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| View of Duomo from rooftop |
Since I seldom fail to respond to a little encouragement, more photos from my stay in Florence follow. Ray, this is for you!
The destination of today's stroll and photo log will be the Santa Croce Church but, of course, the journey will not be a direct one. The plan is to cross the Arno River to the south bank seeking out high ground before redirecting myself to the church.
The walk begins in a southerly direction walking past the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery,
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| Duomo and Giotto's Tower |
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| Lorenzo the Magnificent in Piazza Signoria |
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| Uffizi Gallery |
cross over to the south bank of the Arno River via the Ponte Vecchio,
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| Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River |
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| Shops lining the Ponte Vecchio |
wind my way through the narrow and sometimes bewildering streets and paths,
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| Narrow streets |
up a very long and steep set of stairs
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| Steep climb! |
arriving at the Pizzale Michaelangelo and the magnificent vista views of Florence it offers.
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Replica of Michaelangelo's David
at Pizzale Michaelangelo |
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| Old Florentine city walls |
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| Old city walls with Boboli Gardens |
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| The Duomo |
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| Arno River with Palazzo Vecchio |
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Palazzo Vecchio, Duomo, Santa Croce
(left to right) |
Descending from the heights, my steps are partially retraced passing through the Old city wall gate and reaching the Arno.
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| Old city gate |
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| Arno River with Ponte Vecchio in background |
Crossing back to the north bank, the Santa Croce Church is but a few blocks away.
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| Piazza in front of Santa Croce |
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| Santa Croce |
Due to his politics, Dante was not allowed entombment within the walls of the church. Here he stands outside but not looking in.
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| Dante's Monument |
One trick to avoiding often long queues into the church is to slip around the back and enter via the Leather School.
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| Leather School |
Once inside, the interior is built on a grand scale. No expense spared in here.
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| Santa Croce interior |
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| Santa Croce interior |
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| Santa Croce interior |
The walls of the church are lined with a Who's Who of Florence.
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| Galileo |
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| Michaelangelo |
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| Dante (no body here) |
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| Machiavelli |
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| Rossini |
A walk well taken. Now, time to search for gelato!
Very timely Jonathan, my wife is keen to go to Florence for her birthday later this year, so I can show her your pictures.
ReplyDeleteGlad to offer some assistance. Florence would be a terrific city in which to celebrate an important occasion.
DeleteIt's such a lovely city - in many aspects I prefer it to Rome. It's quite a hike you guys took covering both the city centre and the hills of the Boboli Gardens. I trust you compensated with a well deserved gelato along the way:0)
ReplyDeleteYou know, we preferred Florence to Rome too but a return to Rome is needed to see everything missed the first time.
DeleteYes, we found some nice gelato for refreshment!
Nice pics, I've been there 20 years ago, a great place!
ReplyDeleteFlorence is a great city. We are already considering a return trip.
DeleteVery cool pics!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy you enjoyed the photos! This follow up on the sights of Florence was at your request.
DeleteFantastic pics Jonathan! I really need to go there someday!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
It is a city definitely worthy of a few days, at least.
DeleteAh, Fiorenze! Eventually...
ReplyDeleteQuite an impressive collection of "Sons of Florence honored in Santa Croce!
I hope you do make it there one day. With your interest in all things Renaissance, you would really enjoy it.
DeleteThe train from Rome to Florence went through Pavia. I wonder what remnants of the battle are left to see there? Might be worth a stop?