Day 6, Oct 13
Slower start today. We hadn’t planned any destinations and sort of decided over breakfast that maybe we would explore with a bus. So first thing is to the nearby shop to buy a ticket loaded with 10 passes. The little electric minibus comes right down our street so we hopped on and had a tour along the Arno River and when the bus turned around we got off and caught a line going north to Piazza St Marco. We wanted to check out the lineup to the Accademia to see David. David was having much too much company today (the line went around the corner, around the block and down the road). Next time maybe.
So off to see the Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure. That means the workshop of hard stone. Sounds better in Italian. The Medicis set this up in their palace in the 1500s to produce fine furniture with semi precious stones. It was moved in the 1800s and now has its own home. We visited the museum and were awed by the fine work and beauty of the workmanship. They have over 600 different varieties of stone and for a rock hound it was amazing to see the wonderful things they could do. Eventually the art reached such a high level of skill that no one could afford it anymore and they priced themselves out of the market.
Met a lovely lady there with her little dog. She is from Seattle! Apparently she comes over twice a year and stays for 3 months each time and while she is here she runs a tour business taking people around town and on shopping tours. She had a group of Italian ladies with her today. Check her out at florenceshop4it.com
A short break for lunch and we were off this time to the south to visit Santa Corce. This is the city’s greatest gothic church and the final resting place of many famous Italians including Michelangeo, Dante, Galileo, and Florence Nightingale to name a few. This church was almost lost in the great flood of 1966. Amazing works of art and relics were devastated as the flood waters reached 6 meters. The art that was rescued and restored is now in its own museum in the monk’s former dining hall, inside the church grounds. We were able to take pictures inside this church without flash so we have some pics for you. The main altar although hinting that it must be very beautiful was almost completely covered in scaffold for restoration. The guide books tells us tongue in cheek that the church has been a building project for the last 700 years.
There is also a school of leather inside and we walked around and gawked. Everything is totally hand made by artists. Chris spotted the perfect purse that was made of ostrich leather in a delicious shade of purple decorated with amber beads and silver medallions. A LOVELY gentleman when asked what the price was said “Please let me take it out for you to look at.” Chris protested that she couldn’t afford it but admired the workmanship. I didn’t want to tell him it was the beads that I weas coveting. 795 Euros. I could have the same in the deer skin for a mere 495 Euros. You wouldn’t believe what a 495 Euro bag feels like. It was like a handful of butter it was so soft. I am now ruined for anything else. Back to Sav-On shopping bags for me. At least they are only a dollar.
Back on the bus for a tour of the south side of the river and home. Might try going out for dinner tonight at a little restaurant recommended by our landlady Lucy. Reviews tomorrow. They will have to go some to beat that ravioli we had last night. There wasn’t a scrap left over and many licked fingers. Yummy! Have to find the recipe for that walnut pesto.
Slower start today. We hadn’t planned any destinations and sort of decided over breakfast that maybe we would explore with a bus. So first thing is to the nearby shop to buy a ticket loaded with 10 passes. The little electric minibus comes right down our street so we hopped on and had a tour along the Arno River and when the bus turned around we got off and caught a line going north to Piazza St Marco. We wanted to check out the lineup to the Accademia to see David. David was having much too much company today (the line went around the corner, around the block and down the road). Next time maybe.
So off to see the Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure. That means the workshop of hard stone. Sounds better in Italian. The Medicis set this up in their palace in the 1500s to produce fine furniture with semi precious stones. It was moved in the 1800s and now has its own home. We visited the museum and were awed by the fine work and beauty of the workmanship. They have over 600 different varieties of stone and for a rock hound it was amazing to see the wonderful things they could do. Eventually the art reached such a high level of skill that no one could afford it anymore and they priced themselves out of the market.
Met a lovely lady there with her little dog. She is from Seattle! Apparently she comes over twice a year and stays for 3 months each time and while she is here she runs a tour business taking people around town and on shopping tours. She had a group of Italian ladies with her today. Check her out at florenceshop4it.com
A short break for lunch and we were off this time to the south to visit Santa Corce. This is the city’s greatest gothic church and the final resting place of many famous Italians including Michelangeo, Dante, Galileo, and Florence Nightingale to name a few. This church was almost lost in the great flood of 1966. Amazing works of art and relics were devastated as the flood waters reached 6 meters. The art that was rescued and restored is now in its own museum in the monk’s former dining hall, inside the church grounds. We were able to take pictures inside this church without flash so we have some pics for you. The main altar although hinting that it must be very beautiful was almost completely covered in scaffold for restoration. The guide books tells us tongue in cheek that the church has been a building project for the last 700 years.
There is also a school of leather inside and we walked around and gawked. Everything is totally hand made by artists. Chris spotted the perfect purse that was made of ostrich leather in a delicious shade of purple decorated with amber beads and silver medallions. A LOVELY gentleman when asked what the price was said “Please let me take it out for you to look at.” Chris protested that she couldn’t afford it but admired the workmanship. I didn’t want to tell him it was the beads that I weas coveting. 795 Euros. I could have the same in the deer skin for a mere 495 Euros. You wouldn’t believe what a 495 Euro bag feels like. It was like a handful of butter it was so soft. I am now ruined for anything else. Back to Sav-On shopping bags for me. At least they are only a dollar.
Back on the bus for a tour of the south side of the river and home. Might try going out for dinner tonight at a little restaurant recommended by our landlady Lucy. Reviews tomorrow. They will have to go some to beat that ravioli we had last night. There wasn’t a scrap left over and many licked fingers. Yummy! Have to find the recipe for that walnut pesto.
Thanks for all the messages Erin. Love to hear from you. Makes us feel good to see you are looking and giving us feedback. As for the communication we find that waving our arms and looking hopeless is very effective. Grin. and using Graci a lot........
Travel Tip:
Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure means Workshop of Semi-precious Stones.
The museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 8.15-14.00 and from Thursday from 8.15-19.00.
Via degli Alfani, 78
Florence, Italy
+39 055 265111
3 comments:
Yikes, 795 Euros. It is sad when you get to see and touch true craftsmanship and know that nothing you own or ever would own could compare. School of leather sounds really interesting, is it like an apprenticeship school or is it just a group of artisans that master in the same craft?
It looks like you guys are meeting lots of people, I find that that can be one of the most interesting parts of traveling.
Keep up the Italian, I'm certain you guys will be fluent before you know it.
xo
E
Hi There 2 Grannies, Seems like you are having a grand time exploying. I'm enjoying following you via blogs. JH
Thank you for mentioning my shopping tour in your blog!
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