Florence - Two more on the last day

It poured on our last day in Florence, so we spent a whole morning at the Bargello, the oldest public building in Florence.  This used to be a palace for the chief magistrate in the 13th century, then it housed the police chief in the 16th century and was a prison - executions used to take place in the yard. Now it's an art museum, and a good one, well worth the time. It housed important works by Michelangelo, Donatello and Giambologna - all very enjoyable.

The courtyard of the Bargello with a well in the centre

Bacchus and a faun - one of my personal favourites

Gemito's Fisherboy - quite out of place here surrounded by Greek gods...but interesting nevertheless

and I don't know what to make of this...

This one's in the outdoor arcade - can't be anything too important, although I could be wrong

What an amazing dress!

Walking in the rain can be pretty tiring, we went home for a late lunch and a nap - that's the wonderful thing about living right in town.   We made it to the Santa Croce Cathedral just before the last entry.
We took the shot below from the Bardini Gardens the day before - see how huge the church is.  It is supposed to be the largest Franciscan church in the world and the interior is relatively austere as was typical of Franciscan churches.

The 19th century marble facade was the work of Jewish architect Niccolo Matas who managed, interestingly enough, to work a prominent Star  of David into the facade!

Galileo

Machiavelli

A dramatic John the Baptist at the Baptismal font

The tree of life inside the refectory

The beautiful inner cloister built by Brunelleschi

A leather school is housed inside what used to be the dormitory for the monks - goods made are in the adjacent leather shop 

the 19th century clock tower and the outer cloisters

Good night and good bye to Florence...

It took me 3 months to finish blogging about this 3 week trip!  Next stop:  South-east Asia...