Activity Review: Roman Guy David and Walking Tour
For one of my two free days, I figured I had to see at least one of the famous Florence sights! I went on a Roman walking tour and saw the David!
How?
For this tour, it was recommended by my parents via their Italy travel forum. Plus, I have seen their other tours in Rome and it looked like one of the better ones! In Florence, this company has many options, including one over the Uffezzi gallery and a full day tour over both Uffezzi and David. For me, it came down to David was available and it was in my price range!
The Meet
Promptly at 11am, we met at San Marco Square. It is a close 10 minute walk from the S.M.N train station where I just dropped off my parents for their train to Rome! True to the style, I was given a very fashionable headset and sent on my merry way!
Florence’s History
Dating back to the medieval ages, Florence has been supporting the arts. This is due to two important industries: textile and banking. These two industries help fund the magnificent pieces of art throughout the city. One of the important families in Florence is Medici family. Throughout the middle ages, the Medici family ruled Florence and was a major player in European politics.
In Florence, Medici are often credited with most of the Florence Renaissance in the 1400-1500s. As my guide, Kaira explained, art was the social media or internet back in the day! For most people, it was the best form of advertisement or seeing the local’s stature or reputation.
Behold, the Abduction
As soon as we got through security, we walked into the hallowed halls of the Academy. Immediately, we stumbled onto the Abduction. It is a stunning piece of artwork with beautifully sculptured bodies.
Although it appeared to be made of marble, it is actually made of plaster! Our guide explained it is the only plaster piece in the museum. The Academia keeps this plaster piece front and center to remind people that this is a school, rather than just a museum. It is to inspire students that great pieces of art require practice and this plaster piece is stage two before recreating on a piece of marble.
The Pope Project
As one enters the majestic hall ending in the David, we are met with 8 unfinished pieces of work. Our guide paused in the middle of these pieces to show us a little history of Michelangelo. He lived between 1450-1550 and died at the very old age of 89! They say he died sculpting!
In his time, Michelangelo was extremely frugal despite his enormous wealth. He is very famous for loving money, but hating to spending money. Therefore, he had more projects than he could probably handle!
One of the projects was for Pope Julius II who wanted him to sculpt 40 Biblical statues for his grand tomb. Unfortunately for the Pope, there was a lot of drama and money shortages (and Michelangelo loved money!). In the end, Michelangelo somewhat started 8 statues… that he didn’t finish!
The Prisoners
Although not complete, these statues remind the world of his style. First, Michelangelo viewed huge blocks as trapping innocent people in a prison. Hence why each person is appearing twisted and hunched as they are trying to escape the marble prison!
Next, we can see his sculpting style. Michelangelo starts at the very front and works his way to the back rather than working on an individual sections (i.e. arm, leg, etc). He wanted to free the prisoners from the marble prison!
The Grand Masterpiece - The David
Finally, after much waiting, we finally went to the David!
History of the David
Rejected, broken, and discarded, the David project began in turmoil. Two other artists had tried to tackle the infamously tall, cracked, and thin marble, but they had given up. Meant for the famous Florence cathedral, it was suppose to represent a new age of Florence after they had kicked out the Medici family in 1500s for a brief time period.
To the rescue, Michelangelo wanted to help the Republic of Florence. However, he did not have his chosen marble and had to work with a secondhand piece. For two years, he worked away in the quiet, hidden away from the world. Suddenly, he revealed his masterpiece.
The David
Wow. I mean most pieces of art are a major disappointment - I see you Mona Lisa! However, David is the exact opposite! Over 18 feet high, the David is spectacular! I am very impressed!
For the people of Florence, they were shocked that a very large naked man was suppose to go on the top of the cathedral. For us modern day folks, it is wonderful and beautiful. Each detail is wonderful and shown at the highest level. Unlike others, David is a moving body with each detail representing the actual act. Blood flowing through the views, leaning on the right knee, and the stare out into the distance.
After Michelangelo revealed David, it was met with shock, then cheer! It was very bold and rebellious and represented the new Republic very well! They were defying the Pope in Rome and showing how it was done in Florence!
The Music Museum
Surprisingly, there are other pieces of the museum such as music instruments, other medieval artwork, and plaster sculptures. I went for the famous Strada voilins and violas in the musical instrument exhibit. Yepp, as cool as I thought it would be!
The Duomo
After the David, our first stop is the giant Doumo in the heart of Florence. Pictures do not do it any justice! It is remarkable! My guide told us some pretty amusing stories about this great piece of work!
Started in the 1200s, the first builders constructed a big base because they knew they didn’t have to deal with the dome. Then, finally, in the 1400s, they had to build the dome… Florence searched long and hard for a person until WWHOOOO stepped forward with a master plan. All in his head…
Because they were desperate, they hired him! After a long time, the dome was finally complete! To ensure it was never replicated, he burned the blueprints. Nowadays, it is one of the largest domes in the world next to St Peters in Rome and St Pauls in London.
The Front Exterior
In the front of the church, we gazed at the beautiful details and various statues that align the entrance. Our guide explained that these pieces are not actually from the 1400s. Rather, it is from the 1800s so the Florentines hate it! Of course!
Opposite of the front doors is the baptism, built in the 1200s. Back in the middle ages, one could not enter a church until you were baptised. On this front door is a replica of the real front door that is covered in gold. The door depicts various stories from the Bible and was really the only source for the illiterate peasants. Nowadays, the baptism is used once a month and is just a beautiful structure.
Tip: The original spot for the David is on one of the pedestals - see if you can spot it!
Dante’s Italian
For our next spot, we went to Dante’s tower. While famous for the Don Q, he was actually a very unpopular writer and politican to the point that Florence exiled him! Through his great work, the language of Italian was born! He rebelled against the usual written word of Latin and founded Italian. Even though Florence exiled him, they still love to claim him!
Gelato Break
For a quick 10 minute break, we stopped at the popular Perche No! The guide said it is one of her favorite spots so it turns out I know my gelato! I also learned the real meaning of Perche No - it means why not! It is rather perfect for my gelato attitude! I ordered a great chocolate and bacio which is a hazelnut.
Piazza Vecchio
In this famous piazza, we learned the history of the powerful Medici family. Well, an abbreviated version! When the Medici took back Florence through Cosmo, he was young and very powerful. To dissuade his opponents, he had all their heads cut off. Then, he put a statue of the dude who cut off Medusa’s head to send a message to anyone who stood against him.
Next, as a very humble man, most of the statues have his face on it. I guess he was worried that people would forget what he looked like! Perhaps this would have been due to his wife building a walkway to cross from the government building to his new palace across the river - all without stepping foot in Florence or seeing the commoners! This walkway is visible across the Ponte Vecchio and throughout the city and along the river.
Ponte Vecchio
Known as the old bridge, it is in fact the oldest bridge in Florence. Most of the other bridges were destroyed in WW2 to prevent the Allies from racing through Italy. However, before they blew up this bridge, they realized the shallow waters would mean all the houses and walkway would create an even better bridge. So, they left it!
During Cosmo’s time, the bridge also held a meat and fish market. This interfered with his new walkway because it produced horrific smells. Thus, he created a law that said only jewelry could be sold on the bridge. He wanted to walked across gold!
The UnChartered Summary
Overall, I found the tour to be well worth the time and price of $80. Kaitra provided great commentary on the topics and was very amusing throughout our walks in the city. She was very fun!
- Similar to other very popular attractions, I definitely recommend buying in advance as tickets will sell out.
- While the David does not need a guide to see it, I found the commentary to be very interesting especially over his history and Michelangelo's other pieces.
- In the David museum, it is the hall of guides. I could not move without interfering with a guide. If you can’t beat them, join them (and learn some fun facts!)
- If you can only chose one artsy thing to do in Florence, the David is awesome. Similar to the students in the 1400s, the statue is very inspiring!