Il Viaggio di Marco a Italia
A Trip To Firenze
22 Luglio 2005Dana, Megan, and I took the train into Firenze for the day. We went to the Duomo (St. Maria's Cathedral), the Bargello (a statue museum), and Michaelangelo's dell'Accademia. Oh, and Guess, Prada, Dior, and Gucci! I was equally awed by both types of venues but for very different reasons.
The highlight of the day was seeing Michaelangelo's David. One could look at it for hours. After seeing it, it's easy to see why Michaelangelo was considered a master sculpture and had a school of followers trying to learn from him.
We didn't get into the Uffizi as the line was many hours long. Next time I hope.
Here are the pictures we took. Many places don't allow picture taking, but we managed.
Heading To Firenze on the train - it was 6.60e for a round trip ticket from Filgline (about an hour ride) - which, by the way, was cheaper than the gelati we had in the city!
The Backside of the Santa Maria Novella
And the front.
Firenze is teeming with scooters - literally thousands of them. They mostly don't have to obey traffic laws and so one has to constantly watch for them.
Our first stop, the Cathedral of Santa Maria. We climbed up the stairs to the top of the dome. Along the way, we met these guys.
Brunelleschi designed the dome for the cathedral - the first of its kind. He set the stage for domes all over Europe.
Looking from the dome towards the Arno, Palazzo Vecchio, and the Uffizi. The square tower in the back right is the palace and the Uffizi is behind it.
Looking from the dome towards the Bargello and Santa Croce
Across the Arno, there was a castle on the hilltop.
The Cathedral tower stands on the opposite side of the main hall from the dome.
Next stop was Michaelangelo's dell'Accademia. It's a square building was a courtyard. This lion stands guard in the courtyard.
A wall in the courtyard.
A bronze eagle noted for its turned head (so said a passing tour guide).
After the Academy, we walked to Ponte Vecchio (old bridge), a bridge over the Arno. It's lined with shops that sell jewelry of all sorts (all molto caro!).
The Southern Bank of the Arno
Looking downstream of the Arno. Pisa lies a 100 or so kilometers down river near the coast. When the city states were warring, the Florentians used to pee in the river knowing it would go to Pisa.
Upstream of the Arno. I wonder if the Florentians kept good relations with the folks in Figline Valdarno...
The Northern Bank of the Arno
A cool covered sidewalk along the Arno near Ponte Vecchio.
The Front of Palazzo Vecchio
The Statue of Neptune in Piazza Vecchio
David used to stand in front of the palace. The rain forced him indoors but his more modernly made twin took his place.
Statue in the Front Hall of Palazzo Vecchio
The Front Courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio
The Many Statues in Piazza Vecchio
One of the first statues with no privileged viewpoint. The spiraling nature of the piece makes it interesting to look at from any side. I forget the sculpture, but my very knowledgeable artist friend Mary informed me that it is The Rape Of The Sabine.
A Cafe Getting Ready to Open
Firenze is filled with street vendors and street carts. Note the McDonald's shirt that says "marijuana".
Shopping is hard work.
Megan
Dana
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