Looking down at the altar: the Baptistry, Florence Italy

    Ten years ago we visited Florence while on a Road Scholar tour of three cities in Italy. While we eventually drove around for two weeks by car, we enjoyed locals showing us around. In Florence we were fortunate to have a special tour of the upper gallery of the Baptistry. As the name indicates, it is a separate building from the main church or Duomo. These galleries were at one time where the women could watch the baptism ceremony. People were not admitted to the Cathedral until they were baptized. 

    The gallery turns a circle high above the round sanctuary. The view of the gold and colored ceiling tiles is worth the climb. There is something special too about going "behind the scenes". 

    You may have seen the golden doors of the baptistry which are so famous. The ones currently on the front of the church are reproductions for safety and the real ones are behind the Duomo in a wonderful small, but amazing museum. They have several sculptures by Michelangelo (Pieta) and Donatello (Mary Magdalene.) I personally feel that Donatello's David and Mary Magdalene are the best sculptures I have ever seen.