The Weekend in Black and White

For many years I've been admiring this
melancholy lady in the cemetery of
San Miniato al Monte, in Florence.  I'm
sorry to see her face becoming
more and more discolored as time passes.
Would love to see her restored.

[To see more b/w images, visit
Dragonstar's meme.]

inSPIREd Sunday

Here's simple side altar in the basilica of
San Miniato al Monte, which has sat
on a hilltop overlooking Florence since 1018.
It's well worth climbing the hill
to visit this beautiful Romanesque church
(and its equally beautiful cemetery,
if you're into that sort of thing).

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

guardians

Another shot from the beautiful cemetery
behind the basilica of San Miniato al Monte, 
way up above Florence.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

Thursday Challenge—"hard"

This is hard on a couple of levels.
First, all that stone—
but mainly because this is the "children's
section" of the graveyard at
San Miniato al Monte, in Florence. Little
Luigi was only 3 when he died almost
60 years ago. His gravestone says:
"Don't cry for him. Eyes extinguished on
earth sparkle in heaven with light
and so much happiness."

[To see more of the Thursday 
Challenge, visit Dale's meme.]

ABC Wednesday—X is for "what I see"

Seen in the crypt of the basilica of
San Miniato al Monte, in Florence: You
probably see crosses (very old ones,
as this church was begun in 1013 and the
interior has changed hardly at
all since it was first built).
I, however, choose to see X's—
or at least today I do.

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]

inSPIREd Sunday

A favorite spot in one of my favorite
churches, San Miniato al Monte,
in Florence—which I've featured before. 

[To see more churches from
around the world, go here.]

San Miniato al Monte

Up on a hill overlooking Florence
is the beautiful 12th-century basilica
of San Miniato. For me, a visit to Firenze
is not complete without a hike up
here. After spending some time in the church
and in the cemetery, I step through this
doorway to head back down to town.

[Linking back to The Weekend in Black and White
and also to inSPIREd Sunday.]

The Weekend in Black and White

This young woman has been keeping vigil at
a grave in Florence for many many years.
I wonder who posed for this sculpture and if this
is an allegorical figure or meant to represent
a loved one of the person interred in the
peaceful cemetery at the church of San Miniato.

[To see more monochromes, visit Dragonstar's meme.]

inSPIREd Sunday

This is one of my favorite churches—
San Miniato al Monte, which has been standing
on a hill overlooking Florence since the
11th century.  Behind the altar and below the
choir loft, the archways seen here lead to the crypt,
where monks gather to pray in Gregorian chant.
The cemetery behind the basilica is beautiful too.

[To see more churches from around the world, go here.]

photo Hunter — "open"

You pass through these beautiful old doors

to leave the grounds of San Miniato—I hike

up there every time I'm lucky enough 

to get to Florence.

photo hunter - "curved"

This is Viale Galileo, a beautiful, curving

road just outside the Porta Romana 

(the southern gate of Florence).  Take this

route for a picturesque walk up to

San Miniato al Monte and amazing

views of the city.

[You can see more curves here at PhotoHunter.]