Piazzale Michelangelo |
From the beautiful terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo
it is possible to admire one of the most impressive views of Florence
nestling in the Arno valley, surrounded by gently sloping hills.
In the centre of the square stands the Monuments to Michelangelo
(1875) with a bronze reproduction of the four statues depicting
Day, Night, Dawn and Dusk, dominated by the statue of David.
On the hill behind Piazzale Michelangelo stands the Church of San
Miniato al Monte.
Belvedere Michelangelo |
This church, is a nearly perfect specimen of Romanesque architecture.
It was begun in 1013, and its marble façade uses alternations
of green and white. The interior is medieval with a few hints of
the Renaissance era, and its floor is covered with zodiac symbols.
Art includes works by della Robbia, Michelozzo and Aretino. Other
ancient churches in this area are San Salvatore al Monte and San
Niccolò Oltr’Arno.
Piazza Demidoff |
The first one, was conceived and carried out by Simone dal Pollaiolo,
nicknamed "il Cronaca" (the chronicle) in 1500. At first,
there was a small church, consecrated to the Saints Cosma and Damian,
that today is only represented by a big chapel. The guild of Calimala
was responsible of the building and its eagle is visible on the
pediment. Inside there is only a nave, as the franciscan churches
use to be.Important works inside is the “Deposition”,
in terracotta by Giovanni della Robbia.
Palazzo Serristori |
The pretty Via San Niccolò leads to the church of San Niccolò
oltr’Arno, and then comes out at the Porta San Niccolò,
dated 1324. The Church of San Niccolò became a parish church
in 1375 and it was later rebuilt in the Gothic style.The interior
has a single nave with a trussed ceiling, and three chapels in the
presbytery. The wooden crucifixion of the second altar is attributed
to Michelozzo. Near Piazzale Michelangelo is located another interesting
square:
Palazzo Mozzi |
Piazza Demidoff. This square is devoted to the
russian Nikolaj Demidoff, that was Ambassador of Florence between
1820 and 1828. In that period, Demidoff was very active in charity.
In 1870 the monument in the square, featuring the noble Demidoff,
was given to the Florentines from his heirs. In Belvedere Michelangelo
area there are two ancient palaces: Palazzo Serristori and Palazzo
Mozzi.
Museo Bardini |
Palazzo Serristori was built by Giulio Parigi,
an architect who worked on the Pitti Palace for the Medici family,
and who repeated the mediaeval leitmotiv of the projecting consoles
that can be seen on the buildings beside it, between the ground
and the first floors. Palazzo Mozzi was built during
the 13th century and its appearance looks like the one of a fortress.
The Mozzi family was a famous family of Florence and in that Palace
they housed many important heroes of the time, including Pope Gregory
X. The interesting Museo Bardini, includes works
by Tiepolo, della Robbia, Donatello and Tino da Camaino and is located
in a palace bought in 1880 by Stefano Bardini to house his art collections
of sculptures, paintings and tapestries. In 1922, at Bardini’s
death, the Museum was given to the Florentines.
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