The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-08-19
i an EAT, BRi oHToN CHURCH,
NORTH AMPT ON. 4

the pantheon OF Tuscany" 1t contains
the tomb Of Michael Angelo, the great
artist, who died ore his life-work seemed
complete, leaving several unfinished mar
Ebles, to sc nothing OF his other pro- i
Ejected plans. In this church, alao, Is q 4
beautiful marble monument to- Dante
one Of Florence's most Industrious sons
There are. moreover. monuments in this
church to Galileo, and AZ to II cl,iavelli.S
the. fatierEof modern diplomacy "a hicils
has been brusquely vi defined as the art Of
lying for one 8 country ss $35 is5is5j
as8$t Santa CrOce. Is the best specimen Of
the early Italian Gothic church Its
wallis arc decorat ted with some fine fres-Ss;
Goes and paintings BY the Sod 1aennis+-ss
sance masters. r. he Bnrdi Vi c lapel \. In
this church Ruskin pronounced the 5n,osti
In MI Ithly and truly It Is little gem
of its kind a 5j3
XII Other churches in Florence which will
attract the strangers attention arc 4 Or
San Michele, curious old square struc-5
StureS which was originally built for o
granary Z san Lorenzo =, where are the
elaborate tombs Of the Afedici, adorned
with Michael Angelica famous & 4 Day and
Night. q md ~ M rning and Evening and
la.@ Santissima III Annunsiata''4 Is also
notable for its handsome decorations and
5frcscoes. 81 n.
The Cathedral
Tho Cathedral, Of 4 course. outyies In
5po pular interest all the churches in Flor
seflce. It dates from the end OF the thlr-s
$tecnth century, and Is an edlnce Of fine
proportions The dome IFS the design Of
sBruelleschi. * The ornate and ostentationsS
facade of white and Syarlousf colored MAR
ibles alternating IL OF very modern con-
!struction, being finished only In 1884, The
interior. though very impressive because
of Its grand dimensions, & looks severely
plain and dark. It possesses very little
decoration and IS .wre tchedly Il lighted
The sombre. undecorated$ interior Is not
at all In keeping witt the ornate exte-9
SrIor OF alternate white and coored mar
BILE. ~ M ~
u BY the side Of the Cathedral rises to a.
dizzy height the graceful campanile. It's Z
Jored marbles. Ike the Cathedral. land isS
embellished with numerous statues and !
Sreliefs By Donatello, Pisano and other
master artists. This beautiful pile Of
marble Is The consummate achievement
OF Giotto's genius and It's perfect flower
N The Baptistery opposite the main en-
trance to the Cathedral and the Campo
nile. seems low and squatty In the front
of these towering structures. The Ban
Itlsteryiis an octagonal building and shows
the influence Of the Pant heonS in It's CON
sstruction. Yet. unlike the Roman Pan
Etheon. the Baptlytery does not strike one K
as being grand or Imposing he building
is said TO date from the eighth century
and down to the year 1l2s u It was The
Cathedral Of Florence. This church was /
ienshrined in the heart OF Dante, who
5refors 10 It as 81 my beautiful st. John's."$
The glory OF the Baptistery. however
is Its bronze doors, signed by Chit
lberti These celebrated doors were first
added in the early part OF the fifteenth
century. and all three OF them are q
marvel in bronze. they set forth in bold &
relief the main story OF biblical history
OF the finest door Michael Angelo said
trance to Paradise. ss .8 B; 5s3asfi 81
III m this Baptistery I'LL tho children gof
Florence nre baptized. On Sunday az
5ternoon we dropped into this church and \
took pleasure in witnessing the ceremony
ofinfant baptism as administered by the
officiating priest. IT proved quite inter- 81,