Florence 2010 (Santa Croce & Laurentian Library)

The Basilica San Croce was built in the 14th century and because is burial site of great Italians it is nicknamed the "Temple of Italian Glories". Interesting note, the facade was designed by a Jewish architect (note he worked in the Star of David) hoping to be buried inside the church itself. Alas, he didn't make as he was buried under the porch.

The interior of the church is known for its many chapels. Here's one done by Donatello. The only think I remember about it is that he was using local materials therefore the coloring is bland.

The tomb of Michelangelo

And here's Galileo's tomb

And the tomb of composer Rossini

"Crucifix" is by Cimabue and is significant because he is a bridge between the Byzantine flat style and the naturalism to come in the Renaissance. You'll notice the flecks of paint that are missing, this damage was due to the 1966 flood which ruined many great pieces of art.

Basilica San Lorenzo which houses the Medici family chapel, sacristies by both Brunelleschi and Michelangelo and the Laurentian Library. The facade was never finished.

Here is the burial site of one of the Medici family members.

The Medici's commissioned Michelangelo to build a library in the cloister. Here is the entrance to the reading room.

The Medici family had the library built to show that they had moved from simply being merchants to a family of intellectual heft. The library housed the private books of the family.

A closeup of the ceiling. Wondering if Michelangelo had something for longhorn bulls?

Books from Latin, Greek and other languages are incredibly well preserved.

Many of the books were medicine/health related.