FLORENCE
(FIRENZE, Italy)
July 19, 2002
Our first stop was the Piazzalle Michelangelo where we got great views of Florence. In the centre of the square stands a monument to Michelangelo (1875) - a bronze reproduction of David with four smaller statues depicting dawn, day, dusk and night. Hence the name - Piazzalle Michelangelo. The piazza was packed with tour buses and tourists. There were lots of souvenir stands with overpriced articles. We got a panoramic view of the city with the video camera and we took plenty of photos.
photo - view to our left of the bridges crossing the Arno River (Ponte Vecchio in the fore-ground)
photo - view to our right - the river and bridges, campground below
photo - the skyline with bluish-grey hills in the background
photo - cathedral, the Duomo and bell tower
Then we got back in the bus and were taken to a historic part of town. First we had a tour of one of the many fine leather shops. There are alot of shops in the surrounding area selling leather goods.
After that we were on our own to do some sightseeing. The CATHEDRAL of Firenze with its beautiful DOME dominates this area of the city. The facade of the cathedral (begun in 1296) is made of green, white and pink marble. The dome (1416) is octagonal and 91 metres high. It can be seen for miles. The BAPTISTERY is nearby. It is made of marble and octagonal in shape. This building was the cathedral of Florence till 1128. The east door of the Baptistery has scenes of the Old Testament. It took 27 years to complete.
photo - The BAPTISTERY, CATHEDRAL and DOME
photo - the facade of the CATHEDRAL of Firenze
statues in the open-air museum
We spent alot of time in the PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA. The square is full of statues. It is like an open-air museum of sculptures. This is where we found another statue of David.
In the square is the PALAZZO VECCHIO with a FOUNTAIN OF NEPTUNE on one side and statue of DAVID near the main entrance. Palazzo Vecchio is a 14th century fortress-palace built in a trapezoidal plan. The main entrance opens up into a courtyard. The tower was built in 1310. It reaches a height of 94 m. and has a clock that still works. Today the building is a museum and houses some offices of the City of Florence.
Just down from the Palazzo is a long walkway adorned with more statues.
photo - The Palazzo Vecchio with bell tower
photo - David at entrance to Palazzo Vecchio
photo - fountain of Neptune with the Palazzo on the right
photo - more statues at Piazza della Signoria
We finally got away from the busy streets and reached the river Arno. We saw some rowers on the river. We got a good look at Ponte Vecchio (which means Old Bridge). We had seen the bridge from the panoramic view of the city earlier. This bridge had been destroyed by a flood of the river Arno and it was rebuilt in stone (1345).
photo - Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence
The tour guide told us that the no one lives in the houses which were built on the bridge. We wanted to get to the bridge and walk on this unusual structure. The bridge was very crowded. There are many shops here where goldsmiths and silversmiths sell their crafts.
All of the bridges in Florence except Ponte Vecchio were destroyed by the Germans in 1944 when they retreated from the Allied army. PONTE SANTA TRINITA was built (1252) and rebuilt many times due to flooding. After the bombing in 1944 the bridge was reconstructed (1952) using material recovered from the river.
photo - Ponte Santa Trinita (taken from Ponte Vecchio)
side and rear view of Santa Croce
The church of Santa Croce houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo.
photo - front view of Santa Croce
There is so much to see in this historic city -- so many old churches, museums and galleries. For the shoppers there are jewelry stores, leather shops, antique shops and boutiques.
photo - probably a museum
After all the sightseeing we were hot and tired. We were lucky to find a lovely place with benches, flowers and trees (shade) not far from the Cathedral.
photo - fountain in a park
INDEX - tour of Italy