Subject: So. Studies/Sciences: Geography/Cultures

European Studies Series

Italy: Florence - Old Bridges, New Friends

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"Highly Recommended. Much like its subject matter, this is a masterful work - presenting an unforgettable, three-month study of this Renaissance city. Arriving by train, a group of students come to Florence for a three-month sojourn to study Renaissance architecture. In this graceful documentary, the students' exhilarating perspective on the ancient city and their reverential impressions of their experiences are melded to fluidly shot, leisurely edited footage of the sights and treasures of Florence - the soaring churches, majestic statues, stone bridges, and surrounding hills. The sound of tolling bells, quotations from Robert Browning, and glimpses of artists' vistas of centuries-old Florence embellish this fresh, unpretentious, and totally engaging grand tour." -Booklist
One can easily understand why E.M Forster chose as the locale to begin his beloved romantic novel, A Room with a View, Florence, Italy, the capital city of Tuscany, whose art and architecture is some of the greatest in the world. This mesmerizing documentary captures this magnificent place at a pace, which allows you to feel the beauty that exists here. We begin this incredible three-month tour of Florence by visiting the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, a lovely Renaissance square aptly titled "Dante's World"; then we see the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the symbol of Florentine pride. Next is Brunelleschi's Foundling Hospital; then the church of Santa Croce, to visit the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Rossini and Machiavelli; also we view the Piazza della Signoria, the Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi Gallery. Then, in the Santo Spirito sector, artisans congregate on the Ponte Vecchio; dating back to 1335, this architectural landmark was the only bridge in Florence spared during World War II. By the program's end you will discover why the old bridges connect all who visit here to a world of new friends. Produced by Dominic Ubaldino. 2010DR/CL SCA 90 min.
Also See: Italy 1: Florence, Milan and Rome; Santiago Calatrava's Sundial Bridge: Angle of Inspiration
Associated Article: 28 Places to See Before You Die -Smithsonian Magazine