The First Medici Palace

On Monday June 20, we toured the Medici Palace.

Walking in the Medici Garden.

Photograph of us through the mirror in the Hall of Mirrors at the Medici Riccardi Palace.

Palazzo Vecchio

After Laura's report, the class viewed the sculptural ensemble (inluding Michelangelo's David) and then toured the "Old Palace" of Florence.

Thursday, June 16: Loggia dei Lanzi

Laura presenting her report on Cellini 'sand Giambologna's two distinctive styles of making sculpture.

On Wednesday, June 15, we toured the entire Bargello.

The Bargello, once the old city hall and then the office of the police chief, then a prison, is now home to Italy's National Sculpture Museum.

A couple of pictures of us inside the Bargello.

Sitting in the cloister of San Lorenzo.

Going up the stairs at the Laurentian Library. The world's first public library.

David and Jiahao give their reports inside Santa Maria del Fiore.

Brunelleschi's Dome.

The dome itself was completed in 1436, long after the church of Santa Maria del Fiore was completed. Our class met here today, and if you squint you can see them up on the roof of the dome. I stayed on the ground and took the picture!

We're walking around the monestary of Santa Croce, and posing in the cloister.

Friday's class met at Santa Croce.

This is the largest Franciscan church in the world. It is known as a church of monumental heroes because so many prominent Italians heros were buried here, such as Michelangelo and Galleo.

Dining with Jersey Shore Cast

Quite by accident on Thursday, I sat at an al fresco cafe with the cast of Jersey Shore. We talked a bit, and a producer of the show gave me a release agreement to sign. So, the dean may well be on MTV soon! Here's a picture of them scarfing down Italian pasta.

Walking along the Ponte Vecchio.

David Barrentine poses with one of his favorite sculptures and gives a "thumbs-up" to Donatello's Zuccone (1413-26).

Santa Maria Novella

Our class portrait in front of Santa Maria Novella.

Christina gives her report on the numerical aspects of the design of the church of Santa Maria Novella.

We're on the rooftop of the Loggia dei Lanzi, and behind us is the Palazzo Vecchio.

We're looking at the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio and the Vassari Corridor.

Looking out of a window at the Arno River.

Picture of us inside the Uffizi.

Tuesday, June 7, our class met at the Uffizi.

Santa Maria del Fiore

Here's where we met for our first class, located on the street where Michelangelo, Galleo and other Renaissance giants strolled.

Walking tour rainout.

On Sunday, we went on a walking tour of the city; however, an unusual storm hit the city and we were doused with incredible rain and pummeled with hail with heavy winds. We took refuge here in a nearby loggia. Later we went to get pizza. Laura got a take-home box and on the way to our orientation, she traded the pizza with a gypsy for a plastic rain parka!

Arkansans find Firenze Razorback!

Legend has it, if you rub the Florence Boar, you will return to Florence one day.

Departure for Florence

We're on our way to Florence and we'll see the Ponte Vecchio.

And, I'll bet you'll take more than one picture of this famous bridge when you see it on Sunday, June 5!

It appears today much as it did when it was built long before the Renaissance began. The earliest historical record of the bridge is documented in a manuscript dated 996. But, we know that a bridge at this location was in existence when the Romans settled the area.

The Ponte Vecchio,the oldest bridge in Florence, and one of the most photographed bridges in the world. It was the only bridge to survive World War II.

You will soon learn the secret of the "Padlock"!

Originally the stores on it were for merchant butchers who would slaughter animals and throw the entrails and waste products over the side to be carried away by the Arno River. Today, the bridge boasts an array of famous jewelry shops, each looking like a jewel box.