And Then There Were None,

Bah Humbug

no museums, no concerts, no churches. We were surprised to find the above notice outside the Palazzo Vecchio, which explained why earlier in the day the San Marco Museum was closed. The Italian government has decreed that all museums, concerts and events will be closed until April 4.  The north is completely locked down.  Fortunately, the owner of our rental in Bologna reimbursed us the down payment.  We will not be going.  Instead, we will extend our stay in Siena. 

It was a beautiful sunny day so we took advantage and walked the narrow streets, sat in the expansive piazzas, and window shopped.  This city drips with history and art found both inside and outside of museums.  Most of it is somehow related to the Medici family.  San Marco is where Cosimo invested much money to repair the convent and build the cloisters.  Two well-known Dominicans lived here, Savanarola and Fra Angelica.  It is here the beautiful Fran Angelica frescos are. I am very sorry to be missing these.

Still unaware of the decree, we attempted to enter San Lorenzo, where located are the tombs of Medici built by Michelangelo. Memories of our past visit will have to suffice here.  But in the Piazza of San Lorenzo, was a monument to Giovanni delle Bandi Nere commissioned by his son Cosimo I.  I digress here to state that the Medici family loves the names Cosimo, Giovanni, Lorenzo and Piero.  And, they aren't cooperative enough to signify them with I, II, III, etc.  No, they employ some form of surnames that just confuses the hell out of me.  

Finally, spotting the decree, we knew the gig was up, gave up on museums and strolled the quaint narrow streets, sat in the sunny piazzas, bought a bottle of wine and headed home where I noticed our neighbors' name plates.  Hmmmm.

  A few pictures are at flickr.  

Observations of two visitors.
    Strolling in Florence is not bad.