Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1899-12-09

FLORENCE, ITALY. Nov. IL. 1899

Il
MY DEAR SIsTER:-Friday we visited
the very old church of Santa Maria
Noyella, which is very magnificent. The
| foundation stone Of the beautiful old
building WAS laid October 9th. 1921, and
was almost finished in the fifteenth (l5)
century. say almost because one side
at the top Of the facade is still incom-
plete. j will tell you the reason of this.
In those days every church when COM
pleted was demanded each year to pay
a fund to the Pope. so the church was
all finished, except some small decora-
ton of little importance, 80 when they
we're asked for the fund they would say
they had not yet finished their church
and this is the reason Santa Maria
Novella is not completed. The front is
of black and white marble and the two
large black marble pillars on either eide
Of the door are all beginning to crumble
from age. The church has very celebrat.
ed picture Modonna by Cinnabue. 1t is
the picture Of the Virgin with the Christ
child guarded on all sides by angels. 1t
is very beautiful picture. On the
floor of the church there were formerly
ia sepulchral stones. valuable in Floren-
tine history, but they have been remov-
ed. Above the middle door of the main
entrance is a large crucifx made by
Gotto. In the centre of the church was
a large marble on which the coffin rest
ed. The priests and Monks of great
quantities were dressed in black, and
some in white, and some in yellow and
red. and most every other imaginable
color. They were chanting, and all the
people were kLeeling on the hard mar.
BILE -four which was inlaid with white
and black marble. We must have stay.
Cd one hour and half, and still the
chanting went on, and still the people
kept kneeling. / don't suppo you
have evea read or heard OF the celebrat-
ed gates or doors ofthis building Above
the crucifix is a rose-window of stained
glass epresenting the coronation Of the
Virgin surrounded by angels. There
are seven altais in all and each ssone Is
very beautiful. The main one is made
Of marble and on each side is a
row Of precious stones. There 10 so
much to tell must not try to describe
all but will tell little about the beauti.
ful old cathedral of Santa Maria del
Fiore. 1t was begun in 1898 and is not
yet finished, for the same reason as that
Of S. NJ. NoYella. 1t is > most exquisite
thing all made of white marble with
black borders and all colors of marble
trimmings, very delicate pink and in
laid mosacs. 1t is very beautiful inside
with. beautiful stained windows and
large marble pillars. The morning We
| visited it there were funeral exercises
which are very pretty, but nothing to
compare with the Palla Vicino garden
we visited in Genoa. We went also
this afternoon to Well del Coleui to San
Mineoto cemetery. This is the most
charming drive in Florence. The Gem
etery is up on a hill and from the
heights you get such beautiful views OF
the town.
Tuesday I received letter from a
friend of mine whom i met on the
steamer. she is now in Rome. Oh /
had such a pleasant time on the steamer
and made so many friends. had en-.
ough calling cards given me to fill two
cases. never shall forget my first
voyage. Well, l must close for this
time. Good by.
Your loving sister.
PEARL WHITE.