I had to leave 4F today and unfortunately Francesco and Lynda were not able to meet me for breakfast. I finished packing, took the bus back to my apartment and walked to class at 11am. The school, Parola, scheduled one of their cultural activates today at 2pm to Santa Maria Novella. After class, at 1pm, I went to a favorite panini place on Piazza Santa Croce and met the school’s owner, Simone, for our walk. He also mentioned a trip they are doing a week from Saturday to Viareggio on the Mediterranean – I told him I was going to Tonfano (close to Viareggio) tomorrow, Friday, for lunch with N&M – and he knows Bagno Zara where we will eat – he has a beach house in Tonfano also.
As mentioned earlier, it has been hot, close to 90° today, but the church is beautiful. The main train station is called Santa Maria Novella as it’s very close by, and Simone gave a great historical overview of the church, its interior, architects, and artists. One major fresco was an early approach to perspective while most of the paintings and frescos are flat without perspective. The reason this fresco has survived so long is that a tomb had been placed in front of it for centuries and it was finally uncovered. He noted that the train station was bombed during WWII and the stained-glass windows at the back of the altar are all replacements.
I was drinking water but feeling hot and parched and chose to leave our tour and take a taxi back to the apartment – good decision. I sat and read for a while, enjoying the air conditioning, finally got it in gear to put in a wash, and now I’m simply sitting at my desk and writing this. Ah!
Photos Santa Maria Novella: https://photos.app.goo.gl/J75WU5j3Nm9umwSN6
As mentioned earlier, it has been hot, close to 90° today, but the church is beautiful. The main train station is called Santa Maria Novella as it’s very close by, and Simone gave a great historical overview of the church, its interior, architects, and artists. One major fresco was an early approach to perspective while most of the paintings and frescos are flat without perspective. The reason this fresco has survived so long is that a tomb had been placed in front of it for centuries and it was finally uncovered. He noted that the train station was bombed during WWII and the stained-glass windows at the back of the altar are all replacements.
I was drinking water but feeling hot and parched and chose to leave our tour and take a taxi back to the apartment – good decision. I sat and read for a while, enjoying the air conditioning, finally got it in gear to put in a wash, and now I’m simply sitting at my desk and writing this. Ah!
Photos Santa Maria Novella: https://photos.app.goo.gl/J75WU5j3Nm9umwSN6