This was a day filled with art museums. We had a reservation for the Uffizi in the morning and for the Galleria dell Accademia in the afternoon (make sure to get reservations if you are planning on going to these!).
Some of the Uffizi highlights were the “Birth of Venus” by Botticelli, “The Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci, the “Holy Family” by Michelangelo and the “Bacchus” by Caravaggio. My favorite was the Birth of Venus and in general the Leonardo da Vinci room (room 15). The museum is really beautiful and the views from the upper floors were really nice.
Then we were off to the Galleria dell’Accademia. On our way there we strolled through the cobblestone streets going into some beautiful stationery stores (one of my obsessions) and we went to see the Duomo (just from the outside for today). The Accademia di Belle Arti and the adjoining Gallery still occupy the premises that were assigned in Via Ricasoli, a former convent and hospice while the headquarters of the Accademia delle Arti del Disegno nowadays is Palazzo dell’Arte dei Beccai. The accedemia was the first academy of drawing in Europe. It was nice to see all the art students walking around. I wanted to go check out the school and walked into the court-yard. K. was walking a bit behind me and he got stopped as the school is not open to tourists. The advantage of being European and not looking like a tourist! I felt bad about keeping him behind so turned around as well. I would love to go back to school someday and take some classes in Firenze.
On our way out we went to see the “Contemporary Architecture in Finland” exhibition showcasing selection of contemporary Finnish architecture projects, installations of the Finnish designer Eero Aarnio, as well as various objects created by young Finnish designers. The projects featured focus on their ability to represent people friendly architecture. Very inspiring exhibition.
We were pretty tired after a day filled of art exhibitions and spent the evening walking around the streets of Florence, having a wonderful dinner on a beautiful piazza. On our way back to the hotel we enjoyed another incredible gelato. Good thing we walked so much!
Ciao
It sounds almost surreal the way you describe it…you could never have a day like that here. I can’t believe some people actually live amonst all that art and beauty and history!
XO
Lenore
That is one of the things I miss most about Europe. I crave being surrounded by art and history. 🙂
love your photos…… just art
Oh my. I love that photo with the horse, so much.
And yesterday Kelly told me he would be interested in going to Italy so guess who’s blog link he will be getting today as a really big hint… 😉
I’m Lindsay Wright’s sister-in-law and I must say your art and photos are breathtaking. I have throroughly enjoyed “travelling ” with you…I feel I am there. May I asked what accomodations you had and where? If I could duplicate your trip with your “itinerary” , this would be amazing. To follow in your footsteps would be as if you are the tour guide!
Thank you for sharing your gifts!
Joanne