Trip to Florence
The trip to Florence was the first overnight trip for the students. From June 6th to the 7th, the Volterra-Detroit group explored the city of Florence with Professor Wladyk. The first day was packed with activities including visiting the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, Opera del Duomo Museum, and climbing the Bell Tower. The second day was spent inside the Gallerie Deglie Uffizi and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Afterwards students were encouraged to do some exploring of their own.
After traveling from Volterra to Florence, the students made their way to the Basilica of Santa Croce. The Basilica is an important piece of architecture in Florence, as one of the best examples of Gothic architecture. The exterior is made of marble and features intricate patterns that create a distinct ornate appearance. Inside, the Basilica is a sight to behold. With high vaulted ceilings and pointed arches, it creates a vast space that gives focus to the altar at the end of the central nave. The main altar is set beneath a polyptych depicting the life of Mary and Jesus and a hanging cross of Jesus. The students were focused on the historical architectural significance and recognizing the different elements that make it a Gothic style building.
The Opera Del Duomo Museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying the works created for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It is located adjacent to the Florence Cathedral complex and inside a historic building that was once a workshop for the Duomo. Inside, there is an impressive collection of sculptures by famous artists including Michalengelo. Donatello, and Lorenzo Ghiberti. The museum displays several models that were used by architects to design the Cathedral and its associated structures. These models gave the students a chance to understand the design and construction process of the dome to the Cathedral. Other artworks include paintings, tapestries and mosaics. Inside the museum is the original Door to Heaven and a life size scale of the entrance to the Cathedral with the original sculptures in their places.
After visiting the museum, students got the climb the tall bell tower that is a part of the Cathedral. The tower stands at around 278 feet tall and has amazing views of the city. The students climbed the 414 steps to the top of the tower and got to take photos with the stunning view.
Day two started with a visit to the Gallerie Deglie Uffizi. This is one of the most famous art museums in the world. The U-shaped structure features pieces from the Renaissance period, including; Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera”; Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Annunciation” and “Adoration of the Magi”; Michelangelo’s “Doni Tondo”; Raphael’s “Madonna of the Goldfinch”; and Titian’s “Venus of Urbino”. From the Medieval to Baroque period, many works by Giotto, Caravaggio, and Artemisia Gentileschi are featured. There is a large collection of sculptures and drawings also featured inside. The students enjoyed getting to see in person, the many art pieces that they studied in school.
The last stop was to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Cathedral is famous for its remarkable Dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi which remains the largest masonry dome ever built. The exterior is made of intricate polychrome marble panels and includes decorative elements such as sculptures and carvings. Compared to the exterior, the inside is vast and much less decorated. Its floor features intricate marble designs and it has a large collection of stained glass windows including ones designed by Donatello. Underneath the Cathedral is the crypt, which gives a glimpse of the early Christian history and origins of the Cathedral. Inside the crypt reveals the remains of the earlier church of Santa Reparata which was the Cathedral before Santa Maria del Fiore. Its excavations include medieval graves, remains from Roman times, and a mosaic floor. The greatest piece inside the crypt is the tomb of Filippo Brunelleschi who designed the dome of the Cathedral.
Overall, the trip to Florence was educational, exciting, and a lot of fun. The vast collection of artworks and architecture was important for the students to be able to see because it allowed them to see up close the artworks and architecture that they had studied in school before coming to Italy.
