Medici Tombs and Santa Croce

These are the two biggies that are left to see on your short visit. Santa Croce. From Piazza Signoria it is only a 6 minute walk, but it is well worth it. In this church, which was begun in the 13th century, the tombs or the monuments to famous people (over 200) line the walls. It is a history lesson just to walk through the church. By now, you also know that a good way to cool off is to go into the stone churches. So, with your Michelin guide grasped firmly in your hands, walk through a bit of history of the city of Florence. The Medici Tombs are near the corner of the market area and you have probably passed them several times. The building was built in the 1600's for the sarcophagi of the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. Go upstairs and stand in amazement at the size of some of the tombs, but the best tombs are hidden away. Once you enter the room, off to your right there is a small door (and lots of people coming and going) and this door will lead you to a narrow walkway that empties out into the tombs of Lorenzo and Giuliano. The statues were done by Michelangelo. On Lorenzo's tomb (he is the one who looks like "The Thinker" dressed in Roman clothing) are the figures of Dawn (calm, walking with her head back in a lazy fashion) and Evening. Lorenzo is called "il Pensieroso" or the thinker, and the helmet he wears casts a shadow over his face, a reminder that thinkers have to carry a burden of thought in search for wisdom. Giuliano's tomb has Night and Day. Michelangelo admitted that the statues of the two men did not resemble them, but he said that l00 years from that time, "Who would care?" and so he pictured them the way he wanted to. Enjoy the evening, because tomorrow you hop the train to Venice. Should you care to remain in this city, you can always choose to cut one day off your stay in Venice. Tough choice! i would choose Venice, but i am definitely prejudiced toward that city.