Friends of Florence

 

Programs & Events

Competition and Collaboration in the Early Renaissance: Ghiberti and Brunelleschi

June 21, 2012 - June 26, 2012

This year's program will begin and conclude in Florence and celebrate two major restoration projects: Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise and the Tribune in the Uffizi.

ITINERARY

As of May 2012

Thursday, June 21st

  • 4:00 pm – Welcome meeting at the Sala Dante at the Hotel St. Regis in Florence, followed by a lecture, Competition and Collaboration in the Early Renaissance, by Professor Gary Radke, our program historian.

  • 6:15 pm – Departure from the St. Regis for a private visit to the Bargello Museum, followed by dinner in the Bargello’s central courtyard.

Friday, June 22nd

  • 9:00 am – Departure for a morning visit to Pistoia to visit works by Brunelleschi and Ghiberti, as well as other sites, including the Cathedral and the Baptistry. Our visit to Pistoia will include lunch.

  • Afternoon visit to the Frilli Gallery 1860 outside Florence to learn the secrets of bronze casting. This is where the replicas of the Gates of Paradise were cast in 1990.

  • 7:00 pm – Departure for an evening visit to the Museum of Orsanmichele, including cocktails and dinner.

Saturday, June 23rd

  • Private celebration for the completion of the restoration of Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, which received final funding by Friends of Florence with a major grant by Don and Rachel Valentine and John and Gioia Arrillaga.

  • Our morning program will include a private visit to the Baptistry of Florence for the presentation of a book on Ghiberti. This publication was made possible with a major grant made by Board members Kathe and John Dyson. We will also visit the Opificio delle Pietre Dure to view the completed restoration of Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise.

  • Our morning activities will conclude with a visit to the Cathedral Museum followed by a luncheon.

  • Visit to view the recently-restored bronze Giambologna Cross and the Cloister of the Vows of SS Annunziata, a future Friends of Florence project.

  • Later-afternoon departure for the wine estate of Nipozzano, in the area where Ghiberti had agricultural properties.

  • Wine tasting dinner at the Castle of Nipozzano, owned by the Marchesi Frescobaldi, Board members of Friends of Florence.

Sunday, June 24th

  • In the morning, program participants have the opportunity to attend Mass in celebration of St. John the Baptist, the Patron Saint of Florence.

  • In the later morning we will visit the Horne Museum, followed by a private lunch.

  • Free afternoon in Florence to relax or to enjoy and observe the festivities for the feast day of St. John the Baptist.

  • Cocktails and dinner in the private Palazzo Gondi, owned by Marchese Bernardo and Marchesa Vittoria Gondi. The evening will include a viewing of the spectacular fireworks hosted by the city of Florence from the terraces of the Palace.

Monday, June 25th

  • Morning viewings of the Old Sacristy at San Lorenzo; the Sacristy of S. Trinità; and the Church of Santo Spirito.

  • Luncheon in Palazzo Frescobaldi, hosted by Board members Rosaria and Ferdinando Frescobaldi.

  • Celebration of the completion of the restoration of the Tribune, Friends of Florence’s 10th Anniversary project in the Uffizi Gallery.

  • The evening will conclude with cocktails and dinner in celebration of the Tribune Project.

Tuesday, June 26th

  • Departures.

Please click the links below to access the program documents for this trip:
Itinerary
Terms and Conditions
Reservation Form