Edmond Cartagena

Ehi, Studenti!

This week, UT San Antonio’s College of Liberal and Fine Arts traveled to Tuscany for an unforgettable experience. After a short day trip to Siena, the group made their way to the iconic city of Florence — the birthplace of the Renaissance. Imprints of a highly artisanal era are still present all over this city. In a place with grand architectural designs, painters populating canvases on the streetsides and dramatic works of art inside of aged buildings, the artistic impact made during the 14th century still lingers in Florence to this day. 

At the beginning of COLFA’s adventure, the students visited a city that never left its medieval roots behind. The city of Siena is where Catherine Benincasa, one of the patron saints of Italy, lived for most of her life. This information was shared during a presentation given by communications major Kellyn Beauchamp and English masters student Daniela Garza Martinez, students who specialized on the topic of Saint Catherine’s impact this semester. Martinez and Beauchamp guided the COLFA group through Siena, emphasizing the importance of Saint Catherine’s life. Her intimate relationship with God and her devotion to the Sienese community defined her, which is why she is honored in the Basilica of San Domenico in the city. Travelers who go to Siena can see Saint Catherine’s head, which was brought there in 1383, three years after her death. 

After leaving Siena, the class arrived in Florence, better known as “Firenze” by the Italian people. After dropping off their baggage at the hotel, COLFA’s first mission was to climb the duomo at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, designed by renaissance architect Fillipo Brunelleschi. Upon entering the cathedral, there is a famous painting of Dante Alighieri created by Domenico di Michelino. In this painting, Dante is comparing hell to Florence — a city from which he was exiled. Despite the scandal surrounding Dante’s exile, the Florentine government had this artwork commissioned in 1465 in an attempt to reclaim him following the success of Dante’s well known 13th century work: “The Divine Comedy.” After looking at the famous painting and climbing all 463 steps of the massive dome, the group arrived at the top as the sun set underneath the Tuscan hills. The breathtaking view shocked the class as they looked in each direction, admiring the city from its highest point. 

In the days after climbing the cupola, students embarked on several other adventures. They visited the massive statue of David in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, admired the dramatic Sala del Paradiso at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, examined the Greek-inspired art at the Bargello and analyzed pieces such as Sandro Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” at the Uffizi Galleries. These experiences filled the students with excitement and inspiration, encouraging them to create their own Renaissance inspired masterpieces. 

The weeks of this semester abroad are dwindling! Do not fret, there are still at least three more trips to go. Next week, COLFA will visit Ravenna, a city known for its Gothic culture. Follow the adventures of UT San Antonio’s students abroad at @lettersfromurbino on Instagram.

Alla prossima, studenti di UT San Antonio!