City Breaks

Florence Episode 17 The Uffizi

Florence Episode 17 The Uffizi

This episode is devoted to the Uffizi, Florence's world-famous art gallery, offering a short history of the gallery and an overview of its treasures. The main focus is then on a number of highlights by Italian painters, such as the three glorious Madonnas (by Ducio, Cimabue and Giotto respectively) displayed together in the first main room plus, of course, Botticelli's Primavera and The Birth of Venus. Mention is also made of a well-known double portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Urbino by Piero della Francesca and in each case the descriptions are supplemented by useful background information.

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Florence Episode 16 Michelangelo

Florence Episode 16 Michelangelo

Of course, Michelangelo deserves an episode to himself and this is it. First, hear about the museums which display his work, including the Bargello and the Accademia. Then, there's a brief biography, focussing particularly on his Florence connections, especially his time as a youngster under the care and sponsorship of Lorenzo il Magnifico. Despite a long period working in Rome, Michelangelo took care to leave instructions that after his death his body should be returned to his home city for a funeral and burial in Santa Croce. Florence is still proud to be 'the birthplace of this divinely endowed spirit'.

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Florence Episode 15 San Marco

Florence Episode 15 San Marco

Perhaps one of Florence's lesser-known pleasures, San Marco's tranquil atmosphere and beautiful frescos are a delight. Hear a brief history of the building, including its connections to Cosimo de Medici and the 'mad monk' Savonarola, both of whose rooms you can visit. Find out too about the 43 monks' cells, each with their own fresco, the Pilgrim's Hospice and the Library, originally commissioned by Cosimo di Medici and today housing displays of medieval illuminated manuscripts. Lastly, there is information on the monastery's two most famous artists - Fra Angelico and Bartolomeo – and on the works they left behind them here at San Marco.

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Florence Episode 14 Galileo

Florence Episode 14 Galileo

Amid all the art and culture in Florence, it’s important to remember that the city also has a special place in the history of science, most notably as the home of Galileo.  This episode begins with a biography, including his links to the Medici family, his main work and his controversial dispute with the catholic church, whose doctrine was in direct opposition to Galileo’s teaching.  Hear about the resulting trial and sentence, and find out about the places in Florence today where Galileo is remembered, notably at his tomb in Santa Croce and at the Science Museum named after him. 

Florence Episode 13 The Palazzo Pitti

Florence Episode 13 The Palazzo Pitti

Hear how the Medicis lorded it over the Pittis by buying up the grand palace which the latter could no longer afford. There are brief biographies of various Medici, some who patronised the arts and sciences and others who murdered each other to ensure their own succession. Find out which one was the 'the spendthrift cardinal' and which one was said to have 'passed his brief life between luncheons, receptions and literary or scientific debates.' Finally, hear about the most noteworthy things to look out for at the Palazzo, such as the Boboli Gardens, and paintings by Raphael and Titian.

Florence Episode 12 Machiavelli

Florence Episode 12 Machiavelli

This episode takes time out from visiting the sights of Florence in order to get to know more about one of the city's most famous inhabitants: Nicolo Machiavelli, one-time Secretary to the Council of Florence, but much better known to us for his writings.  Hear about his life at the centre of Florence's politics, his banishment to the countryside when he fell out of favour and the writing he left behind, from 'perhaps the most famous letter ever written in Italian' to his advice to a former boss on how to succeed politically, written up in 'The Prince'.   

Florence Episode 11 The Palazzo Vecchio

Florence Episode 11 The Palazzo Vecchio

Find out why Duke Cosimo di Medici moved his family into the Palazzo Vecchio, the building which was originally his office, and how he and his Spanish wife Eleonora di Toledo made it both a symbol of the power of the Medici family and a comfortable home for themselves and their numerous children.  Hear too how Machiavelli worked from here and about some of the unfortunates who were imprisoned in the Torre di Arnolfo, the high crenellated tower which rises above the Palazzo and can be seen from all over Florence.

Florence Episode 10 Piazza della Signoria

Florence Episode 10 Piazza della Signoria

First, find out about some of the historical events which took place in the Piazza della Signoria across the centuries, then hear about the main works of art to be found there.  The final section tells the story of the 15th century mad monk Girolamo Savonarola, whose fiery preaching persuaded the citizens of Florence to burn most of their precious possessions in a grand 'bonfire of the vanities' here on the square.

 

Florence Episode 09 Around San Lorenzo

Florence Episode 09 Around San Lorenzo

Staying near San Lorenzo church, first a visit to the Laurentian Library, with its Michelangelo staircase and reading room, plus a magnificent collection of ancient books and manuscripts.  Next, we take in the nearby Medici Chapel, where over 50 family members are buried, some of them in the splendidly over-decorated mausoleuim on the upper floor.  And to finish, a biography of perhaps the best-known Medici of them all, Lorenzo il Magnifico.

Florence Episode 08 San Lorenzo

Florence Episode 08 San Lorenzo

A description of the San Lorenzo district in medieval times, plus a visit to the Medici family church, famous for its artwork, especially the two pulpits by Donatello, who is buried here alongside his friend and sponsor, Cosimo di Medici.  Biographies of both men conclude the episode.