Ferrara: the turbulent priest and the Este family

First photo: Statue of the Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola

Savonarola was born in Ferrara.
    
I have played with this photo, which has a tower of the Este family's castle as a background, both to underline Savonarola's charismatic power as an orator and the mutual loathing which must have existed between him and the Estes, renowned for their venality and cruelty.  (Incidentally, they were also major patrons of the arts.)

The two inscriptions read, from right to left:
 - To Girolamo Savanorola, during times of corruption and servility the scourge of vice and tyranny, and
 - Burnt in Florence, 23rd May 1498
   
A brilliant thinker and orator, whose works were to influence inter alia Martin Luther.   He contrived to drive the ruling Medici family from Florence and establish a republic there.  During the years while he was in control of Florence, he preached the demolition of secular art and culture.  This included the public burning of cosmetics, art and books; "the bonfire of the vanities."

Savonarola made the mistake of defying the Pope, and was excommunicated.  His downfall was then swift and brutal, as witness the marble plaque in Florence's Piazza della Signoria.


Second photo: Ferrara's Cathedral of St George

Consecrated in 1136.  West front in Lombard Romanesque-Gothic style.  A breathtaking piece of architecture.