Day 21 - Florence, Italy

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Florence, or Fiorenze as the Italians call it, was Italy's first capitol and is now a Mecca for art lovers.

We caught an early morning train to Florence and headed straight for the Duomo and got in line.  At 8:30 when they opened we got in quickly and climbed the 463 steps to the top of the dome.  This is the dome that was constructed without support, set new records for size, and elevated the status of architect from menial laborer to professional.  We read a book about this and were excited to see it.  The Baptistry and Bell Tower next to it are magnificent and enormous, but dwarfed by the Duomo.

Overlooking Florence from the Duomo

The Duomo with Tourists on Top of the Dome

Next we took a walking tour with an audio recording.  That included: the Orsanmichele Church with a gothic tabernacle inside, the Piazza della Signoria, with the original location of The David, now occupied by a copy, the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio.

The Arno River and Ponte Vecchio

Next we toured the Pitti Palace with its lavish furnishings and loads of art.

Next was the San Miniato Church on a high hill overlooking the city, next to the Michelangelo Piazza.  Coming down we found a path through a rose garden.

Overlooking Florence from Michelangelo's Piazza

A Copy of David in Michelangelo's Piazza

Ruth at Rose Garden

We saw the Santa Croce Church and Chapel, had supper at a sidewalk cafe, passed the San Lorenzo Church, saw the Santa Maria Novella Church, and rode the train back to Rome.

In between all of that we stopped to admire lots of statues and buildings and eat gelato and snacks.  There were throngs of tourists everywhere but it wasn't a problem.  While we were eating supper two men sprinted right past pursued by a cop.  They disappeared around a corner but I think he caught them.

Jeff and Brunelleschi

Ruth Eating Gelato in Front of San Lorenzo Church