Esther's photos with the keyword: Florence

Along the Arno River in Florence, Italy. This photograph was taken mere steps away from the one at www.flickr.com/photos/ejhrap/6799218009/in/photostream , yet the mood is completely different. AIMG_3011

The Duomo, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Work was commenced in 1296 with the structure completed in 1436. Green, white and pink marble decorate the 19th century Gothic Revival façade. It, along with the the Baptistery and the Campanile, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AIMG_2994

The Duomo, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Work was commenced in 1296 with the structure completed in 1436. Green, white and pink marble decorate the 19th century Gothic Revival façade. It, along with the the Baptistery and the Campanile, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AIMG_2999

The Duomo, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Work was commenced in 1296 with the structure completed in 1436. Green, white and pink marble decorate the 19th century Gothic Revival façade. It, along with the the Baptistery and the Campanile, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AIMG_2983

The Duomo, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Work was commenced in 1296 with the structure completed in 1436. Green, white and pink marble decorate the 19th century Gothic Revival façade. It, along with the the Baptistery and the Campanile, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AIMG_2981

The dome of the Duomo in Florence, Italy was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. "Brunelleschi used more than 4 million bricks in the construction of the dome. He invented a new hoisting machine for raising the masonry needed for the dome, a task no doubt inspired by republication of Vitruvius' De Architectura, which describes Roman machines used in the first century AD to build large structures such as the Pantheon and the Baths of Diocletian, structures still standing which he would have seen for himself. He also issued one of the first patents for the hoist in an attempt to prevent theft of his ideas. Brunelleschi was granted the first modern patent for his invention of a river transport vessel. Brunelleschi kept his workers up in the building during their breaks and brought food and wine up to them. He felt the trip up and down the hundreds of stairs would exhaust them and reduce their productivity. In a further attempt to motivate the workers, he gave them diluted wine, similar to that given to pregnant women at the time." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filippo_Brunelleschi The Duomo, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Work was commenced in 1296 with the structure completed in 1436. Green, white and pink marble decorate the 19th century Gothic Revival façade. It, along with the the Baptistery and the Campanile, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AIMG_2987

The Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy is the largest Franciscan church in the world. It is known for its chapels decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his students as well as its tombs and cenotaphs. Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini are buried there. It was consecrated in 1442 and remodeled over the years. Galileo was tried by the Inquisition as a result of his writings about heliocentrism. He was forced to recant his views, and spent the remainder of his life under house arrest. Nevertheless, he was buried in Santa Croce. AIMG_3060

Florence, Italy AIMG_3032

The Duomo, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Work was commenced in 1296 with the structure completed in 1436. Green, white and pink marble decorate the 19th century Gothic Revival façade. It, along with the the Baptistery and the Campanile, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AIMG_2984

The Duomo, or Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, in Florence, Italy was built on the site of an earlier cathedral dedicated to Saint Reparata. Work was commenced in 1296 with the structure completed in 1436. Green, white and pink marble decorate the 19th century Gothic Revival façade. It, along with the the Baptistery and the Campanile, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. AIMG_2998

Although a bit off the beaten path, this Synagogue is in walking distance from the main attractions of Florence Italy and is well worth the effort. It was built between 1874 and 1882 and its exterior and stunning interior reflect the Sephardic style of Moorish Spain. It survived the German attempt to destroy it during World War II. AIMG_3076

The Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy is the largest Franciscan church in the world. It is known for its chapels decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his students as well as its tombs and cenotaphs. Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini are buried there. It was consecrated in 1442 and remodeled over the years. The 19th century facade was designed by Jewish architect, Niccolo Matas and features a Star of David. IMG_3101

Along the Arno River in Florence, Italy. This photograph was taken mere steps away from the one at www.flickr.com/photos/ejhrap/6799217671/in/photostream , yet the mood is completely different. AIMG_3008

Statues in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence, Italy. The Rape of the Sabine Women and Hercules and the Centaur (background) are 16th Century works by Giambologna. "The Rape of the Sabine Women is an episode in the legendary history of Rome in which the first generation of Roman men acquired wives for themselves from the neighboring Sabine families. The English word "rape" is a conventional translation of Latin raptio, which in this context means "abduction" rather than its prevalent modern meaning of sexual violation. " en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rape_of_the_Sabine_Women AIMG_3027

Florence, Italy AIMG_3016

The Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, Italy is the largest Franciscan church in the world. It is known for its chapels decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his students as well as its tombs and cenotaphs. Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli and Rossini are buried there. It was consecrated in 1442 and remodeled over the years. AIMG_3051

Put on your thinking caps. Can you come up with a creative caption for this photo? How often do you see a pigeon with a hangover perched upon an astounded gargoyle? Cold feet If I shut my eyes, I can imagine myself in Paris What's that dripping down my left ear? Shot in Florence, Italy AIMG_3087

Statute of Leonardo da Vinci in Florence, Italy outside the Uffizi gallery. AIMG_3021