The main objective of today was the Accademia to see the David. First stop was the Bascilica Di San Marco. Not sure when the church was built but the attached monastery was built in the 12th century. The Medicis did it up in the 15th century. Some monks still live in the complex but much of it is now a museum. The monks cells were simple but they all have a nice painting/frescoe in them. Savonarola was abbot here in the 1490s – preached against immorality, wealth etc and after the death of Lorenzo the Maginificient lead to the exile (temporarily) of the Medici from Florence. He was responsible for the original Bonfire of the Vanities – burning of books, jewels etc. As things happen, the wheel turned and he was excommunicated and eventually hung and burned in the Piazza della Signoria. Ah, those three years of Italian history at university still lurk in the brain!

From San Marco to the Academia. The David is certainly  more beautiful than the weather worn version in the PIazza. As I read somewhere it has luminosity! Some of the detail such as the veins in his arms and hands is quite incredible. There was also a great array of 14 – 15th century art which was beautiful but after our time in Fiesole it kind of suffers in comparison.

From the Accademia Ju went to the market at San Lorenzo, I popped into Santissima Annunziata. Have visited before. It has some wonderful hanging silver lamps (huge), but as I’ve said before they need a jolly good polish. Church just shutting as I arrived. So a quick peek and on the the Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Had heard it had a great chapel. Indeed it has – the Chapel of the Three Magi with stunning wall paintings copmleted 1459 – 61. You’ll have seen pictures of them in history books. Difficult to get good photos – so small and upward lighting. Sigh. Have a movie of it but its currently trapped on my new camera until I learn how to extract. Yes – decided to leap in as the old camera just isn’t working and I need a good zoom. Huzzah for the Sony cyber shot which fits in my pocket but has a magnificent zoom. Just have to read the instructions some time.

Met Ju for lunch in the Piazza deal Signoria then she wandered back to the hotel for a little rest and I went to the market then aambled back to the hotel. Needed to have a little rest if we’re to make it to midnight. Have now had dinner. Hotel got us a booking in a great little restaurant around the corner. We had to go in the 7 – 9 sitting. The 9:00 on sitting goes til 1:00 a.m with a multiplicity of courses which would be beyond us. Watched a couple consume huge hunks of meat. Don’t know how they do it. The had already had a pasta dish. Beautiful food and a wonderful waiter who gave Ju a hard time about not finishing her chicken, tiramisu and for not having a coffee! Hilarious.

Now we’re about to go out to the Piazza della S as there is a concert on there and then to watch fireworks up on the hill from the Arno. Currently at minus 1 so wrapping up is the order of the day.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!