This morning we went to the Mercato Centrale, the huge indoor food market in Florence.
Inside were butcheries with all kinds of different cuts of meat, an abundance of cheeses, fruits, vegetables, pastries, pastas, and so on.
We saw pastas being made for the day.
Here we stopped to pick up some cream-filled pastries. The were so good we went back again for 2 more. Actually, we stopped by a third time later in the day for some bread and pastries after our lunch didn't turn out so well.
Steve said it was too early for treats.
He didn't say anything about new shoes.
We got to Santa Croce and watched a bunch of high school performers before we went inside the church.
Inside the church there was lots of pretty stained glass.
The tomb of Galileo.
Michelangelo's tomb.
The tomb of Niccolo Machiavelli.
Today we visited several small churches where we were not allowed to take pictures inside. We would leave one church and find another one just a block or two away. One of them was even built in the 8th century. While they may have similar characteristics they each have something different to offer those willing to visit.
It has been raining off and on the last few days but today has been nice and sunny.
The art in these churches is important because when the churches were built most people did not know how to read and relied on the art to learn the stories of the scriptures.
We're not entirely sure, but it looks like a family tree for Jesus.
Santa Maria Novella has several 13th century frescoes that revolve around Mary, mother or Jesus. She was obviously favored here over other Saints and biblical figures.
Time for a snack... how about a fried rice ball?
