Barcelona, Spain
you can see on the right the continuing project |
Gaudi also designed furniture |
I toured the aquarium and the pirate ship that was built for Roman Polanski’s film “Pirates.” I also went to the Biosphere but I do not think it is worth the 5 Euro charge. It is very small and takes about 5 minutes to go through the whole place.
the outside of the aquarium – it reminds me of containers |
Biosphere |
Some pictures around the city
notice the word on the top of this building |
Because I had a short stay there, my time was spent wandering the streets of Genoa, trying out different restaurants, and taking in as many sights as possible. I spent a lovely evening with my friends at their home and enjoyed a typical Genoa meal.
I am not sure exactly what part of law enforcement these people were but they walked all over the Port and the downtown area of Genoa.
Palazzo San Giorgio |
my friends |
Montepulciano is a walled hill town, built on a sloping and narrow limestone ridge. It is the largest hill town in Tuscany and is known for its impressive Central Square, beautiful renaissance buildings, churches, and fantastic views. Nobility used Montepulciano as a summer residence and each family tried to outdo the others with their homes.
I bought a lot of leather at that store |
The streets are narrow and steep. There is a bus you can take from outside the walls to the highest point in Montepulciano. It certainly saves on the legs. You need at least two days to explore all that this town has to offer.
I love these sculptures done by an unknown artist.
I couldn’t help myself! |
After seeing the Duomo from all sides and visiting the inside of the cathedral, all you need to do to complete the experience is climb to the top of the cupola!
Built by Filippo Brunelleschi who won the competition for its commission in 1418, the dome is egg-shaped and was made without scaffolding. The raising of this dome, the largest in the world in its time, was no easy architectural feat. One of the eight sides was finished by 1515, when someone asked Michelangelo – whose artistic opinion was by this time taken as cardinal law – what he thought of it. The master reportedly scoffed, “It looks like a cricket cage.” Work was immediately halted, and to this day, the other seven sides remain rough brick!
The only way to see the inside of the dome up close and enjoy the extraordinary view of Florence is to climb its 463 steps (there is no elevator): the route takes you by the interior of the dome where you can admire Giorgio Vasari‘s frescoes of the Last Judgment (1572-9) up close.”
I did not climb the 463 steps but my brother and sister did. I figured, why should all of us go, they could tell us what it was like so I volunteered to stay down and enjoy a little shopping and a well-deserved cappuccino.
view from the top |
my sister at the top |
My brother before the climb – tower behind him
fantastic artist |
Waterbus |
waterbus stop |
Rialto Bridge lined with wonderful shops |