Italy - 3 related but not related activities 2025-05-30

Sometimes you see it live,

other times it's on edit...

Today, we decided to see the Museo Nazionale del Bargello aka Palazzo Bargello. It was low on our list of 'must sees' but after spending time there, I would move it up on your visit. It's filled with a ton of statues. It is housed in the oldest public building in Florence, and has one of the most important collections in the world of Italian Renaissance sculpture. You can see at least two of the TMNT (IYKYK). There were so many amazing sculptures, phenomenal ceilings and stained glass, and is a great way to spend a morning.

Courtyard:

A sampling:

 

After Palazzo Bargello, we needed a sit-down break and so we visited something we saw the first week we were here - the Cat Cafe. If you've never been, and you need to pet some kitties, it's so perfect.  A cafe where you can enjoy a beverage and a tasty pastry while the 'dinner and a show' performers take the stage. You must ring the bell to be admitted and then you enter the sealed chamber between the outside and inside of the cafe. Once the front door closes behind you, a staff member lets you in the playspace, err uhm, cafe.

After resetting our sugar and adorableness levels, we walked back home and went by Chiesa di Santa Maria Novella. It's over by the train station and we've spent six weeks walking through it's piazza.  There had always seemed to be a long line, but today, NO LINE!  Quick, let's power walk over to the entrance before a cruise tour comes through. The church was designed by Dominican friars, with construction beginning in 1279 and lasting for approximately 80 years. It houses numerous works of art from the Renaissance period - shocker! - and is known for its unique facade, which was completed in the late 15th century. It is also known for it's Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica. The friars were well-known for their scent combinations including Catherine de' Medici's bergamot scent. Reminder - Chiesa di Santa Croce was the domain for the Franciscan friars. Chiesa di Santa Maria Novella also has some astronomical measuring devices in the frieze on the front; an armillary and a sundial. So far, this is my second favorite church behind Santa Croce.

  

A lovely courtyard

On the walk home, we saw this beautiful Bougainvillea - For weeks it's been the jasmine in bloom and it's lovely to see more color and also the end of the cloying scent of that little white scent-bomb that adorn every possible fencing. 

Today's Street Art (it's getting harder to find things we've not seen)