Relic-o-mania

I admit that I am sort of obsessed with bones and other sacred relics collected and put on display by the Catholic Church.  If you are, too, take a look below. If not, come back another day.

Saint Francis of Assisi garment

(jk)

Medici

If there is any one person or small group that had the most impact on history, it is the Medici family, who controlled Florence for 300 years and practically single-handedly envisioned and financed the Renaissance in art and architecture. And their hands are all over this place still.

The Medici “reign” was a classic rags to riches story. They were not royals, but in 1397, the patriarch Giovanni, born a commoner, founded the Medici Bank, which soon became the bank of the Roman Catholic Church. He was followed by his son, Cosimo, who was at the core of the family’s power, influence and growth. 

This is Cosimo’s tomb. In the ultimate symbolic gesture, he designed it to be under the old sacristy of San Lorenzo basilica, where his family worshipped. Its ceiling literally supports the church floor above, where all the sacred objects such as the chalice and the sacrament were stored and prepared. The open circles above the tomb shed light from the sacristy into the tomb.

Although they had many homes, the Medici lived here in Pitti palace, where they could view the city they were building from across the Arno River. They had built a one kilometer enclosed bridge (the Vasari corridor) from the palace to the city offices (uffizi) across the river so they walk back and forth without mingling with the people or sewage below.

The palace is filled with grand rooms and magnificent artwork. Every corner is beautifully decorated.

The view from the top of the palace gardens overlooking the Tuscany countryside.

The view in the other direction across the Arno.

This is Nano Morgante, one of several dwarfs who worked for the Medici in a sort of jester role. The Medicis had several artworks made of the dwarfs and family members.

My favorite part of the palace is this artificial grotto made of items imported from the sea, including shells, coral and sponges.

It served as a spa of sorts and a place to cool off in running waters during the hot summer months.

More posts to come about Medici commissioned art and architecture, churches, tombs, gardens and relics. Time to explore more of the city…