It was museum day: the Galleria dell’Accademia in the morning and the Uffuzi after lunch. Sandwiched in between was the Church of Santa Maria Novella and more wanderings about Florence by our Aimless Tours group.
The Galleria dell’Accademia is home for Michelangelo’s David. While I had seen the “fake” David before in Piazza Signorelli on past trips, I had never experienced the majesty of seeing the real David in person. I now understand why he is viewed by millions every year. At over 17 feet tall, he is awe-inspiring.
The Uffizi houses perhaps the greatest collection of Renaissance art in the world. A former palace of the famed Medici family, the Uffizi offers museum goes an overwhelming experience in sculpture and painting.
While I enjoy art and the Renaissance is of particular interest, going through both the Accademia and the Uffizi can be an exhausting experience. I think it’s all that slow walking, stopping, starting, and trying to look like you know what you’re doing. So, for those of you who would rather spend a day in Florence shopping or doing other things, here is Skip’s The History of Western Art from a Cyclist’s Perspective.
The Egyptians - triangles;
The Romans - prettier columns;
The Middle(Dark) Ages - bad;
The early Renaissance - good;
The Renaissance - better;
The High Renaissance- best;
Michelangelo - naked men;
Botticelli - naked women;
Durer - folded hands;
Notti - big meals;
Donatelli - a teenage turtle;
Bellini - best served with good champagne;
Leonard de Vinci - drawings of naked men;
Caravaggio - men in pain.
Part Two
Over the last couple of days, we have learned a lot about the neighborhood. First, it’s very centrally located. We are only about a block from the Duomo and everything is only a few minutes away. Second, we found a great restaurant which is right next door: Zio Gigi. It’s complete with an opera singing owner, a smart ass waitress, and the best food we’ve had in Florence. So far we’ve experienced papparadelle with wild boar, pasta with porcini mushrooms, white beans with olive oil, and Florentine steaks done to perfection. Tonight’s dinner was topped off with a Vecchio Amaro del Capo (gratis) and then grappa. We are very happy campers.
BTW - Many pictures in on this blog are courtesy of Joe Marotta Photography. It helps to have a pro as part of Aimless Tours.
Loved "The History of Western Art from a Cyclist’s Perspective". Very clever. I looked up the restaurant and saw a photo of Zio. He looks like a hoot! Keep having fun.
ReplyDeleteNancy