Thursday was a "home day" so we did some more discovery of Florence this afternoon. We started at the Davanzati Palace - a wealthy merchant's home built in the 1330's. Florentines were transitioning from defensive tower houses to larger and more decorative homes during this period. Afterwards we walked through Dante's neighborhood and learned a little about Italy's greatest poet - writer of The Divine Comedy. He was banished from Florence because of his politics and spent the end of his life in Ravenna where he is buried. Florence wanted his body back since he had become so famous as a writer, but they said "no". Nevertheless, the city has honored him with an empty tomb in the Santa Croce church and a huge statue outside. The Santa Croce leather school is in the old monastery there and we took a look at the workshop and retail shop. Today was St. Reparata Day - she was a patron saint of Florence and the first church (ruins now visible under the Duomo) was named for her. Every year on her saint day (Oct.8) there is a parade of folks dressed in Renaissance costumes and a special commemoration service in the Duomo. It was interesting to see the bright costumes and dresses among the thousands of tourists in the streets. A beautiful day full of sunshine in our Tuscan "home"!
See all the photos at this link: https://plus.google.com/photos/106242844572593515289/albums/6203356767123303633/6203356876967828898?pid=6203356876967828898&oid=106242844572593515289
See all the photos at this link: https://plus.google.com/photos/106242844572593515289/albums/6203356767123303633/6203356876967828898?pid=6203356876967828898&oid=106242844572593515289
