Palazzo Pubblico

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Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia
Piazza del Campo
Siena, October 2021

“The Palazzo Pubblico (town hall) is a palace in Siena, Tuscany, central Italy. Construction began in 1297 and its original purpose was to house the republican government, consisting of the Podestà and Council of Nine. The outside of the structure is an example of Italian medieval architecture with Gothic influences. The lower story is stone; the upper crenelatted stories are made of brick. The facade of the palace is curved slightly inwards (concave) to reflect the outwards curve (convex) of the Piazza del Campo, Siena's central square of which the Palace is the focal point. The campanile or bell tower, Torre del Mangia, was built between 1325 and 1344 with its crown designed by the painter, Lippo Memmi. The tower was designed to be taller than the tower in neighboring rival Florence; at the time it was the tallest structure in Italy. It was fitted with a mechanical clock during the mid-14th century. Its design has been used as the basis for several other campaniles including the Dock Tower in Grimsby, England constructed in 1852 and the Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower in the Edgbaston campus of the University of Birmingham (completed in 1908).” (Palazzo Pubblico, Wikipedia)

The Iron Knight

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The Iron Knight by Ladislav Šaloun
Nová radnice (New City Hall)
Mariánské náměstí (Virgin Mary Square)
Staré Město (Old Town)
Prague, September 2017

Ghiacciaia

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Ghiacciaia (Ice house) by Giuseppe Manetti, 1796
Viale degli Olmi
Parco delle Cascine (Cascine Park)
Florence, January 2022

“Have you ever wondered what a pyramid is doing in the Cascine? Just off viale degli Olmi, which runs the length of the park, this mysterious structure was once an ice house. Built in 1796 by Grand Duke Ferdinando III’s architect Giuseppe Manetti, it was used to store dairy products and to preserve ice for the summer months. The ice was harvested from small purpose-built ponds near what is now the Le Pavoniere swimming pool (the buildings of which once housed the head warden of the Cascine). The ice house, now used as a storage space by the Cascine’s gardeners, underwent extensive restoration in 2009, along with the nearby Fountain of Narcissus. Not only ice chilled in the Cascine: a windy autumn day there in 1819 inspired Percy Bysshe Shelley’s Ode to the West Wind.” (Chilling in the Cascine, The Florentine)

Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav

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Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav by Jozef Pospíšil & Vojtech Ihriský, 1937
Hviezdoslavovo námestie
Staré Mesto (Old Town)
Bratislava, September 2017

“Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav (2 February 1849 - 8 November 1921) was a Slovak poet, dramatist, translator, and for a short time, member of the Czechoslovak parliament. Originally, he wrote in a traditional style, but later became influenced by parnassism and modernism. He was born as Pavel Országh. His family name is Hungarian (from ország, meaning ‘country’). Hviezdoslav (a Slavic name, meaning approximately ‘celebrating the stars’ and/or ‘Slav of the stars’) was his pseudonym from 1875.[1] His earlier pseudonym was Jozef Zbranský.” (Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, Wikipedia)

Coiled snake

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Iron coiled snake
Piazza del Campo
Siena, October 2021

Hill Arches

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“Hill Arches” by Henry Moore, 1973
Karlsplatz
Vienna, September 2017

“Hill Arches is a bronze sculpture by Henry Moore, catalogued as LH 636. The piece is made of four separate parts, three of which are described by Roger Berthoud, Moore's biographer, as being stirrup-shaped; the fourth is a large sphere. One cast is situated in the Karlsplatz in front of the Karlskirche in Vienna, where it was installed in 1978 – initially to complaints that it disrupted the views of the historic church. Another is sited at the headquarters of Deere and Company in Illinois.” (Hill Arches 1973, Wikipedia)

Opera of Florence

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Opera di Firenze (Opera of Florence)
Piazza Vittorio Gui
Florence, January 2022

“The Teatro dell'Opera is both modern and extremely functional: you'll find it in a recently revived area located between piazza Vittorio Veneto and Cascine Park, which is easily accessible by tram (line 1, the Porta al Prato - Leopolda stop). In front of the theater you'll find a piazza and garden named after the founder of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Vittorio Gui. In this lush, green lawn you’ll find over 80 trees, including ash, linden and poplar trees, as well as stone seating. These features create a beautiful and welcoming environment, the perfect spot for a stroll or for relaxing in the open air. And your eyes will surely wander to the impressive and futuristic architectural complex in the background.” (Opera in Florence, Destination Florence)

Széchenyi István emlékmű

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Széchenyi István emlékmű
(István Széchenyi Monument) by Engel József, 1880
Széchenyi István tér
Budapest, September 2017

Semper suaves

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“Semper suaves” ()
Palazzo Bargagli-Piccolomini
Via dei Termini
Siena, October 2021

Tribeca Bridge

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Tribeca Bridge by Skidmore Owings and Merrill, 1994
Seen from Chambers Street
New York, September 2007

“The Chambers Street Bridge or the Tribeca Bridge, was built in 1994 to improve connections for the northern part of Battery Park City. It connects Stuyvesant High School inside Battery Park City and the property of the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Although an exit to the street level exists on the Battery Park City side, the bridge connects directly into Stuyvesant High School. Designed by Skidmore Owings and Merrill, its lighting display at night has earned it the 1996 IES/NY Lumen Lighting Award.” (West Street pedestrian bridges, Wikipedia)

Hand-crafted souvenirs

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Lastrucci hand-crafted souvenirs
Borgo Ognissanti
Florence, December 2021

Facade of the Clementinum

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Facade of the Clementinum
Seen from Mariánské náměstí (Virgin Mary Square)
Staré Město (Old Town)
Prague, September 2017

“The Clementinum (Klementinum in Czech) is a historic complex of buildings in Prague. Until recently the complex hosted the National, University and Technical libraries; the City Library was also nearby on Mariánské Náměstí. In 2009, the Technical library and the Municipal library moved to the Prague National Technical Library at Technická 6.[1] It is in use as the National Library of the Czech Republic. In 2005, the Czech National Library received the UNESCO Jikji prize (Memory of the World).” (Clementinum, Wikipedia)

Accademia dei Rozzi

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“Accademia dei Rozzi”
Via di Città
Siena, October 2021

“Accademia dei Rozzi di Siena, founded in 1531 under the name Congrega dei Rozzi by a group of artisans, then carried out activities related to theater and music, as well as cultural events. The ‘Congrega’ dei Rozzi, founded in 1531, after being transformed into an Academy in 1691 became, above all during the 19th century, one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Siena. After using the Saloncino located in the premises of the Metropolitan Opera for its business, the Academy, following the grand-ducal ban on the use of the Saloncino, decided in 1804 to build a new theater in the premises located near Piazza. of San Pellegrino (today Independence) designed by the Sienese architect Alessandro Doveri.” (Accademia dei Rozzi, Histouring)

Memorial to Slovak National Uprising

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Memorial to Slovak National Uprising, 1974
Námestie Slovenského národného povstania
Staré Mesto (Old Town)
Bratislava, September 2017

Cinema Odeon

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Cinema Odeon
Via degli Anselmi
Florence, December 2021

“Palazzo dello Strozzino is a Renaissance palace in Florence, region of Tuscany, Italy. The stone Renaissance facade is located on Piazza degli Strozzi, diagonal to the Southeast corner of the imposing Palazzo Strozzi. The Northern façade on Via dei Anselmi houses the entrance to the Cinema Odeon. The palace, once known as the Palazzo delle Tre Porte for its three ground doorways, was a residence of the cadet branch of the Strozzi family; it was older and smaller than the grandiose Palazzo Strozzi. The palace houses the Cinema Odeon, designed (1920) by Marcello Piacentini, as well as the language school of the British Institute of Florence.” (Palazzo dello Strozzino, Wikipedia)

Kneeling Jew

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Statue of kneeling Jew by Alfred Hrdlicka, 1991
Albertinaplatz
Vienna, September 2017

Palazzo Chigi-Saracini

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Palazzo Chigi-Saracini
Via di Città
Siena, October 2021

“The Palazzo Chigi-Saracini is a Gothic urban palace on the Via di Città in the Terzo di Città in central Siena, Tuscany, Italy. In 2014 it housed the Accademia Musicale Chigiana. It was built by the Marescotti family in the 12th century.[1] It was the house of Count Galgano Lucarini Saracini and then it became property of Fabio Chigi Lucarini Saracini.[2] The palace is described as a ‘Gothic beauty with a curved facade and back courtyard.’” (Palazzo Chigi-Saracini, Wikipedia)

Vízcsorgató gyermekek kútja

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Vízcsorgató gyermekek kútja
(Fountain of Water Pouring Children) by Senyei Károly, 1896
Vigadó tér
Budapest, September 2017

Rainman Fountain

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Fontana dell'Uomo della pioggia (Rainman fountain)
“Pioggia” (Pluie) by Jean-Michel Folon, 2002
Largo Jean-Michel Folon
Florence, December 2021

“Jean Michel Folon's Uomo della Pioggia, donated to the city of Florence in 2002, is located in front of the ex-Obi Hall on the viali as you enter the city from the Firenze Sud highway exit. It has been the object of four unfortunate road accidents as careless drivers have missed the roundabout and hit the beautiful work of art, causing the need for restoration (in 2015 it was literally broken in two). The latest installation adds security measures including a higher curb, a taller cement pedestal, bright lighting and video cameras; in fact, just days after the new installation, another car didn't make the curve of the roundabout, but managed not to hit the statue. The ‘Rain Man’ is typical of the Belgian artist. Expressionless and yet so expressive, he wears a raincoat and his ‘umbrella’ is a fountain of eternal rain. Personally I think he is an optimist. A number of the artist’s charming works can also be found in the Giardino delle Rose under Piazzale Michelangelo.” (Public art in modern-day Florence, ArtTrav)

1440 Broadway

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W.O.R. Building by Starrett & Van Vleck, 1925
Renovated by Moed de Armas & Shannon, 2001
1440 Broadway
New York, September 2007

Vicolo del Verchione

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Arches
Vicolo del Verchione
Siena, October 2021

Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla

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Bazilika svatého Petra a Pavla (Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul)
Štulcova, Vyšehrad
Prague, September 2017

“The Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul is a neo-Gothic church in Vyšehrad fortress in Prague, Czech Republic. Founded in 1070–1080 by the Czech King Vratislav II, the Romanesque basilica suffered a fire in the year 1249 and has been rebuilt in Gothic and later in neo-Gothic style. The basilica features an impressive stone mosaic above its entry, and its twin 58 m towers can be seen atop a hill to the south from along the Vltava River in central Prague. Behind the church is located large park and Vyšehrad cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Czechs, including author Karel Čapek and composer Antonín Dvořák. In 2003 the church was elevated to basilica by Pope John Paul II.” (Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul, Wikipedia)

Caserma Antonio Baldissera

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Caserma Antonio Baldissera (Former Royal Mint)
Lungarno Pecori Giraldi
Florence, December 2021

“The military zone occupies a large block between the avenues of Circonvallazione and the Arno, between the viale della Giovine Italia, viale Duca degli Abruzzi, viale Giovanni Amendola and the lungarno. The barracks is the headquarters of the Tuscany Region Carabinieri Command and belongs to the military domain.” Caserma Antonio Baldissera, Loquis)

Ján Langoš

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Memorial to Ján Langoš, 2010
Námestie Slovenského národného povstania
Staré Mesto (Old Town)
Bratislava, September 2017

“Ján Langoš (2 August 1946, in Banská Bystrica – 15 June 2006, in Drienovec) was a Slovak politician associated with the Democratic Party. He was one of the key dissidents during the era of Communist Czechoslovakia. He served as a minister at Department of Home Affairs (1990–1992) of former Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, appointed by president Václav Havel. After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia he was a member of Parliament and established the Democratic Party. After many years of conviction he succeeded in establishing the National Memory Institute. After finding documentations of crimes of several influential people and trying to open these to public, he died in a car accident.” (Ján Langoš, Wikipedia)

Pantera

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Pantera (Panther) fountain by Giulio Corsini, 1977
Piazza del Conte
Siena, October 2021

“Pantera’s fountain was inaugurated in the same year as Drago's, and is the work of sculptor Giulio Corsini. The sleek bronze panther crouches, gazing attentively into the basin below. The Pantera contrada is on the southwest side of Siena and their fountain is located in Piazza del Conte, on Via di San Quiricio. Their patron, Saint John the Beheaded, is celebrated on August 29.” (Siena's Contrada Fountains, La Bella Vita in Italia)

Gegen Krieg und Faschismus

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Mahnmal gegen Krieg und Faschismus
(Memorial against War and Fascism) by Alfred Hrdlicka, 1991
Albertinaplatz
Vienna, September 2017

Piazza Ugo di Toscana

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Piazza Ugo di Toscana
Novoli
Florence, December 2021

Szent István király

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Szent István király (King Saint Stephen) by Stróbl Alajos & Schulek Frigyes, 1906
Szentháromság tér, Halászbástya
Budapest, September 2017

Chiocciola

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Chiocciola (Snail) fountain by Fulvio Corsini, 1947
Via San Marco
Siena, October 2021

“The foundry used by Tartuca to cast their fountain was located within the contrada of Chiocciola, the snail. Learning of their traditional rival’s plan, the Chiocciolini usurped the honor of inaugurating the first contrada fountain by installing a bronze of their own in 1947. The sculpture, made in 1937 by Fulvio Corsini, is similar – a child riding a rollicking snail. Chiocciola’s patron, the Apostles Peter and Paul, are commemorated on June 29. The contrada is located at the southeast corner of Siena, in Terzo di Città, and their fountain graces a small piazza on Via San Marco.” (Siena's Contrada Fountains, La Bella Vita in Italia)

Shakespeare fountain

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William Shakespeare by Giovanni Fontana
Leicester Square Gardens
London, September 2014

“The statue of William Shakespeare, sculpted by Giovanni Fontana, an Italian sculptor, after an original by Peter Scheemakers, has formed the centrepiece of Leicester Square Gardens in London since 1874. The marble figure, copied from Scheemakers' 18th-century monument to Shakespeare in Poets' Corner, Westminster Abbey, stands on a pedestal flanked by dolphins at the centre of a fountain. It is the result of improvements to the gardens made by the financier Albert Grant, who bought the Square in 1874 and had it refurbished to a design by James Knowles. The scroll held by Shakespeare is inscribed with a quotation from Twelfth Night (Act IV, Scene II), THERE IS NO DARKNESS BUT IGNORANCE, where the original in Poets' Corner has a misquoted passage from The Tempest. The Leicester Square statue also differs from its model in omitting portrait reliefs of Henry V, Richard III and Elizabeth I from the plinth on which Shakespeare rests. ” (Statue of William Shakespeare, Wikipedia)

Augusto Desideri

Funerary monument of Augusto Desideri (1899-1914)
Cimitero delle Porte Sante (The Sacred Doors Cemetery)
Via delle Porte Sante
Florence, December 2021