Uffizi Gallery – Florence, Italy The famous Uffizi Gallery contains one of the most important collections of Renaissance art in the world. The building itself was originally constructed in the 16th century as administrative offices for the Florentine government during the rule of the Medici family. Today the gallery displays masterpieces by some of the […]
Pitti Palace – Florence, Italy The massive Palazzo Pitti stands on the south side of the Arno River and served for centuries as one of the principal residences of the Medici family. Originally constructed in the 15th century, the palace was later expanded into an enormous complex housing royal apartments, galleries, and museums. Today the […]
Galleria dell’Accademia – Florence, Italy The renowned Galleria dell’Accademia houses one of the most celebrated sculptures in the history of art: David by Michelangelo. Created between 1501 and 1504, the towering marble statue represents the biblical hero David and stands as a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. Originally placed in the Piazza della Signoria as a […]
Kilkenny Castle – Kilkenny, Ireland Kilkenny Castle stands prominently along the banks of the River Nore at the edge of the historic city of Kilkenny. Originally built in 1195 by the Norman lord William Marshal, the castle served for centuries as the principal residence of the powerful Butler family, Earls of Ormond. The castle’s massive […]
With temperatures in the units this week, the Potomac River and the Tidal Basin were frozen over. After freezing to get some of these pictures, we spent the day in the Sackler and Freer Galleries (and mad a couple quick stops in the Hirshhorn and Air and Space Museums).
Buda Castle – Budapest, Hungary Buda Castle occupies the southern portion of Castle Hill, rising high above the Danube on the western side of Budapest. The site has served as a royal residence since the Middle Ages and was repeatedly expanded and rebuilt as the political center of the Hungarian kingdom. The castle complex today […]