Renaissance

Rothenburg Churches

We also visited Church of St James, Rothenburg's large Gothic Church.

Pegnitz River Nuremberg

The Pegnitz River in Nuremberg makes for some fantastic photos.

Munich Residenz

On MayDay we visited Munich Residenz, home of Wittelsbach.

Santa Maria Maggiore

Originally built in the 5th Century, Santa Maria Maggiore has the opulence which is characteristic of the four major Vatican Basilicas of Rome.

Vatican Museums

We continued our tour of Vatican Museums in the Renaissance Wing.

Palazzo Apostolico

Vatican Museums is full of art and we began with sculpture.

Cupola di San Pietro

From the roof of St Peter's Basilica, the view is panoramic.

Basilica di San Pietro

St. Peter's Basilica is the greatest Church in Christendom.

Santa Cecilia and Villa Farnesina

After stopping at a Cafe for Breakfast, we filled up on more art, history, and culture at Basilica Santa Cecilia and Villa Farnesina.

Galleria Doria Pamphilj

Rome's Greatest Palace still under private ownership is a Gallery of the family's private art collection with a tour narrated by the Prince himself.

Saint Peter in Chains

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli commemorates the Apostle Peter's imprisonment.

Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is the historic North Entrance of Rome.

Borghese

Borghese Gallery nestled in the vast Villa Borghese Gardens, high atop a bluff overlooking the entrance to Rome, is a Palace Museum displaying the private art collection of Cardinal Borghese.

San Giovanni in Laterano

Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome, and as such, ranks even higher than St. Peter's Basilica.

Boboli Gardens

We marinated in the stunning views of Boboli Gardens behind Palazzo Pitti.

Accademia

On Thursday we visited the Accademia in order to see David, the greatest sculpture in the World, carved in Marble by the World's Greatest Sculptor.

Salone dei Cinquecento

We continued our tour of Palazzo Vecchio, viewing the Grand Hall, touring Pope Leo X's Apartments, and then visited the Christmas Market at Piazza Santa Croce.

Palazzo Vecchio Apartments and Terrace

At Palazzo Vecchio we were delighted by the Bust of Macchiavelli, enjoyed the view from the terrace, and were awed by the Hall of Justice.

Bargello First Floor

We continued our tour of Bargello viewing Verrocchio's David, Donatello's David (bronze), Donatello's St George, and the famous Baptistry Doors Contest submission.

Bargello Ground Floor

At the Bargello, we began by viewing the Courtyard, Michelangelo's Bacchus, Giambologna's Flying Mercury, and Donatello's Marble David.

Uffizi Lower Floor

The lower floor in Uffizi contains High Renaissance Paintings by artists such as Titian, Raphael, Da Vinci, and Parmigianino.

Uffizi Top Floor

Chronologically, Uffizi begins on the top floor, starting with Medievel and Early-Renaissance Art.

Opera del Duomo Museum

Many of the original works of art from the Cathedral, Baptistry, and Bell Tower in Florence reside now in Duomo Museum for preservation.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Florence Cathedral is the fourth-largest Church in the world, with the largest brick dome in the world.

Basilica of Santa Croce

In Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence, we visited Baroncelli Chapel, Pazzi Chapel, the Sacristy, and Refectory.

Basilica di Santa Croce

Santa Croce, Church of the Holy Cross, is the largest Franciscan Church in the world and was built in the 14th Century.

Brunelleschi's Dome

From the summit of Brunelleschi's Dome, Florence glows in the Tuscan Winter Morning Sun.

Cupula de Santa Maria del Fiore

It's 463 stairs to the top of Cúpula de Santa María del Fiore, and the view is great.

Pitti Palace

Too much Palazzo Pitti for one post, so we continue.

Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti is the Grandest Palace in Florence, primary residence of de' Medici family, and second-most prestigious art gallery in Florence.

Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Santa Maria Novella is the first large is the first large Basilica in Florence. Right next to the train station, it is also the first Basilica you see upon arriving.

Cappelle Medici and Piazza Santa Maria Novella

We visited Cappelle Medici inside Basilica of San Lorenzo, and then photographed the facade of Basilica di' Santa Maria Novella, from Piazza Santa Maria Novella (before touring the basilica).

Palazzo Medici and San Marco

We visited Palazzo Medici and San Marco Basillica and Convent in Florence.

Wiener Staatsoper

On our last full day in Vienna, we exlored Ringstraße, Kunsthistorisches Museum, and attended Opera.