Thursday, February 26, 2026

Serre Torrigiani in Piazzetta

Serre Torrigiani in Piazzetta, Piazza dei Tre Re, Florence

Serre Torrigiani in Piazzetta
Piazza dei Tre Re
Florence, December 2024

“The first square that we visited on our quest for the Middle Ages was ‘Piazza dei Tre Re’, the Square of the Three Kings, named after the tavern that was once located there and that was known for its deep-frying. In Florence many streets and squares got new names over the years, but under the new name you can often find a sign with the old name. This square was once called the ‘Corte de' Macci’, the domain of Macci family. The only thing that reminds of their power and wealth is the Torre de’ Macci.” (A journey through Medieval Florence, intoFlorence)

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Thomaskirche

Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church), Thomaskirchhof, Leipzig

Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church)
Thomaskirchhof
Leipzig, September 2024

“The St. Thomas Church (German: Thomaskirche) is a Lutheran church in Leipzig, Germany, located at the western part of the inner city ring road in Leipzig's central district. Martin Luther preached in the church in 1539. It is associated with several well-known composers, especially Johann Sebastian Bach, who was its Thomaskantor (music director) from 1723 until his death in 1750. The church holds his remains. Although rebuilt over the centuries and damaged by Allied incendiary bombs in 1943, the church mainly retains the character of a late-Gothic hall church. The Thomanerchor, the church choir, likely founded in 1212, is an internationally known boys' choir.” (St. Thomas Church, Wikipedia)

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Palazzo Barbieri

Palazzo Barbieri by Giuseppe Barbieri, Piazza Bra, Verona

Palazzo Barbieri by Giuseppe Barbieri, 1848
Piazza Bra
Verona, May 2025

“Palazzo Barbieri is a Neoclassical style palace located in Piazza Bra in Central Verona; it now serves as the town hall. The palace was originally named Palazzo della Gran Guardia Nuova, and housed staff associated with the Austrian Army forces. It was designed by Giuseppe Barbieri and was later named in his honor. Construction began in 1836 and was completed by 1848. The interiors contain a large canvas (1595) by Felice Brusasorzi depicting the victory of the Veronese over Benacensi in the year 829. Others who worked in the studio or contributed were Alessandro Turchi, Pasquale Ottino, and Sante Creara. A 14th-century fresco depicting a Crucifixion and the Madonna from a private house was implated into the wall near the entrance. One room has tapestries from the 16th century. One designed by Paolo Farinati depicts the 1164 Victory of the Veronese against Frederick Barbarossa. Tha palace also contains various paintings by Carlo Ferrari and Eugenio Gignous.” (Palazzo Barbieri, Wikipedia)

Monday, February 23, 2026

Friedensbrunnen

Friedensbrunnen (Peace Fountain) by Johann Friedrich Steger, Jüdenhof, Dresden

Friedensbrunnen (Peace Fountain) by Johann Friedrich Steger, 1616
Jüdenhof
Dresden, September 2024

“The Friedensbrunnen (Peace Fountain) or Türkenbrunnen (Turkish Fountain) is located in Dresden's old town and is one of the oldest fountains in the city. The fountain stands in the Jüdenhof, west of the Neumarkt in front of the entrance to the Johanneum, which houses the Dresden Transport Museum. The sandstone fountain consists of an octagonal fountain basin with a floor plan of 4.5 by 4.5 meters. The eight sides of the basin are decorated with three eight-pointed rosettes. The basin is surrounded by a granite walkway. The fountain is 1.4 meters deep. In the center of the pool stands an octagonal column with a square pedestal, on which stands a water-spouting mask. The column's sides are decorated with oval, slightly arched reliefs bearing Latin inscriptions. On the pedestal stands a sculpture of the war goddess Bellona. At the back of the fountain basin there is an outlet pipe and below it a flat, round depression in the granite riser for the water to drain away.” (Friedensbrunnen, Wikipedia)

Sunday, February 22, 2026

Santa Corona

Santa Corona, Contrà Santa Corona, Vicenza

Santa Corona
Contrà Santa Corona
Vicenza, May 2025

“Santa Corona is a Gothic-style, Roman Catholic church located in Vicenza, region of Veneto, Italy. The church contains the Valmarana chapel (circa 1576), whose design is attributed to the Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Palladio himself was initially buried in this church. Construction on the church was begun in 1261 by the Blessed (Beato) Bishop Bartolomeo di Breganze to house a thorn from the supposed relic of the crown (corona) of thorns forced on Jesus during his passion. The thorn had been given to this bishop as a gift from Louis IX of France. The church belonged to the Dominican order until suppression during the Napoleonic era.” (Santa Corona, Wikipedia)

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Latte a cheescake

Latte a cheescake (Latte and cheesecake) by Veronika Psotková, U Sovových mlýnů, Malá Strana, Prague

“Latte a cheescake” (Latte and cheesecake) by Veronika Psotková, 2023
U Sovových mlýnů, Malá Strana
Prague, September 2024

“She later discovered that it is possible to form sculptures from rabit mesh without a supporting structure to which she would transfer the sculpture, but she cuts, shapes and sews the rabit mesh directly into "shells" - spatial "drawings" and only uses the frame for larger objects, which she later removes. She lets the sculptures made of technical mesh grow with the natural color of rust, or repaints them and fixes them with varnish. For exterior sculptures, she also uses hot-dip galvanized mesh (‘Latte a cheescake’, Kampa Prague, 2023).” (Veronika Psotková, Wikipedia)

Friday, February 20, 2026

Memoria e Luce

Memoria e Luce (Memory and Light) by David Libeskind, Via Giotto, Padua

“Memoria e Luce” (Memory and Light) by David Libeskind, 2005
Via Giotto
Padua, May 2025

“The ‘Memoria e Luce’ is a memorial located in Padua, Italy for victims of the 9/11 attacks on New York City. A twisted steel beam salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center, which was donated by the United States to the Veneto Region and in turn to the City of Padua, was used to realize the design of an open and luminous book.” (Memoria e Luce, 9/11 Memorial, Studio Libeskind)