vacation Travel Back in Time

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Vacation is a DS Publication Digital Editor-Della Schapiro Italy The Birthplace of the Renaissance

lorence was the birthplace of the Italian are now housed in the FRenaissance. Politically, economically, and spectacular Museum of culturally it was the most important city in Europe the Works of the Duomo, for around 250 years; from some time before 1300 just to the east of the until the early 1500s. Renaissance artists flourished Cathedral. in Florence. From and Massaccio and the Florence is filled various della Robbias; through Fra Angelico and with many other churches Botticelli and , to Michelangelo stuffed with some of the the brilliant, revolutionary creations the History of Science, the Palazzo Davanzatti, the and Leonardo, the Florentines dominated the visual finest art in the world: of Donatello, Verrochio, Desiderio da Stibbert Museum, St. Marks, the Medici Chapels, arts like nobody before or since. San Miniato al Monte, Settignano, Michelangelo, and so many the Museum of the Works of Santa Croce, the San Lorenzo, Santa other masterpieces that create a body of work Museum of the Cloister of Santa Maria Novella, the  Cathedrals  Maria Novella, Santa unique in the world. And, of course, there is Zoological Museum ("La Specola"), the Bardini, he cathedral topped by Brunelleschi's dome is Trinita, the Brancacci Chapel at Santa Maria della the Accademia, with Michelangelo's David, perhaps and the Museo Horne. Tthe third largest Christian church and dominates Carmine, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, SS Annunziata, the most well-known work of art anywhere, plus the the skyline. The dome was the largest ever built at Ognissanti, and more. superb, unfinished prisoners and slaves Michelangelo the time. In front of it is the medieval Baptistery, worked on for the tomb of Pope Julius II. Quick Links where every Florentine was baptized until modern  Art Galleries  hen there are the art galleries. The Uffizi and   times. The two buildings incorporate the transition Museums www.visitflorence.com from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance in their Tthe Pitti Palace are two of the most famous n all, Florence has something over 80 museums. decoration. In recent years, most of the important picture galleries in the world. But the heart and IAmong those at the top of most lists are the City www.uffizi.org works of art from those two buildings and from the soul of Florence are in the two superb collections hall, the Palazzo della Signoria (aka Palazzo Vecchio), www.museumflorence.com wonderful Bell Tower, designed by , have of sculpture, the Bargello and the Museum of a wonderful building with magnificent rooms and some been removed and replaced by copies. The originals the Works of the Duomo. They are filled with great art; the Archeological Museum, the Museum of www.museumsinflorence.com 4 vacation 12.15 vacation 12.15 5 The Neuschwanstein Castle Windsor Castle Füssen, Bavaria, Germany Windsor, Berkshire, England Website Website Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, Roy alLife The largest and oldest occupied castle in the world and still an Neuschwanstein was opened to the public. The shy king had built official royal residence. The original castle was built in the 11th the castle in order to withdraw from Castles From Around the World century after the Norman invasion public life – now vast numbers of by William the Conqueror. Since people came to view his private the time of Henry I, it has been refuge. used by succeeding monarchs.

Today Neuschwanstein is one of The castle includes the 15th- the most popular of all the palaces century St. George's Chapel. The and castles in Europe. Every apartments are furnished with year 1.4 millionpeople visit "the some of the finest works of art castle of the fairy-tale king". In the from the royal collection, including summer around 6,000 visitors a day paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, stream through rooms that were Canaletto and Gainsborough. intended for a single inhabitant.

Kokura Castle Prague Castle Kitakyūshū, Japan Prague, Czech Republic Website Website Built by Hosokawa Tadaoki in The main attraction of 1602, it was the property of the Hradčany (Castle Quarter or Castle Ogasawara clan of Harima from District) is the Prague Castle itself. 1632 to 1860. The castle was burnt The Prague Castle is the former down in 1865 in the war between seat of the King and is now the the Kokura and Choshu clans. The seat of the Czech president. This keep was reconstructed in 1959, is Prague's number one tourist and the castle was fully restored attraction so expect huge crowds in 1990. The Matsumoto Seicho and possibly long lines, especially museum and castle garden were during high tourist season. opened in 1998. In the center of the castle and the most important cathedral in all of the Czech republic, St. Vitus Inside the castle you can see a video show about what Kokura was like during the Edo period, Cathedral.The oldest parts of the cathedral are from the 14th century, but the cathedral was not a display of Kokura Castle and its surroundings during the Edo period which is made of many completed in the Medieval period. The highest tower was completed in Renaissance and Baroque lifelike tiny paper dolls, and you can also ride inside a palanquin like the castle lord would have styles much later. when traveling. The box rocks back and forth to recreate the motion. It's amusing and free, so enjoy being the daimyo for a minute.

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