For almost 300 years the Medici family was one of the most powerful in Florence. Today we visited the palace that Cosimo the Elder built in 1444, the Duomo where Giuliano was murdered and the chapel where they're all buried. We started in reverse order at what I irreverently call "the funeral parlor". In the Medici Chapel we were awed at the extravagance of the marble-clad floors and walls and the impressive tombs. Michelangelo's work was on display in the new (1500's) part of the chapel where he designed the architecture as well as sculpted the figures on the tombs. Next we went into the expansive Florence cathedral (duomo) that was begun in 1296 and took 175 years to completely finish. The huge dome was the first of its size to be designed and built - quite an engineering feat in the 1400's. The visit to the Medici palace was interesting as we viewed the rooms, garden and courtyard but the real treasure was the chapel with its beautiful fresco covered walls. Back at La Contessina we enjoyed our courtyard "wine down" then we went out for a wonderful dinner at "The Porcupine". Another good day with good friends in a good place!
