Donna in Lucca Fall 2012: The Last Supper and The Duomo (Milan); A Visit to Pisa; and Nozzana

MILANO

THE LAST SUPPER

Viewing this magnificent painting by Leonardo Da Vinci was definitely a highlight of our trip to Milan. This Renaissance masterpiece is housed in the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The church was bombed in WWII, but the wall holding The Last Supper somehow remained standing. In this painting, Da Vinci captures the moment as Jesus says, "One of you will betray me". The apostles react with surprise and confusion - Judas is the fourth from the left of Jesus.

We had a 9:45 am appointment to view the painting. Only 25 tourists are allowed in the room at a time and for only 15 minutes. It was truly an amazing and breath-taking experience! It definitely exceeded my expectations! It's much larger than I expected - takes up an entire wall in the church. We just could not stop looking at the wall and the 15 minutes flew by!

There is no photography allowed in the church, but I have added a link to a "virtual tour" of the Last Supper. Take a look and enjoy (almost) as much as we did ! Click on the link below:

The Last Supper

Church of Santa Maria della Gracie

Close up of the church that houses The Last Supper

THE MILAN DUOMO

Milan's fantastic Cathedral is the 4th largest church in Europe (after Vatican's, London and Sevilla). The construction began in 1386 and was not completed until several hundred years later. The exterior is built of marble and decorated with 135 spires, numerous statues, gargoyles and pointed arches, representing an assortment of styles from Gothic through Renaissance. The interior houses the famous statue of St. Bartolomeo, one of Christ's Apostles' and martyr who was skinned alive by the Romans.

The three "Donna's" (fyi: Donna means woman Ha!)

"Seestor"

Inside the Duomo

16th century inlaid marble floor

St. Bartolomeo wearing his flayed skin like a robe!

Leslie and I standing in front of one of the enormous columns

We were lucky enough to stumble upon an advertisement being filmed for the United Colors of Benneton! (Jeannie caught me in the background)

Check out this shopping mall! It's across from Piazza del Duomo and it's called Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Construction started in 1865 and is built in the shape of a Latin cross. The floors are decorated with mosaics of the signs of the zodiac.

Mall entrance

How bout this for a mall???

Just your average mall floor!!! Ha!

A couple of shots of the Milan train station, a beautiful building:

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN PISA

The Duomo

I know, I know......but I just had to do it!

Inside the Duomo:

Gorgeous ceiling!

A rather large candlestick would you say......??

NOZANNA.....A STOP IN THE COUNTRY SIDE

On the way back to Lucca from Pisa we stopped in Nozanno, one of Tuscany's picturesque tiny, medieval villages. Very "tranquillo", (quiet, peaceful). A delight!