Piazzale Michelangelo (Part 1 of 2)

A recent walk took us to the Piazzale Michelangelo. 

The  Piazzale Michelangelo is a very large plaza on a hill overlooking Florence.  It is a beautiful spot and provides amazing views of the center of Florence and the hills around Florence. 

A large bronze replica of Michelangelo's David is the centerpiece of the Piazzale, hence the name.  The Piazzale was built in 1869 and dedicated to Michelangelo, as part of the city's rebirth when it was the capital of Italy.     

It was quite a hike to walk to the top of the hill.  Exercise is good and it was well worth it. Check out the views. 

View from the Piazzale Michelangelo: the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio (left) and the Duomo and bell tower (right)  

View of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo, photo bombed by some random hottie

Two dudes hanging out in the Piazzale Michelangelo

Modern sculpture added to the Piazzale Michelangelo

Another modern sculpture at the Piazzale Michelangelo

And another one, with the random hottie

Next up: A surprise nearby.

Happy Diwali!

Last year, we celebrated Diwali in Little India in Jackson Heights in Queens.  We dined at the Jackson Diner with Greg's cousin Heather and her wonderful family.   

This year, we celebrated Diwali today at an excellent restaurant here in Florence, the Royal India Ristorante.  The food was authentic and great.  . 

Royal India and some random hottie on Diawli 2016

Not sure what Diwali is?  Here is the answer:

Diwali, la Festa delle Luci, è una delle più antiche e importanti feste celebrata in tutta l'India. Si ricorda il ritorno di Rama, manifestazione di Vishnu, nella sua capitale Ayodhya, dopo 14 anni di esilio e peregrinazioni.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the oldest and most important festivals celebrated all over India. He remembers the return of Rama, manifestation of Vishnu, in his capital Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and wandering.

Earthquake Today

Today, we felt an earthquake.  Around 7:42 a.m. local time, the bed shook for less than a minute and the chandelier above swung back and forth for a couple of minutes. 

The earthquake was felt in much of Italy.  It was centered in the mountains about 100 miles southeast of Florence, in the same region as three other earthquakes over the past two months. 

Here is some data from the scientists: 

Magnitude	Mw 6.5
Region	CENTRAL ITALY
Date time	2016-10-30 06:40:18.3 UTC
Location	42.84 N ; 13.11 E

We are fine here in Florence.  However, early reports near the epicenter are grim.

Stay safe. 

 

St. Who?

We recently visited a small church not far from where we live in Florence. It is the 14th century Chiesa di San Michele Visdomini, or the Church of Saint Michael.  While the church is not so beautiful on the outside (like many other churches in Italy), the interior is beautiful.  Below are some photos of the church. 

While visiting the church, we noticed the portrait of a saintly friar displayed atop one of the side altars.  The painting had no title.  After glancing at it, we recognized the saintly figure.  Do you?

Chiesa di San Michele Visdomini, façade

Chiesa di San Michele Visdomini, interior

Chiesa di San Michele Visdomini, portrait of St. ???

Clue:  If you need help, click here. 

Earthquakes

Two medium-sized earthquakes shook Italy two days ago.  There was serious damage but few injuries and no deaths.  A better result than the catastrophic earthquake in Italy two months ago ...

The location of all the recent earthquakes is more than 50 miles from Florence in the mountains along the major fault that runs down the spine of Italy.  (See map below.)  So, we were not affected by the earthquakes this week.  Thank goodness. 

Of course, earthquakes in Italy are a frequent occurrence and they can strike anywhere.  So, we will be as careful as we can be. 

Fortunately, we live in fairly new construction.  Our apartment is in a building constructed just over 500 years ago.

Many thanks to those of you who contacted us to make sure we are fine.  We are. 

We have donated money for earthquake relief to the Italian Red Cross (Crose Rossa Italiana).

Stay safe. 

Museums: Palazzo Pitti, Karl Lagerfeld

Keeping with the theme of art and fashion, we recently the Palazzo Pitti, a former Medici palace now home to several museums and beautiful gardens. 

One museum there is hosting an exhibition about fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld.   The exhibition is extensive and we snapped some photos. Enjoy. 

Suite 3906.   Edward Hopper called and wants his motif back.

Arty Puppets

Susan hopefully awaits a kiss from Uncle Karl, who seems thoroughly unmoved.  That is so like Uncle Karl.

"The Voyage of Ulysses", or how to travel in style with nothing more than a toga.  (Lighted panels depicting scenes from the 10 year voyage.)

As a friend pointed out, our 10 Year Plan is similar to the 10 year voyage of Ulysses.  We hope we do it in style and make Uncle Karl proud. 

Museums: Art and Fashion at the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze

A recent outing found us at an exhibition about art and fashion.  In Italy, where fashion is very important, the link between art and fashion was no surprise. 

The exhibition was hosted at the Central National Library of Florence, which is located near the river Arno. A few dresses were included in the exhibition, while original drawings and magazine pages comprised most of the collection.   

Here are some photos from our visit.  Enjoy.

The majestic façade of the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze

Some random hottie posing for the camera.

The exhibition asks the question "Is Fashion Art?"   Of course, the answer is yes. 

Panoramic view of the exhibition hall.

This illustration has a surreal, Dali-esque feel.

Susan wanted to buy this little number to wear next summer. 

A related exhibit is being hosted at the Salvatore Ferragmo museum.  Why knew fashion designers had museums? 

Celebrity Spotting

Well, it's been two weeks since we arrived in Florence and yesterday we spotted our first celebrity.

While we were on an afternoon walking tour, Rebel Wilson of Pitch Perfect fame breezed by in sunglasses.  Her face, blond hair and other features made her easy to recognize. 

Rebel Wilson in Pitch Perfect

She passed so quickly that we could not snap a photo.  Here is a photo of her museum visit yesterday.

Rebel Wilson posing in front of Michelangelo's David (10/24/2016)

During Year 1 in New York City, we spotted lots of celebrities.  It was easy--like shooting fish in a barrel.  Greg started to get a little paranoid after Susan spotted Kevin Bacon for a second time. Coincidence or something else?  Kevin seemed to flash a knowing smile at Susan. 

Kevin Bacon incognito

Travels in Tuscany--Fiesole

Florence is a city in the region of Tuscany.  Florence will serve as our home base and we will take trips around Tuscany.

Our first trip was to the nearby hill town of Fiesole, a short bus trip to the outskirts of Florence.

Fiesole is a very old town, rich with history.  Because Fiesole is located on top of a high hill, it is likely much older than Florence, which is situated along the river in the valley below.  Ancient people, like the Etruscans and their ancestors, preferred settling in more defensible locations (like hilltops) to fend off the inevitable attacks of other groups. 

Fiesole has an archaeological site and museum that are worth visiting.  The archaeological site has ruins from three eras of occupation. 

There are ruins of an Etruscan temple (from around 1,000 BC) and a sturdy defensive wall erected by the Etruscans.  The wall is still standing. 

During the Roman era (first century and later), a temple, theater and baths were built.  Their ruins are still there. 

During the Lombard era (around 600 BC), Lombards swept from the North and occupied a large part of Italy, including Fiesole, where Lombard tombs have been uncovered.  (Who were the Lombards?  They were a fun-loving bunch of lads originally from Scandinavia who partied their way south all the way to Italy where they settled and remained for two centuries.) 

Here are some photos from our visit. 

Fiesole:  Map of the archaeological site

Fiesole:  Ruins of the Etruscan temple, with some random dude

Fiesole:  View of the Roman baths

Fiesole:  View of the Roman theater

Fiesole:  Roman theater with some random hottie

Fiesole:  Map of the Roman baths. A cold, warm and hot bath was available, along with an ancient Gold's gym for working out.  The gym was in the "criptoporticus".

Fiesole:  Depiction of a Lombard burial in the Archaeological Museum

Fiesole:  An actual Lombard tomb discovered nearby and moved to the Archaeological Museum

Fiesole:  Some devil-may-care tourist standing atop the ancient town wall.  Apparently, she is not worried about the wall finally collapsing after 3,000 years.   

Fiesole:  Artsy photo about the changing seasons

 
P.S.  One of the benefits of visiting Fiesole is the view of nearby Florence.  Check it out here.