Palazzo Vecchio and climing the Duomo

This week started out slowly with classes and not much else! Luckily, I've been enjoying my classes a lot, especially the ones I'm taking at CAPA because they are taught by two of the most interesting professors I've ever had. I can definitely say I'm learning so much about Italian history, language, and culture both in and outside the classroom, but unfortunately, it's not all positive. There are many delusions that were quickly shattered after a month of being in Florence, and this caused major culture-shock and homesickness. Thankfully, after 3 weeks, I no longer feel like a complete stranger/tourist and I feel like this can definitely be a temporary home!

Although I'm starting to feel like a resident, there are still a million touristy things to do in Firenze and one of those is walking through Palazzo Vecchio. Gather 'round kids, it's history lesson time!
Located in Piazza dell Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio is the fortress town-hall that was built in the 14th century (with further additions and changes in the 15th), in order to further protect the magistrates and important representatives of Florence's government. The most important family that resided in the Palazzo was probably the Medici family, a family of influential, wealthy bankers who rose to power in politics. They are known for their vast collections of art, statues, etc which were donated to the Tuscan state by Anna Maria Luisa de Medici, the last of the Medici line. While Duke Cosimo I lived in the Palazzo, it was called the Palazzo Ducale, but after he moved residence to Palazzo Pitti which is across the river, it was renamed the "Old Palace."

 The fortress was absolutely amazing; and to think that it had been used for centuries by the most powerful residents of Florence was even more astonishing. After checking out the courtyard decorated by Michelozzo, Tylar and I walked upstairs to the Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of Five Hundred), a massive room that was used for meetings held by Florence's rulers; the walls and ceiling are decorated with HUGE paintings by Vasari (and his assistants) all showing Florence's military triumphs over Pisa and Siena done in the mannerism style. It was probably the most impressive hall I'll ever see in my life!

The museum portion of Palazzo Vecchio includes many of the apartments of the Medici family and other beautifully decorated rooms. My favorite room was probably the Hall of Lillies, a room covered in the gold Florentine fleur-de-lys on a rich blue background... Maybe it was my favorite because it reminded me of Pitt! The decoration of this room, attached to the Chapel of the Signoria, signified the brief but good relations between the French crown and Florence. Another of my favorite rooms was the Stanza del Guardaroba, also called the Hall of Geographical Maps, because of the 53 amazing maps, all drawn in the 16th century, that surround a large bronze globe. It is certainly mind-blowing to think about how much cartographers knew about the world in the 16th century!

Even though we were exhausted after the walk through Palazzo Vecchio, we decided that because the day was so picturesque, we should take advantage and walk up the Duomo. And so, after about a month of being in Florence, I finally stepped into the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore... It is a very beautiful church decorated in the bare style of the Renaissance, which was somewhat underwhelming after seeing some of the more heavily decorated churches in Bologna. After a quick look around the church, we decided to make the climb in the Duomo... 463 steps for a fantastic view of Florence, the surrounding countryside, and snow capped mountains in the distance!