But the Renaissance, was also a rediscovery of science. The scientific advances of the Greeks and Romans were rediscovered via the Arabs, and Europe once again started to look and examine the world about them in a critical and scientific manner.
The recently renovated Galileo Museum was something I was looking forward to seeing. Located right next to the Uffizi Galleries, the modern museum promised a lot.
The artifacts are indeed works of art in themselves. Astrolabes, telescopes, clocks and meterologic equipment are all displayed. Old maps and globes, are all beautifully to look at. Perhaps the most intricate of all, is the Armillary Spheres that mechanically made the universe move in the complicated manner if the earth was the center of the universe.
But it does feel like a museum. Which is a pity.
There is potential for this museum to be so much more.
They even alluded how at one point it was fashionable to have working models demonstrating these scientific principles, and they even exhibited some of them as well. Why did they not take advantage of this, and have working models as part of the exhibit? It would have been much more fun and interesting to see and hear the crackle of a charge of static electricity leap across electrodes rather than simply read about it. Or look into a microscope at various specimens.
In the end, I appreciated the "art" of these amazing precision instruments that revolutionized how we look at the world. But it was dry, and I was disappointed. I felt they missed a grand opportunity to make science fun and interesting, not just academic and "exhibited" behind glass cases.
What was much more fun and interesting was the first annual WineTown (www.winetownfirenze.com). Over the weekend, at various lovely sites in Florence, wine tastings and various events were held.
We walked our now so familiar streets, and again came to the Arno River, and gazed at the iconic Ponte Vecchio. Crossing over the charming bridge, we briefly stopped and listend to a street musician, before me carried on our way.
As we walked about, Hera had mentioned how the two Princesses, were so charming. At first, I had thought Hera was joking, but she told me to look at their card. Nobles by birth, their demeanor was gracious, sincere and very warm.
We walked about, toured and sampled more wine at another exhibit, while a jazz band played. Again we were pleasantly greeted by the vineyard's representative, Doth Simone Modugno. We exchanged our views on wines, as we sampled their selections from Castello Di Verrazzano. (http://www.verrazzano.com/)
Made of Lemon rinds in Vodka and Everclear (very potent alcohol), then cut with simple syrup, it becomes a deliciously dangerous liqueur.
Served iced cold, it was a great way to end our day.
Photographer's note: Experiencing (not just drinking) wine is about discovering its scent, then taste and this way it can become a personal experience that we can share through conversations with other wine lovers. Doing visual justice to any bottle of wine is quite hard, unless your shots are staged. Which in our travel Blog nothing is staged. My photos are snap shots of the moments we both shared.
