Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Italy - Venice


(Above Image from a Travel Brochure)
I was told that some of the buildings I saw there as 1st storey was actually the 3rd of fourth storey of the buildings!!!
Because the 1st few storeys of the buildings were already been submerged into waters.
The people famous transport is of course the Gondola.
Upon arrival at Venice, everyone has to stop at Piazzale Roma.
The Piazzale is built in 1933.
A water transport would them bring is into the heart of Venice - Grand Canal.
Venice is made up of 118 islands, intersected by 160 canals and connected by 400 bridges.

RIALTO BRIDGE
This Rialto Bridge is the oldest one within the canal.
Suprising, it was originally made of wood but it collapsed in 1440.
Then it was rebuilt again...wood again!!!
Only in the 16th century it was then properly built by Antonio da Ponte.
He completed it in 1592.
Rialto is a single span bridge, 28 m in length and with a maximum height of 7.5 meters in the middle.
It has two rows of shophouses on it!



The view opposite the Rialto bridge - Grand Canal.
It's a very beautiful place.


We walked into the small alleys in the busy streets of Venice.
The distance between the houses apart were mostly builted very closely to each other, about a full arm length apart.


In the photo, you can see the "BRIDGE OF SIGHS"
The bridge was designed by Antonio Contini in a 17th century Baroque style.
Joins the Doges Palace to the Prigioni Nuove (New Prisons).
The name is derived from the fact that the prisoners were being taken across it before being sentenced by the judge.


BASILICA OF ST. MARK'S
The mortal remains of St. Mark was brought into Venice in 828.
Thus a church was built to house this precious relics.
Built between 11th and 15th century by many different people but the result is a harmonious blend.
Standing in the middle of PIAZZA SAN MARCO
An open space where pigeons fly around, people enjoying art works, relax...etc.
Can also buy seeds to feed the pigeons when I was there.
But recently I've heard that this practice is banned!


At the Side of Basilica of St. Mark's


Venice In High Water!
Sometimes San Marco will be flooded...
Image from a Postcard.


Streets of Venice.
People are able to take Gondolas from here.
If you are there, I would highly recommend you to try a Gondola ride.


DOGES' PALACE
A magnificent example of 14th century architecture.
It is a great museum containing works by many famous artists.

Venice... A place that I like very much beside Bavaria, Germany.
Surrounded with waters.
It a place where it is able to give one a romantic, exciting and yet also quiet and calm feelings...

Friday, May 16, 2008

Italy - Florence & Pisa Tower

An Overview of the City of Florence up on the hills.
Florence is also known as "Cradle of the Renaissance" or "Athens of Italy"
We arrived in the morning hours still feeling rather sleepy.


A place with very good view of the city.


Piazzale Michelangelo
Here in the centre of the square is Michelangelo's David
One of the world's most reproduced statue.


Giotto's Belltower and Cathedral
This belltower started it's construction in 1334 by Giotto but was completed only after his death by Andrea Pisano and Francesco Talenti.
This tower is 85 metres tall.
The Cathedral construction started in 1289 and since many alterations have been added.


At the bell tower!
The streets around it is also quite busy, full of people walking around...


Piazza Della Signoria
This is a lively square and have many statues on display.
A very artistic place.


At the south side of the square that has three great arches of Loggia Della Signoria.
Built in 1380s by Benci Di Cione and Simone Talenti for public ceremonies and later became an open air sculpture museum.


Streets in Florence, Italy


The Leaning Tower of PISA
Construction begun in 1174 by Bonanno Pisano and completed only in 99 years later by Giovanni di Simone.
This monument is 55.863 meter high.
Has 8 floors and a slope of 4.500mt.


Pizza del Duomo
The "Square of Miracles" consist os the Cathedral, the Tower, the Baptistry and the Monument Cemetery. Built by different people over a time span of more than 300 years from the 11th to 14th century.


The Cathedral at Pisa Tower was built from 1063 by Buscheto.
Consecrated in 1118 by Pope Jealaus II and only finished in the late 18th century by Rainaldo.


Picture from a Postcard

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Singapore Toy Museums

Singapore have a few toy Museums.
I've posted in on my main blog, so if you are interest, click on the link below

Museum of Toys

Museum of Shanghai Toys (MoST)

Enter into a World of Toys ...