Cascade (AD 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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PAUSE FOR A PRAYER Florence was not what could be consi- dered a typical liberty port. It ' s main attrac- tions were cultural, particularly its art trea- sures in which respect it was equal to Rome. Florentine art goes back to the 12th century and continues in prominence through the Renaissance period (16th Cent.) Even the architecture is distinctly its own differing from the production of neighboring artistic centers, such as Lucca and Pisa. It is in Florence that a good many of the works of Michelangelo are kept in the Medici Chapel. The Uffigi gallery houses many of the works of Dante and DeVinci. In all, there is a total of ten museums of art in Florence. The cathedrals and churches also contain many of the works of the masters. Because of its cultural value Florence was declared an open city during WWII, pre- serving all its cultural beauty. One of the main striking works of art in the Piazza Delia Sigroria, is the Pizza Forentain by Ammannati. In its midst is the gigantic figure of Neptune now popularly referred to as Whitey , on account of its proportions and the color of the marble. The Florence tour was in itself a world of cultural knowledge. VIEW OF FLORENCE FROM PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO • • r, i i i i i sfi ' iw ov

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LORENCE THE CATHEDRAL (SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE) NEPTUNE FLORENTINE SURREY — SANS FRINGE ON TOP

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THE COLISEUM OF THE CAESARS Rome, the Eternal City, had the most historic and religious significance of any city visited. The ruins of the Forum and Coliseum brought to mind that here was the greatest civilization of the world; the home of the Caesars who for Cen- turies as dictators and by force ruled the world. The Coliseum also reminded us, together with the Catacombs, that here Christianity first struggled and finally flou- rished. As the years passed, the political Rome that tried to crush Christianity now THE STADIUM OF THE HUNDRED THOUSAND i 4 i