I know this is complicated, but I will get current at some point.
Spencer and Abbie had made plans to rent a Vespa this morning and take a trip into the Chianti region of Tuscany. They had found many small castle towns in the hills south and east of Florence. As a father I tried to talk them out of this activity but I was glad they stuck to what they wanted to do. Off they went on their adventure and I was on to my own adventures.
I decided to stop by the Santa Marie Novella Cathedral because the sun was shinning. I was now able to see the shadow cast by the iron circles hung on the wall. It seems that with or without the sun I can’t figure out what is going on here.
I also noticed there was some additional math going on the reverse side of the Sun Dial I had shared a few days ago. Another intellectual mystery to me but I did get a response from a friend with a link to an explanation I have not been able get to yet.
Now for some Da Vinci Code stuff.
Inside the Church there are two brass rails embedded into the stone floor. Below is a photo of the shorter of the two rails. The center point on the rail seems to be directly below a hook in the ceiling that a pendulum could be hung from. I think I remember something from grade school about this being a demonstration of rotation of the earth or something similar.
Following is a photo of both lines in the floor. The shorter on the right and the longer rail on the left.
This is the center of the long rail and seems to be measuring astrological seasons. Possibly from a shadow I was not seeing as it was now overcast at the moment.
A photo of the beginning of the long rail and my toes.
Just a perspective to show the long rail does not match up with the orientation exactly of the church.
I wanted to include a few images of the incredible interior of this Cathedral.
Some of the stained glass…
This in the Vestry where the Priests get dressed and prepared for the service. As I looked at this I had some thoughts about improving my wine cellar. I have been thinking some additional cabinetry would be useful. With enough beer and enough neighbors I think we could put something like this under the house.
No doubt this would be the crowning glory. Red and white wine on tap in the wine cellar. Volunteers can contact me to schedule there time.
Next on my list was the Bargello Museum, The National Museum of Italy. This is a shot of the interior of the building. Most of the large structures are built in this style with an open interior court so that all rooms get sunlight. The stones hanging on the walls are family and guild crests from through out history.
The Bargello is full of sculpture that would fill up all of our computers but this one spoke to me. This reminded me of when Sally or I would whisper to the other “I think the kids are home early!!”
This is one of the many beautiful Madonna and Child pieces.
David…
This was one of Michelangelo’s first sculptures. There is a maximum relief of 1/2 inch from tip of the toe of Jesus to the flat background. A lot is communicated in 1/2 inch.
I have included the image below because the Bargello was built before sheets of glass were used for windows. This glass circles had a very delicate and subtle coloring to them.
I also went to the Galileo Museum but they were a little fussy about photography. Maybe they were afraid someone would reinvent some of his work.
Spencer and Abbie put 130 miles on a Vespa, saw some incredible scenery and returned safely. A success all around.
This had been the evening scheduled as Bistecca night. We went to a restaurant where Spencer and I had had a delicious Bistecca Alla Fiorentina (Beef Steak prepared in the Manner of the Florentines) two years ago. It was still good.
We started with a spinach flan floating in a white truffle cream sauce with a poached egg on top. After pictures the egg was sliced and yoke flowed down over the Flan. We also had a Tuscan fruit, nut and cheese plate as antipasta.
When the Bistecca was presented we all started eating so quickly we forgot the picture. The 1.6 kilo piece of meat was delivered with a side of Tuscan white beans and a Caprese Salad.
The waiter shamed Spencer into finishing the last piece. Something about no Italian man would leave that piece of meat on the plate.
We finished the meal and the day with a splash of Lemoncello. A great day!!