On a wartime night in August of 1944, the historic bridges of Florence were bombed, destroyed as German forces fled the city. Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge spared. Why would it not suffer the same fate as the other fallen bridges?
Category: Florence History
Florence’s Orsanmichele: How The City’s Grain Storage Became a Beloved Church
Via Calzaiuoli is a street made for strolling. Along this pedestrian-only thoroughfare, it’s easy to wander between some of Florence’s most sought after sites including the Duomo, Florence’s iconic red-domed cathedral, and the Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge in town which survived World War II. Tucked in between these two sites is the historic church…
Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici: The Woman Behind the Treasures of Florence
And so it was that on this day in Florence in July of 1737, a day which I imagine would have been oppressive and hot as summer days can be in Tuscany, the last ruling member of the Medici family, Grand Duke Gian Gastone, died. He had been a poor representation of the once-great Medici…
Gone But Not Lost: The Bridges of Florence during World War II
Florence, World War II. July 1944. The city, occupied by Nazis for the past year, is on the brink of liberation by Allied forces. “The Allied forces are advancing on Florence,” confirmed the thousands of leaflets that fluttered from the sky, dropped by American planes. “The city’s liberation is at hand. Citizens of Florence, you…
Churches of Florence: A Love Story, Part Two
“I never weary of great churches. It is my favorite kind of mountain scenery. Mankind was never so happily inspired as when it made a cathedral.” — Robert Louis Stevenson Like many who have fallen for Italy, I too never weary of churches. I am not shy in professing my love of all things Duomo, but, a dire…
Churches of Florence: A Love Story, Part One
“I never weary of great churches. It is my favorite kind of mountain scenery. Mankind was never so happily inspired as when it made a cathedral.” — Robert Louis Stevenson Like many who have fallen for Italy, I too never weary of churches. I am not shy in professing my love of all things Duomo, but, a dire…
A Historically Proud City
I keep expecting to tire of reading about Renaissance Florence, but thus far, that hasn’t happened. After writing my recent post on Renaissance reads, I was inspired to start the biography Leonardo: The Artist and the Man by Serge Bramly. Just a couple of chapters in, Bramly sets the stage of Florence at the time when…
Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici: The Woman Behind the Treasures of Florence
And so it was that on a July day in Florence, 1737, one which I imagine would have been oppressive and hot as summer days can be in Tuscany, the last ruling member of the Medici family, Grand Duke Gian Gastone, died. He had been a poor representation of the once-great Medici family and with his…
Reads for Renaissance Lovers
Whether categorized as a collection or a fascination/obsession, one topic which is well represented in my home library is the Renaissance. I tend to purchase a book or two during my travels, sparked by something amazing I’ve seen and unable to resist the always strategically placed gift shops. Examples: Above: Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King is a must-read…
Reads for Renaissance Lovers: Just the Lists
For an extended version of this post which includes book summaries and thoughts from your reviewer, please click here. 15 Renaissance Reads Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered by Dianne Hales Brunelleschi’s Dome by Ross King Leonardo and The Last Supper by Ross King Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling by Ross King (detecting a pattern, here?)…
Prayers & Piazzas 