After I left the church I started across the river and up the hill towards the fake David. I took my time winding around the city towards my destination and found some wonderful little treasures.
Like all churches here this on had a long and illustrious history dating back to 783AD. It took the better part of the day, since I tend to move in slow motion compared to many when I have a camera in my hand.
This church has the most breathtaking view of the entire city…the perfect vantage point really. The inside is traditional in the sense of having the large main chamber but the small spaces off the sides and down below are even more incredible. I went below to see the solemn and beautiful crypt and it was the first time in weeks that I had complete and total silence. I sat there for at least 15 minutes just drinking it in. The flicker of the candles and cold of the marble were very comforting after the scorching heat that has laid across Florence for weeks.
I took my slippas off to touch the “carpet of marble” directly and feel the old…feel the sense of the place that so many ancients have walked.
Haec Est Porta Coeli….”This is the gate of heaven” taken from Genesis 28:17 is inscribed on the threshold of the “holy portal”.
So I’m humbled right before the first day of class to think that maybe someday I can clean, restore and preserve such a rich part of history.
I love that you photographed your doffed shoes on the marble. Really gives me a sense of your experience in that small moment.
ReplyDeletegreat pic of you, spectacular view. stunning.
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