This is Fiesole's city hall - again it has the plaques on the side of the building representing each governor's shield/house/symbol/last name
The backside of the bell tower . . . we'll see the front later.
The hill we get to climb to reach Saint Francis Church . . .
at the top looking down
And then the VIEW!
********** http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee72/skye_watcher/florence/Florence%202/?action=view¤t=florencejune29079.flv
********** just a little vid ************
And if you turn away from the view . . .
the actual church . . . front
The top of the hill . . . the church of Saint Francis view of the city
on the side of the church . .
Inside the Church . . . .
This painting represents the Virgin Mary receiving Christ into her womb. The angel Gabrielle is holding the lily (the Virgin Mary's flower). God is above the frame seemingly blessing this scared happening, blessing the Church, and blessing the man at the bottom of the painting. The man at the bottom of the painting almost in the viewers space praying, is the man who payed for the painting. His actual tomb, and his families tombs, are probably underneath the alter that is right below the painting. A lot of Churches have the tombs of their benefactors in their floor, as you'll see in later blogs.
This painting is of the prophets describing the happenings above them. They said in the Bible that there will be born a women of no sin - the Virgin Mary - and she will give birth to the son of God. In the top part of the painting you see God - top center - holding out his wand and blessing Mary with birth without sin. In the lower part of the painting are all the prophets that said this would happen, except the guy in the far right corner who looks like he's kinda yelling. He was the prophet that said that this would not, could not happen. Notice no one is listening to him. And the man looking directly at us on the left side is, i think, a self portrait of the artist himself. Basically all Renaissance art has numerous symbols hidden throughout their paintings.
Now leaving the church, down the hill, we come to the Roman Ruins . . .
this is just a museum of Roman Ruins
A still working Roman Theater . . .
A small shrine
The Bell tower from the front
ME!
Be careful where you step!
Those arches are where the Bath house was, and the big pit at my feet was a wadding pool for exercise
close up of the pools edge
Bathing was a all day process for the romans. First of all this is an males only thing. Secondly they were nude during exercising and bathing. They would first workout by running, swimming, and lifting weights. Then to get the sweat, dirt, etc. off their bodies they would cover themselves from head to toe in olive oil and scrap the oil off, this would not only rid themselves of the dirt and sweat but also moisturize their skin. Then they would visit the baths. The first bath house they would go into would be the frigidarium or cold room; created by just fresh spring water (where the archs are) . ..
then they would proceed to the tepidarium, which was at room temperture; by just heating one furnace and letting the stem go under the floors and walls of the pool to heat the water to room temperture - sometimes there wouldn't even be water in this room
And then on to the HOT HOT HOT room heated by two furnaces called the caldarium. (that red brick area are the furnaces)
AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! TOO MUCH SUN!
This is the Gym pool . . .
The open green space closest to the right is the gym weightlifting area. And that long thing ditch is a lap swimming area.
This are the baths from the other side .. . .
Then we made our way back to Firenze. This is just a water fountain where you can fill your water bottle or drink or refresh yourself with.
Then that night my house, Lungarno Vespucci, had a house dinner. I had a pesto pasta and it was Divine!
Okay. Starting from the left . . . Claire, our R.A. Angie, Bryan, Matt, Aleska (pronounced alexa), and Allie. Allie and Claire are my room roommates.
From the left are Brittany (who's not in our house or the Florence program for that matter. she's studying abroad in Milian and met up with us somewhere so she just hangs with our house until her program starts monday) and then Rachael.
From the Left . . . Kiki, Kate, and Lisa
From the left . . . . Laura and Carlynn.
And this is from the left . . . Rachael, Me, Laura, and Carlynn.
This was a traditional Italian meal, aka 3 hrs. long, 3 courses, some wine, and excellent food.
And that ended my second day in italy!
I have videos but they're too big to upload. you'll just have to see it when you see me!
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