Saturday 14th: Valentines Day

With a slightly later start than on Friday we were all quite happy to be at breakfast for about 8am: we were given the delights of cereal, yoghurt, cheese, meats, croissant things and bread, as well as an array of bevarages to satisfy our thirst.

We began our day at the San Marco Monastry where we marvelled at the frescoes painted by Fra Angelico, we also saw the fine architecture of Michelozzo who had come up with a new innovation: providing each monk with his own cell, to which it was decorated with frescoes relating to the life of Christ. Here we learnt that the elegant austerity of Michelozzo's architecture and how if reflected the life of the Dominicans. Whilst we were there we also viewed the works of Lorenzo Monaco, allowing us a contrast of artists and the difference in painting eras.

After viewing the frescoes at San Marco, we moved on to another museum: Cenacola di Sant'Appollonia, where we were able to see how frescoes had been created: frescoes in the museum had had the intonaco layer of the fresco removed so that all that was left on the wall was the sinopia (drawing). In class it was always easy to understand that this was the case, however the fact that we were able to see it in reality was a treasure that we won't forget.

The Ospedale degli Innocente (foundling hospital back in the time of the Renaissance) was the first fully classical ornament and a system of proportion was applied in the Tuscan Romanesque traditions. The entire group were able to immerse themselves in the amazing architectural designs of Brunelleschi in the Piazza S S Annunciata; here we made sketches of the architecture and the features.

Michelangelo's statue of David is the single most famous piece of Renaissance sculpture, and all 17 of us were lucky to visit the Accademia to marvel at the craftsmanship. It had been removed from the Piazza della Signoria in 1873 as it was dwarfed by the surrounding buildings, now, however it is marvelled in all its glory...which is exactly what we all did. While we were at the Accademia we also looked at other paintings such as Michelangelo's St Matthew, the unfinished sculpture intended for the tomb of Pope Julius II: also by Michelangelo...all of which were outstanding pieces of art. We also saw Botticelli and Fra Filippo Lippi.

The Medici family were quite famous in the Renaissance time as they were considered to be the richest family in Florence, their rivals being the Pazzi's (who later were hung for the murder of one of the Medici's), however once they had returned from exile, they built a new palace; to which we had the pleasure of visiting. We basked in all its grandeur, all envisaging wat life was like for them back in the days.

After a quick walk to the other side of the River Arno, we visited the Brancacci Chapel and were able to see the frescoes that adorned the walls, they were the creations of Masaccio.

After an enjoyable dinner at a restaurant nearby, we all headed to "Space Electronics" were we partied away till the early hours of the morning to which we all enjoyed ourselves...it wasn't long beore we were all asleep in bed exhausted after all the dancing we did.

Florence!

We arrived safely in Florence and straight were in awe with the amazing sights of the city. Even though it was dark the moonlight gave it all the more better atmosphere as we wondered the italian streets beofre we headed back to the hotel.

The next morning we woke up to the delights of the Florence sunshine and after breakfast headed to our first destination for the day. However being Friday 13th, we were bound to head into some bad luck. As we went to the Bargello museum we found the top floor was closed due to workers on stike. But we still managed to enjoy the other art work in the building.

Our next big challenge was to climb to the top of the Dome, which contains 463 steps. But the view was well worth it. To see everyones experssions as they steped onto the roof was like watching an art collector find an undiscovered work of Lenardo Di Vinci.

We then headed to the Orsanmichele, and viewed the spectacular works or art on the outside of the building. But still being Friday 13th, we found the museum inside was also closed.

The next stop was the Piazza della Signoria, were many beautiful sculptures lay in this square. As Mrs.Hadley gave us the educational side to the sculptures, we were still taken aback by the beauty of the work.

To our next surprise on Friday 13th, we found the next destination was also closed, the Uffizi!
So we filled in our time by visitng various other places that we were meant to do later on the trip, nevertheless it was all still very much enjoyable.

We finished the day by shopping in the markets and then heading to our hotel rooms to get ready for supper, to taste the delights of the legendary italian food.

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