Since I brought you to a bridge in Florence last week, I might as well tell you more about our journey there. Our sojourn actually began in Florence with two and a half days of exploring the streets, museums and galleries. Our hotel was centrally located, only blocks from the Duomo { the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore } and other sites we wanted to see while there.
This is the Duomo ceiling, painted by Vasari in 1568 and completed by Zuccharo in 1579.
Once we’d arrived we walked immediately from our centrally located hotel room to the Ponte Vecchio which arches across the Arno River.
But I was more enamored with it’s sister bridge, the Ponte Santa Trinita the oldest elliptic bridge in the world.
At one time filled with butcher shops, the Ponte Vecchio now houses so many of these little doors and shutters..
that open to display jewelry shops filled with sparkling gold and silver.
I did manage to see one fishmonger and would love to have his shop back in Calgary!
It is a city of artists, even on the streets..
We spent an afternoon at the Uffizi Gallery where I was astounded that I could be standing mere feet away from Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus”. Photography was prohibited, but I’ve included a wikipedia photo for you..
We were surrounded by the masters: Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Raphael, Caravaggio, Michelangelo and more. The following morning was spent gazing at Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia. I found his incomplete work on the “Unfinished Slaves” incredibly moving, as though men were struggling to be freed from stone.
From there we wandered to Casa Buonarroti where Michelangelo the younger created a museum to honor the Buonarroti family. Again, no photos were allowed here..
A few blocks walk from Casa Buonarroti was the Basilica of Santa Croce, with 16 chapels and an abundance of frescoes painted by Giotto. This photograph is over exposed, but I liked the artistic quality of it so left it like that.
I was able to take photographs so can share with you some of the funerary monuments, frescoes, and liturgical hymn books.
Michelangelo..
Galileo..
I think this was done by Taddeo Gaddi..
Here is the view from our room the morning we left on the next leg of our journey in Italy. We were about to board a train to Sienna. From there a driver would take us to the Borgo San Felice where we would create so many new friends and memories.
Ciao, Florence!
I’ll be back with another recipe from Italy very soon (I have so much catching up to do!) This photo is a little clue for some of you. I found this adorable little shop in the heart of Florence…
Gorgeous picture of you on the Ponte Vecchio Smidge ! OMG my hubby and I just looooooove Italy – so much so that we are planning a trip to the South of France later this year – near St Tropez, and we are contemplating driving east to Italy hahaha
Florence is such a wonderful city, isn’t it ? There’s something almost regal about it.
I can’t wait to go back, but I want to go back to Provence again too.. decisions, decisions:D
It’s always a treat to find you in my reader, Smidge, and what could be finer than exploring Florence with you. It’s definitely still on my list of must see cities. Beautiful photography! 🙂
Great post . I love Florence. Have had several visits to that beautiful city
How beautiful, Barb! Thanks for sharing 😉
What a wonderful holiday. You seem to have gone to Florence on the one day when it’s not a solid traffic jam! Love the Bartolini shop – could this be a relative of Chicago John, a blogger at http://fromthebartolinikitchens.com/
Lovely! Haven’t been there in years and years, so it was wonderful seeing this amazing city through your eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Fabulosity!!!
Love your photos.
Beautiful photos Smidge! I need to get back to Florence. I was there on my trip after college as well, but I don’t believe I fully appreciated all that it has to offer. Thank you for sharing. I love virtual travel!
Wow, Wow and Wow. I love this post. I especially love that Duomo ceiling, I could stare up at it all day. What a beautiful part of the world
Oh my goodness I am SWOONING over this post! I want to go to Italy so so so bad and your photos are like those in a magazine!! You look lovely next to the water!
Wonderful post, Barb. Firenze is my favorite city. I’d go back in a heartbeat. It really is that special. I do hope you had the opportunity to visit the little museum that’s located directly behind Il Duomo. It’s really something to see but, then again, Firenze is full of places to see. Your last photo gave me a big chuckle. Over the years, we’ve lost touch with the Bartolini side of the family that’s still in Italy. That would be something if we were related, though, to be honest, the pasta-lover in me would rather we’re related to the owners of the Bartolini Pasta Co. But that kind of good fortune only happens in the movies. 🙂
I didn’t see that museum.. good enough reason to go back I’d say! I think you should trace your family roots.. I bet there’s a definite link the the Bartolini Pasta Co! How could you not be related? 🙂
Florence is my most favorite city! My husband and I were chatting the other day we would love to go back! You photos brought back some great memories.
I always enjoy learning more about Florence and your pictures are beautiful!
Thanks for taking me along on your tour and sharing your beautiful photos.
Italy is pretty much a living and breathing museum and Florence is like one of the extra special permanent exhibitions where you can run wild! What wonderful photos and it was lovely to see you looking so happy and beautiful 🙂 Loved that you found a Bartolini in Firenze – maybe it is indeed one of John’s relatives! Haven’t been to Firenze for 30 years…so this was a lovely trip down memory lane, thank you so much.
Florence is on my “must see” list!
A blast from the past, what a wonderful post! We were in Florence in 1990, I think we stayed in a hotel directly across from Basilica Santa Croce; I remember discovering large metal roller doors on the outside of our very tall windows overlooking the square and wondering why on earth would one want to baracade themselves so? Until we were woken by drunken levellers at 3am. I couldn’t press the button fast enough!
Barbara, what breathtaking photos. The beauty of Florence is just incredible. I have never been there but at least get to have a peek through your wonderful pictures. So glad you trip was well enjoyed.
So much beautiful history and I studied it all at school. I certainly remember the ‘Birth of Venus’. It was on my HSC Art History exam paper. Do you remember when they recreated that image using Elle McPherson as ‘Venus’? It was a great image. How wonderful to see all these amazing pieces for ‘real’ xx
Who is that beautiful jewel pictured right above the dainty shutters of the Ponte Vecchio gem shops, I wonder??? 🙂 Marvelous. And I love the Bartolini shop!!
What beautiful images. I hope we can go there one day.
Great trip Smidge 😉
Thanks for bringing back the memories. Florence is full of beautiful architecture and art. Too bad we can can only take pictures…wink wink..when no one else is looking. Every city in Italy has something different to offer. Florence is for sure the art and if travels ever take you to Italy again be sure to visit Tuscany as I am sure the views and the food, olive oil and wine will keep you coming back. Take Care, BAM
You brought back memories of Florence from 3 years ago. Such a lovely city and I also have picture taken at the very spot where you are standing. The only drawback during my trip to this city was the soaring temperature, 42 degrees Celsius then. 😉
Beautiful Barbara…just beautiful.
Thanks, Jed!