Thursday, March 26, 2015

Orsanmichele

3/11/15

Day 55
I've been meaning to go to Orsanmichele and thank god for art history because it drags my lazy butt to all the places I want to go but don't. Anyway, today was Orsanmichele and I was surprised that I recognized the building. I've been admiring it for awhile, I just didn't know what it was.
The outside has these sculptures of saints in little niches in the wall that were carved by all the important people (Like Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, and Ghirlandaio). Apparently they were commissioned by all the guilds (unions) when the church/grain market had its open walls (it was a loggia) filled in. My favorite niche was Four Crowned Saints by Nanni di Banco. 
There's also a skywalk connecting Orsanmichele to the neighboring building.
We asked if its possible to walk on it and it is! The museum is free and it's only open on Mondays which is perfect because that's the day I don't have classes! (Well, I have one in the morning) As much as I was initially scared of art history, it turned out to be a great class. Hearing the history from our professor while standing inside and looking at the  Madonna and Child by Daddi was the full experience. 
It was also nice to see more of Florence since now I've been here for an embarrassingly long time without knowing every dark corner and side street by heart. Actually, I haven't even climbed the Duomo!

After class, I couldn't procrastinate any more on writing an essay that I think I was already a little late to turn in. So that's what I did with my night. 

No comments:

Post a Comment