdinando Pandolfini.

Palazzo Pandolfini - Firenze

The decoration of the ledge was an initiative of Ferdinando with an inscription dedicated to Leone X and Clemente VII, in gratitude for the many favors received by the two Medici's popes.

The garden, for excample, was enriched with staues and fountaines donated by Pope Leone X.

The access inside the palace is really hard as it is privately held

Palazzo Pandolfini

Via San Gallo, 74

Florence, Italy

CHRISTMAS IN FLORENCE

 

Il duomo e l'albero di Natale 2012
 

Via de' Calzaiuoli - Firenze

 

FOUR SEASONS FIRENZE FOR CHARITY

Giardino della Gherardesca - Firenze, Italy

Finally the privately held Giardino della Gherardesca opens its doors for charity on Sunday, December 16th, 2012. 

Go and visit it at the Four Seasons Firenze in Borgo Pinti 99.

All the money collected will be donated to the Istituto degli Innocenti which everyday takes care of children.

There will be activities for kids and adults such as games and food markets and souvenirs and of course a lot of Santa Claus with gifts.

Don't miss this open day to rise funds for charity. What you have to do is to offer some money (starting from €1) and have fun !!!

Giardino della Gherardesca @ Four Seasons Firenze

SYNAGOGUE OF FLORENCE

Sinagoga di Firenze

The synagogue was built between years 1784 and 1882 by the jewish architect Mario Traves.

The overall form of the synagogue is the cruciform of the Hagia Sophia emulated by so many mosques.

Its structure is alternated of travertine and pink pomato. Old photographs show bold red and beige stripes, but the bold colors of the stone have faded over time, leavink a ore mottled effect.

Synagogue of Florence

It has a great dome and two corner towers topped by smaller domes in a perfect Moorish style. The domes are sheathed in copper wich has turned green over the years. 

Interior of the synagogue

The interior, suffused with golden light, is covered with decorative motifs by Giovanni Panti, consisting in red and blue arabesques. 

The synagogue during world war II was used as a vehicle garage by the fascists and after the war the italian resistance saved it by beeig destroyed. Only a limited amount of damage was done.

The doors of the Holy Ark - before wich a lamp burns perpetually - still bear scars inflicted by Fascists bayonetes.

The Great Synagogue of Florence

Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 6

Info and Reservations: +39 055 2346654

Open: Everyday from 10am to 5pm

Closed: Every saturday and on Jewish holidays/December 25th/January1st

Tickets price: full €5 / reduced €4

AUDI A3 SPORTBACK TEMPORARY STORE FLORENCE

Firenze temporary store Audi A3

The new AUDI A3 SPORTBACK seen for the first time this year at the Paris Motor Show 2012 , is now visible in the temporary store of Via de' Tornabuoni, 1a in Florence, Italy.

Audi A3 Sportback

Go and see it yourself... the store has a free entrance and is open everyday from 10am to 8pm.

But hurry up - the store is open until Sunday December 16th, 2012...

The Marketing Director of Audi Italia Mr. Christian Gussen says that: They organised this special initiative (the temporary store) because the desire to see the new car was very very big since its first presentation. Bringing the new model in contact with the public in the city, in everyday life, is the best way to make it known and appreciated.

GERMAN MARKET BY NIGHT

Firenze - Mercatino di Natale

Florence by night

Santa Croce Square

APERITIVO AD ARTE @ PALAZZO DAVANZATI

Aperitivo ad arte @ Palazzo Davanzati - Florence, Italy

Every friday from November 16th, 2012 to February 1st, 2013 the Apertitivo ad Arte will take place at Palazzo Davanzati in Florence, Italy (via Porta Rossa 13).

Make something different on friday evening from 7pm to 10.30pm, go and visit this ancient florentine palace enjoying an aperitivo and every 45 minutes the Compagnia delle Seggiole will perform in a scenic way with Renaissance music how life was at the period.

Reservation is recommended at this number: +39 055 294883 . The cost of the aperitivo is €15 per person!