 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Camping out at the villa half way between Siena and Florence was the smartest idea (thanks, mom!) Motoring north to Florence took less than 45 minutes, and we spent a perfect full day there (thanks, Frommers guide!). Since we only had 1 day to soak in a whole ‘lotta history, we basically followed Frommer’s “1 Day in Florence” suggestions, and as it was advised that the most spectacular view of Venice is from the Piazalle Michelangelo on the other side of the Ponte Vecchio, so we parked there to have a stunning final nighttime view of Florence as we left (check out the night photo below – did we make the right choice?!)
We set off and decided to first visit the Church of Santa Croce (which was unbelievably not on Frommer’s suggested 1 day list). I think we both agreed that it was our favourite. How can you not stand in awe before the tombs of Michelangelo (not the Ninja Turtle), Dante, Galileo, and Machiavelli All in one spectacular looking place! It’s not to be missed, honest. Next to the Piazza Signoria and it’s Palazzo Vecchio, which packs a monumental punch with the fantastic Neptune fountain (which I heard the locals consider a gaudy embarrassment?), and the gorgeous loggia filled with renowned renaissance statues such as “Perseus” with the head of Medusa (Bevenuto Cellini), the gorgeous “The Rape of the Sabines” (Giambola), among others. Another interesting note about the Piazza della Signoria - this is where the "Bonfire of the Vanities" in 1497. Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican priest, sent boys from door to door collecting items associated with moral laxity: mirrors, cosmetics, lewd pictures, pagan books, sculptures, gaming tables, chess pieces, lutes and other musical instruments, fine dresses, women's hats, and the works of immoral poets, and burnt them all in a large pile in the Piaaza. In 1498 Girolamo Savonarola and his followers were excommunicated, arrested, tortured, and then burned to death in the same Piazza.
We also did brave the lines to view Michelangelo’s legendary “David” at the Accademia (hint: go just before closing to avoid peak crowds). David is simply massive, much larger than I expected. It’s almost unbelievable that such an amazing thing could be carved from a single piece of marble. So what’s missing here? - Yes, we skipped the Uffizi. Museum purists can proceed to mock us now. I really did want to see The Birth of Venus so it was tempting, but I can only say that given the short amount of time we had in Florence we preferred to “experience” it rather than just “see” it. And running through a famous museum is not the way to go, so maybe next time. We really loved Florence dearly, so stayed late and enjoyed a family-style regional meal at the Buca dell-Orafo cellar at the foot of the Ponte Vecchio bridge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|