Author: econdupe

Italy 2018 Part I

Orvieto was our first stop – the Duomo di Orvieto; Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta
Detail of the facade of the duomo
Orvieto is an Umbrian hill town – this is a view of the town from our hotel
Typical street scene in Orvieto
Looking down into St. Patrick’s Well (Pozzo di San Patrizio), built by order of Pope Clement VII. He took refuge in Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527 (by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) – Clement thought that the water supply would be inadequate if there was a siege
Looking up from the bottom of the well. It is 174 feet deep, with 248 steps in two circular staircases (one for descending, one for ascending)
One interesting thing about Orvieto is that there is a vast underground system of tunnels and caves – many of the chambers were used as dovecotes. The doves could fly out during the day and feed themselves – they were a sort of substitute for chickens
Classic view over Montepulciano
Bagno Vignoni, which has a pool rather than a central square or plaza
Siena
Duomo di Siena, with the black and white pattern
Duomo di Siena – a better look at the black and white pattern
Duomo di Siena – the interior also has the black and white pattern
Duomo di Siena
Vineyard in Tuscany

England 2017

The London Eye (or the Millennium Wheel)
Proper cider at a food market near the Royal Festival Hall
The FitzWilliam Museum, Cambridge
St. Benet’s Church, Cambridge – the tower dates from the 11th century
Coventry Cathedral (St. Michael’s Cathedral) – bombed in WWII and left as a sort of monument
There are a number of symbols of reconciliation on the grounds of the destroyed church
The Statue of Reconciliation – similar statues are held in Hiroshima, in Northern Ireland, and in Berlin
Statue of Lady Godiva – yes, that one
The few remains of St. Mary’s Priory, Coventry
The Coventry Transport Museum – Coventry was the center of British car manufacturing, although I don’t think that any manufacturing still takes place here. The day I visited, there was a car show going on with several American cars on display.
The Telford Madeley Court Hotel, where I stayed – a 16th century manor house. Most of the hotel proper is behind this gatehouse – the gatehouse is now used for conferences
St. Paul’s and the Millennium Bridge in early morning light
Tower Bridge in the morning light
The remains of St. Dunstan’s in the East – medieval church bombed in WWII. Never rebuilt, it now serves as a quiet space in the middle of London – a nice place to sit for a few minutes
The ceiling of St. Mary Abchurch – another medieval church in London
St. Bride’s Church – yet another medieval church in London – alleged to be the inspiration for the now traditional wedding cake (a white, tiered cake)
Leadenhall Market – I was there early (before most of the shops opened). Dates from the 14th century, located in the City of London financial district – the stores are strictly upscale
Architectural detail from Leadenhall Market
The Parish Church of St. Michael Cornhill – a medieval church tucked in between more modern buildings in London
The National Gallery of Art, London – last day of this trip.

To see photos from the aviation museums that I visited on this trip, go to the Aviation link and look for the UK aviation museums.

Italy 2018 Part III

Rialto Bridge, Venice
The Grand Canal, Venice
Walking to the AirBnB – Venice – easy to get lost!
Seafood market, early morning – Venice
Typical canal – Venice
Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica) from the lagoon, Venice
Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) from the lagoon, Venice
Street scene, Murano (island in the Venetian Lagoon)
Burano (another island in the Venetian Lagoon), famous for its colorful buildings
A closer look at the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) – the Doge’s Palace is to the left
Piazza San Marco, from atop the Basilica
Venice from atop the Campanile
St. Mark’s Basilica in late afternoon light
Detail of St. Mark’s Basilica – the Horses of St. Mark. These are replicas; the originals are kept inside the Basilica in the museum. The originals date to Classical Antiquity (they may have once been on the Arch of Trajan)
Another Venetian cityscape
Ponte dell’Accademia (Accademia Bridge) – near the Gallerie dell’Accademia (art museum)
A final Venetian cityscape

Italy 2018 Part II

Gallerie degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery) – Florence
Ponte Vecchio (from the Uffizi Gallery), Florence
Dante Aligherio’s tomb in the Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence
Galileo’s tomb, Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence
Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence
Michaelangelo’s David – Galleria dell’Accademia, Forence
Street scene, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower), Florence
Dinner, Florence
Ceiling of the Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapel), at the Basilica di San Lorenzo, Florence
Medici Chapel, Florence
Florence skyline at dusk
Bottega Conviviale – dinner, Florence