October 2, 2008
Pictures that I took in San Francisco that remind me of my summer in Italy:
The first set of pictures are from Grace Cathedral in the Nob Hill area between California St. and Taylor. Designed by Lewis P. Hobart and completed in 1964 showcases a Neo-Gothic facade. A few "must see" attractions include two large labyrinths one indoor and one outdoor that everyone is encouraged to walk. My favorite part is a replica of the Gates of Paradise based off of the east baptistery doors in Firenze, Italy (Gates of Paridise - Lorenzo Ghiberti - 1452). Be sure to check out the beautiful stained glass windows. A suggested donation of $5 helps maintain this cathedral as one of the "nicer" looking churches in San Francisco.
The second set of pictures are from the Crocker Galleria in the downtown area between Post St. and Montgomery. It was designed after the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy and shares some similarities including the arched glass roof and a variety of shopping and dining. Unfortunately unlike its counterpart in Milan it lacks a "wow" factor. Some things that I missed were intricate mosaic floor tiles, a detailed facade, and a huge glass dome in the center joining the four entrances and there is no gothic Duomo next door. Be sure to visit the rooftop garden for a good place to relax with a cup of coffee. There is also a small farmer's market on Thursdays from 11 am to 3 pm which is worth a visit.
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