SUSAN AND NORMAN IN TUSCANY, 2015


 
some amazing centuries-old woodwork



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In the kitchen. Unlike many other historic homes it is on the 3rd floor, not in the basement.



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some food preparation utensils



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in the 3rd floor bedroom. Charming wooden statue, curious fresco pattern.



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3rd floor bedroom.

Find out more about the Palazzo here




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The Baptistry, seen from the Bell tower. Built perhaps 11th century, or possibly older.



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The famous Baptistry Doors, by Ghiberti, depicting scenes from the Old Testament, though some are set in Florence.

(Actually copies, because the gold originals are in the Santa Maria di Fiore Museum which we wouldn't see this time because it's been closed for renovations. It won't be reopened until the Pope's visit in November. Sigh...)




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Inside the Baptistry, where I can't stop taking pictures because the surfaces of walls and floor and ceiling are so captivating, and the many galleries and windows and alcoves are so intriguing.



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I'd love to climb up into these galleries, which circle the interior



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very very old floor mosaics



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The inside of the dome. Stunning mosaic work, featuring themes of Angels, Old Testament scenes, life of Jesus, and much more.

Imagine creating these artworks without dropping more than a few hundred bits of stone and tile as you go....




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One of the 8 faces of the dome.



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Noah's Ark



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Angels abound



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Details of the gallery walls



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And then I notice these squares, all around the walls. They could make excellent quilt blocks.



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just a few examples of the many quilt blocks



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Giotto's Campanile, the Bell Tower



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And the bells. We were up here when the call to the 10:30 service began.



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