Day 29: Modern Architecture and the Duomo

Today was pretty laid back.  One of the things we've noticed about Milan is that everywhere it is possible there are roof gardens.

There is also a lot of cool modern architecture, along with the old beautiful buildings.

There is an installation called Needle, Thread & Knot--a nod to Milano fashion industry.

We spent the afternoon going inside the Duomo.  Nothing compared to the outside, but thousands of panes of stained glass--from the 1500s until the 20th century. 

 

Day 28: Milano, Art, & La Scala

We had a busy day.  We started at the Museo del Novecento (900 Museum) that is focused on Modern and Contemporary Art. There was an Italian artist I had never hear of whom I really liked--Umbero Boccioni.

There were a few groups of teachers and students in the museum.  The teachers were talking animatedly about paintings and kids were joining in.  Very lovely to see.

Another painting I really liked was Blue Dancer by Gino Severini.

The museum had a wonderful restaurant four stories up overlooking the Duomo.  It had terrific food and views.

The Duomo Piazza was much less crowded today.

We had tickets for a William Forsythe ballet at La Scala in the evening.

Great day in Milano.

 

Day 26 & 27: Milano

Yesterday we took the high speed train from Firenze to Milano. It was really easy and comfortable. 

Took a taxi to our hotel.  The rooms are small but very nice (compared to our last two hotels where we had the equivalent of an apartment).  This one has a lovely balcony.

Today we walked over to the Duomo--a few blocks from our hotel.  We both remember the Duomo from 40 years ago. We had the exact same recollections.  It was black with soot and there were hardly any people there.  As you can see, both have changed drastically--the cleaning of the Duomo was definitely for the better. The hoards of people, not so much.

This has always been a magnificent structure, but I didn't remember the thousands of statues and carvings that adorn the place.

We spent the rest of the day sitting in the Piazza and going into the Galleria, which was as stunning as it was in the past.

We had a great dinner and an early evening.

These came with coffee (no charge).  Well, we already laid down some heavy change for dinner :-).

 

Day 25: The Uffuzi Gallery and Accademia

What a day.  We signed up for a small group tour of the Uffuzi Gallery and Academia and only had two other people with us and an outstanding guide. It was like a private tour.  Not only was Larisa well versed in art history, but she got us right in front of all of the important works with no waiting in line.  Here is Botticelli's Primavera and Birth of Venus. I got tears in my eyes when I saw the Birth of Venus in person.

This one was by Michelangelo. He made the frame for it also.  It caused quite a stir with all of the naked people in the background.

The colors of Raffaello are still stunning.

There were windows in the Uffuzi that had great views of the Arno River.

Then we walked to Accademia to see David.  He was magnificent.  You can't really tell from the photo, but he was huge. Wow!

After a morning of art, we wandered to the Mercato Centrale to look at the food and have a snack.  Great spot.

Fabulous last day in Firenze.

 

Day 24: Wandering Firenze and Santa Croce Church

Today was a very relaxing day in Firenze. There is a lot of street art.  Here are a couple of examples close to our hotel.

A few steps from our hotel is Palazzo Vecchio. This statue, the Fountain of Neptune, was commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici.  Apparently it's been vandalized regularly from when it was 1st installed. Fairly recently Salvatore Ferragamo had it restored.

A guide we had in Siena said the Church of Santa Croce was wonderful.  She was correct.  There were hardly any people there which made it pleasant without its treasures.

We were able to see the tombs of Michelangelo:

Machiavelli:

And Galileo Galilei:

They gave us a map when we arrived and it was like a treasure hunt.  This is from the Medici Chapel.

The place is covered in frescos.  Here are a couple.

We were also able to watch an employee cleaning the artwork.

In the evening we wandered back through Palazzo Vecchio and there was a large crowd and a stage.  Apparently in 1993 there was a bombing by the Mafia next door at the Uffuzi Gallery and 5 people were killed.  They were having a 30 year memorial.  We stayed to listen to the speeches even though I couldn't pick up much with my Duoling Italian.  Eventually they had a wonderful pianist come on stage to play.  His name was Danilo Rea and the 1st song in his medley was Dylan's Blowing in the Wind. 

A remarkable day.