Bologna

It was a snowy day in Bologna.  Our group stopped to spend a few hours in Bologna on our way to Venice, and I fell in love with this quaint town.  All of the streets were arcaded, and it was especially nice to have the additional protection from the elements.  It was here that I saw my first Carlo Scarpa building shown below. 

We spent a nice few hours walking around the city, and drinking cappuccino in the bar. Here are some more images of the streets of Bologna. 

Firenze

At 9:40 am we departed from Roma Termini Station and arrived in Florence shortly after eleven.  After checking into Hotel Giada (a beautiful hotel right around the corner from San Lorenzo) we went straight to the Laurentian Library designed by Michelangelo.  Here is an image of the courtyard outside of the library. This courtyard is surrounded by the monastery which was used for San Lorenzo which is adjacent to it.

Below is an image of the interior of the Laurentian Library.  This library was used by the Medici family in Florence, and designed by Michelangelo.  It is designed in the Mannerist style which plays with Classical elements.

Despite the rainy weather, we were able to go to the Piazza della Santissima Annuziata.  Shown below is the Ospedale degli Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents) which was originally designed by Filippo Brunelleschi as a children's orphanage. 

In the center of Florence lies Santa Maria del Fiore.  This is the most ornate church I have ever seen.  When seeing it for the first time, every single one of our mouths fell,  pictures just do not do this building justice.  The detailing is spectacular and this Church was the highlight of my visit in Florence. 

Climbing up Brunelleschi's dome was quite the challenge! We climbed the stairs in between the two layers of masonry and upon reaching the top had the most beautiful view of Florence below. 

In front of Santa Maria del Fiore sits the Battistero di San Giovanni or Baptistery of Saint John.  The North doors facing the church seen below were designed by Lorenzo Ghiberti.  They contain 28 panels that tell the story of the Old Testiment. 

Although I do not have pictures, we also had the opportunity to go into the Church and Old Sacristy of San Lorenzo. (Brunelleschi)  On the opposite end of the church is the New Sacristy designed by Michelangelo.   Later that evening we went to the Galleria dell'Academia and it was there that I saw "The David" by Michelangelo.  What an amazing statue!  We studied the Palazzo Strozzi shown below for a short while before heading into the Uffici Gallery.  This gallery houses some of the greatest artwork in the world, including pieces done by Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raffaello, Bellini, Botticelli, etc.  

A group dinner was held at Trattoria Bordino on Via Stracciatella, where I had my first Fiorentine Steak.    Delicious steak, salad, potatoes, wine, and even a creame caramel desert made quite the ending to our time in Florence.  It was a great two days, despite my developing cold.  I went to the Farmachia and got some medicine, and after dinner I was exhausted and slept the best I have in a while. 

Busy Week in Rome

It’s been a busy week in Rome!  On Tuesday morning, our history class began with the Field of Mars, or Campus Marshus.  This happens to be where Julius Caesar was assassinated, and it also happens to be where our studio is located.  The Campus Martius contained several important buildings; studio is in the location where the Theatre of Pompeii once sat.  These ruins we walk by every day sit in the center of Rome and were Republican Temples in the 2^nd-3^rd Cent. BCE that Pompei incorporated into his Theatre Complex.  

Here is the Ara Pacis Museum designed by Richard Meier.  This is one of the only contemporary structures in Rome since Mussolini’s regime, and has caused some controversy amongst the city.

I know I mention Piazza Navona quite often, but this elegant horseshoe piazza was once built for athletic competitions.  Piazza Navona is built on the foundations of the Stadium of Domitian.

And again with the Pantheon, although I acknowledge that no photo can do this building justice.  At one time this dome was a great symbol of power, and the oculus as a single light source expresses the single power of the emperor.  The inter-columnar space in this structure is much too large for the Romans.  Take note that the 2^nd pediment line at the top fits the rotunda.  60-foot columns are too small, and the Pantheon was most likely designed for larger columns from Egypt.  Theory is that when Hadrian could not get the right sized columns, it was easier to build a new pediment, than wait the years it would take to get columns to the correct size. 

Column of Marcus Aurelis.  This column depicts victory against the barbarians.   Images are gruesome and violent.

I’m sure you can tell that I love this history class.  It is so awesome to learn from the actual buildings and be able to see everything in person as we learn.  It is certainly not the way I am used to learning history! With our entrance to the Roman Forum we also were allowed 24 hours to see the Colloseum interior on our own time.  Ryan, Sarah, George, Steph, Dan, Hillary and Andrew and I went on Tuesday after history and were in absolute awe of the inside of this massive stadium.

On Friday morning Vyt, Marina, and the rest of us went to see the Michelangelo Exhibit at the museum on the Campidoglio.  Seeing some of the architectural drawings of Michelangelo was mind blowing.  My favorite of his works were a series of elevation studies. Here is me with the foot of the statue of Constantine. 

Part of the Temple of Jupiter has been excavated and lies in the museum.  Here is the base of what was once the most sacred temple in Ancient Rome.

This weekend has been spent mostly in studio, drawing plans, sections, and details of the Campidoglio for my Urban Analysis.  Sarah, Ryan and I went to a new place for dinner; pizza, and tiramisu= great Saturday night!