Italy Part 2 – Florence


This post is coming out a bit late – we went to Italy three months ago! However, one of the benefits of this tardiness is that I have had a chance to look at the photos again. I am reminded of just how incredible were the sights of Florence.

Florence is over-shadowed by its bigger brother, and the capitol of the ancient world (and modern Italy) – Rome. Yet, Florence in its heyday rivaled Rome as a capitol of medieval capital, and of renaissance art. Art was often expressed in terms of architecture to the greater glory of God.

The Duomo

The Duomo

The Duomo again!

As you might notice, there are so many spectacular buildings in and around the main areas, it is hard to get a clear unobstructed view.

Spectacular to look at, the Duomo is an architectural wonder of the world. It was constructed with no interior scaffolding. To appreciate what this means, you will have to read a book called, Brunelleschi’s Dome.

Brunelleschi

We climbed up through a passage way constructed inside the dome, between two layers of wall.

Not for the fainted-hearted

Inside the dome

Once at the top of the dome, the climb rewards you with views over one of the most famous cities in the world.

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Florence

Selfie at the top

Being the tallest structure in the city, the lantern of the duomo gives unparalleled, 360 degree views of the city.

Views

No view of the city is complete without a panorama.

Panorama

From the dome, you also get some great views of inside the church.

Inside the dome

The main floor

We were in Florence just days before Christmas and so the city was festooned with lights and decorations.

Lights

As noted in the Tuscany blog, we were not quite prepared for the amazing selection of food we found.

Tasty

Not so tasty

Tasty
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Not so tasty

Tasty

Where to go to find all of this.

The shop

The best time to eat is when you are in a food market.

Great food

Florence sits in a valley surrounded by hills full of luxurious medieval villas and rolling hills full of vinyards.

One more view

Lest ye be forgotten, the best bet is to get yourself buried in the local cathedral. Da Vinci shares his tomb with Gallileo, Michangelo, Dante and others.

Da Vinci

Buonarotti

Danti

Galilleo

After a long day’s walking through the streets, crossing different turf…

Markers were used to section off the city streets

we retired to a lovely restaurant on the banks of the Arno River, which runs through Florence.

Arno in the Evening

Ponte Vecchio

After all that walking, and big meal, what I really needed was a great big, lovely, hot cup of strong coffee. What I got was a tiny, half mouthful of expresso.

Really?

Here are a few more shots to finish off this post.

Building facade

 

The dome
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