I Got You Babe...

Behind the column you see what was left of a statue that was at one time a water fountain.
The courtyard had lots of these.

This is the top of the Column.

A part of the building.

Amazing workmanship ...to think most of it has survived..bet they have mega crews maintaining it..

These carved plaques were the top of a threshold in the courtyard.

Beautiful, you know what is truly amazing, they didn't have all the modern tools we've got today..doubt any of our architecture will be around as long...

I know Betty, I am trying to remember how old this particular building is.
pretty sure Centuries...

This is the entrance to the museum...The Medicee is 4 stories!
In the main room Is all Stone Statues. They were incredible.

Now much of the art, painting and some statues are of the Religious sort.

In the main room, OMG Remarkable stone statues of Adam and Eve.
They were done by Michelangelo! OMG, I must have stood there and studies the pieces for a half an hour.

He definatley is a Master Artist...

There was also a bust of him self, his rendition of self portrait. We were at awe.

Also in the courtyard a cannon!

Here is the butt of the cannon.

Such memories...bet you are already planning your 50th..

This Bronze "The Fisher Boy" by I believe
Vincenczo Gemito, around (1874-1876)
In 1877 the piece was exhibited in the Parasian Salon.

Inside the Medicee, main room was also a statue of the madooza?

There was a tour guide by her so we didn't get to see it close up, but my gosh!

Also, a rendition of David with his foot on the giants head. It was so well crafted you would think you watched it happen.
David still had the rope tied around himself while foot was anchoring the giants head. Incredible.

Another part of the courtyard, more water fountain sculptures.

In the upper deck, theer was this spectacular wooden sculpture of all kinds of animals.
Each so defined. Unfortunaley I couldn't get a picture because of a class tour.
LOL, it was kind of a bummer, because you know these kids weren't even paying attention.

But I did enjoy watching a couple of people sketching a few of the statues.

Imagine having a school trip visiting this museum...lucky young ones...

In the lowest level of the Medicee is the area prisoners were held.

These were small cells, enclosed in the thickest iron doors. Some room were completely enclosed with just a small hole.

That was our tour of the Medicee.

We bout a couple of postcards. These are tombstones sculpted by Michelangelo and Buonarroti it's dated Caprese 1475 and Roma 1564

The rest of the day in Florence, We spent time wandering around, shopping.

We did go to another Museum that was actually an Art school, as well...Wow Each of the rooms had a specific area of study.
A sculpture room, Painting, and even music. it was pretty neat.

This photo of Window, again a part of the Santa Maria Del fiore Catherdral

.

We were able to walk right in at the end of the day!
OMG, so Beautiful...This Church remains in operation.

We visited at just before the Mass was to be said.

I lit a candle and said a prayer.

I have to say, I usually can pray anywhere, but being in this Church I had difficulties staying focused!

and look at this floor!
Again, we were wowed with the workmanship.

and another section.

And a glimpse of the ceiling!

Tomorrow we will climb 465 stairs to the top and get a closer look at the ceiling, and view Firenze from there.

Seeds, what beautiful pictures! They take my breath away, and I wasn't even there!

Truly, if you like Michelangelo, please pick up the book. You almost feel as if you are him, the way Irving Stone wrote it. And it definitely gives you more of an appreciation of sculpture and what he went through to create those sculptures.

I can't wait for tomorrow, this is a wonderful thread, thanks for sharing!

Well we know where all the artist are! Bravo!!! Love the detail on everything, those people love their work that is for sure. Not so sure about the man boobs on some of those statues LOL. Can't believe you remembered what all that was, I would have had to take notes Seed.

LOL, Betty, I am still recovering from this anniversary!

It was nice to see the schools touring. Much of the early afternoons the buses came with Kids from all over.

I too wondered what kind of tools the Sculptures used.

I did notice that some of the Century old painting were done on Wooden Canvas!! Thought that was pretty cool.

Later in the day, We visited the last Museum.

The Accadamia Galleria...
We enjoyed looking at all the art in the gallerie, but the most Stunning of all was seeing Michelangelo's David!!

Wow, This Masterpiece is made of one single block of Marble.
It towers the center of the room and people can walk all the way around it.
It is so defined you can see the veins in his hands and arms.

I will try and find the small video clip, Camera;s weren't allowed but people were shooting away anyway. Steve did sneak a quick video too.

Hi Smiley and Flowers!

I am glad you are enjoying the photos. LOL it is hard to decide which to show you!
There are so many...

yep, I think I will look for that book. I might appreciate what I am reading now that I have seen with my own eyes his spectacular work, not to mention you make it sound like a fantastic read!

LOL, Flowers, I did take notes! I made sure to take a notebook everywhere we went.

Oh and you will see tomorrows viewing today!

Back out side to the Duomo area..This is the Bronze doors to the Babtistry. We did not go in to see.
But even the bronze doors are ornately carved!

That was the last of the touring that day.
All along the way, we shopped at the kiosks. This one place DH was caught eyeing up a leather jacket.
Oh my those vendors are true salesmen! They don't forget a face either. LOL, Steve told this one we wanted to sort of shop around but he would be back to buy this Jacket from him...
Reluctantly the man agreed and would watch out for us...ROFLOL, that he did too! As we walked in search of the same vendor, Out he jumps from the back and reminds Steve he still has the Jacket just for him. So, being a man of his word, He tries the jacket on again and makes the purchase!

What beauty.....sigh....that is too cool Seed.....more? please?

As walked back to the hotel we found Carousal in the middle of a square. Thought it was pretty neat.

smile, hi Moon...you got it more to come.

Whats a carousal without a clown!
This guy was pretty funny...here he was playing with this lil guy, while making balloon thingies.

Steve looks nifty in that jacket, now tell me, can he wear it while riding that bike of his? where's your matching jacket..have to have a talk with that Steve if he didn't get you one!!!

As the day came to an end...We walked around and found a nice place to have dinner.
Ahhh, a real Tuscan steak dinner. LOL, this place was completely empty for about 10 minutes!
Then a whole tour bus of people came in. We enjoyed it very much.

LOL Betty, no I didn't get a jacket. I got a leather purse!
We have Leathers, but his is very heavy, so we wanted him to get a lighter weight.
Couldn't beat the price, only 99 euros!!

After dinner, we walked back in the early evening and the vendors were breaking down the kiosks.

We wondered where they all went at the end of the day.
Some vendors returned their items to their stores, while others locked them up in these tunnels!
During the Day the tunnels looked just like empty alley ways.

And here we are carrying our treasures of the day.
We were tired, and had to make ready for traveling the next day.

(Betty, you can see my little leather purse!)

Nice find Judy...

In some of the photo's I noticed a lot of street debris...is it a 'clean' country?

I smell the leather!!
My sister brought me a couple of Italian leather purses.. oh what luxury!!
Whistling at sistah Judy and Steve.. what a handsome couple!

Can you start a new thread please.. Judy.. please... this is getting hard for me to open up and I don't want to miss all the pics.

LOL, not the best place for a picture, but it is where we found some to take a picture of the 2 of us.

Well to answer your question, I have to say it is pretty clean in most areas.
Florence is a pretty big City and lot and lots of people. I think we just ended up in a not so clean area.

Alot of folks take care of their own walkways. We did see people sweeping and even mopping their little sections.

Hi Jaye. Thanks for the whistles! LOL.

Just got love the smell of leather, feels real nice and soft too.

OK, starting new thread, thanks for letting me know.

Imagine it's like any place, some just scatter debris...how about the gardens Judy??? any photo's of the gardens???

Guess it's time to leave..have an appt. and don't want to be late, why? because you told me I musn't...be back on the new thread...don't forget to include the link on this one.

Thank You for the reminder...

I hope your appointment is GOOD news, lol good girl.

Please travel over here for continuation.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1095871/

I'll see you there.