A Renaissance Feeling

A study trip to Florence in the footsteps of Giants

It seemed like such a wonderful idea when I booked my Florence study trip in the dark dampness of last winter. Today, it is my last day of the trip in this wonderfully inspiring city and I'm trying to put into words this overwhelming experience and wondering how I can best share it.

The course I have been attending is focussed on textural engraving in metals and is located right in the centre of Florence in a wonderful well equipped and atmospheric workshop. The course only covers half days, which is quite good as engraving is pretty hard on the fingers. Florence is a place that has been soaked in the production of wonderful art since the renaissance and maybe even before. Workshops like the one I'm attending covering various artforms can still be discovered all over the city, and of course giants within the arts have worked here, to name a few: Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli. Having visited Florence before it has been a unique experience to work in one of these workshops and feel a very tiny inkling of what it must feel like working in such a stimulating environment both today and in the past.

Trying to connect to and understand this artistic environment further, I visited a few well known museums like the Uffizi Gallery, which is of course absolutely wonderful, but also sought to explore less well known places and artists. There is a lot going on in the art world in Florence, I was absolutely blown away by the light and sound show interpretation of Leonardo Da Vinci's life and works at the Cattedrale deli Immagine as well as by the museum/gallery of the present day jewellery artist Alessandro Dari. Such creativity, bravery and skill have been applied here ensuring these are experiences that leave a lasting impression. There are also some real hidden gems enabling you to get submerged into the renaissance period. The Museo di Palazzo Davanzati is a preserved building from the renaissance period and definitely worth a visit. Likewise, further wonderful fresco's from the period can be seen at the Capella Brancacci and Bionomini di San Martino.

If you are considering visiting Florence you can find my list of hidden gems (with links) below. I'm sure there are many more. Upon arrival I saw there were a lot of concerts on as well but unfortunately I did not have the energy to visit them. Which I guess gives me a very good excuse to visit again - Ciao

My list of hidden Florentine gems

Alessandro Dari museum an astonishing jewellery exhibition and experience. Feels like a universe created from Jules Verne books - Highly recommended.

Buonomini Di San Martino a lovely tranquil chapel, a very nice place for a little sit down and reflection. The frescos gives a feeling of being immerged in renaissance Florence - Highly recommended.

Cattedrale deli Immagine - Da Vinci Experience. What a fantastic experience, I was gobbed-smacked and will remember this for a very long time - Highly recommended.

Cortile dei Fiorentini (archaeological museum). I thought there were some real enlightenment here, particularly in the Etruscan section - recommended

La Specola - Museo di Storia Naturale. As a lover of Natural History and looking for textures and patterns i nature this museum is well worth a visit.  

Museo di Palazzo Davanzati. A unique chance to experience the preserved home of a renaissance family. I am not sure this can be experience many other places in the world - Highly recommended.

Capella Brancacci

Museo della Moda e del Costume. Beautiful and very inspirational exhibition in the Pitti Palace - well worth the visit