The Splendor of Firenze

It was exactly one year ago today that my husband, brother, sister-in-law and I were strolling the streets of Firenze, otherwise known as Florence, Italy. This was our last "hurrah" .... our last full day in Italy. The following day we would fly back to Tim and Lissa's current home in Germany and the next day we would embark on our 10 hour flight back to the States.

Florence has to be one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Italy. It is one of the oldest and it's history is facinating. Had I only researched the city before our trip I could have enjoyed it even more. However, though I knew virtually nothing about Florence, we spent a very enjoyable day there. We left our temporary home of Cortona that morning as the many bells of the walled city pealed their welcome to the day. We drove down the hill to the city of Camucia where we purchased our train tickets to Florence. After about an hour ride we arrived at the Stazione Santa Maria Novella. We exited the station to find a bustling city where the streets were already teaming with vendors, merchants and tourists. It was like a huge flea market and as we ambled through the many booths we found everything a person could ever need or want. There where shoes and leather jackets, souveniers and glassware, belts and scarves, food and drink. Of course, we discovered a few items that we simply could not live without and made our purchases. A breathtaking site met us as we approached the first piazza. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore and it's Campanile di Giotto dates back to the 1300's. The Basilica (cathedral) and Campanile (tower) are beautifully painted in a design that takes your breath away. Then you look beyond this awe inspiring site to see the red capped Brunelleschi's Duomo (Cupola) rising 142 feet, peeking out above the roof tops. The self supporting contruction of the dome was an arcitectual marvel and a ground breaking technique for the time and continues to astonish people today. Due to time constrictions we did not go inside either the church or the dome, but I fully intend to return to Florence someday and do exactly that. Our self guided walking tour next took us to the Piazza della Signoria where we observed even more amazing art work of the masters. There, under the imposing facade of the Palazzo Vecchio, stand many sculptures, statues and fountains which truly display the talents of the artists of the Renaissance.

We continued on to the Galleria dell' Accademia where we stood in line for around one hour. The wait was well worthwhile, if for nothing else than to gaze on Michelangelo's David. The awesome 5.17 meter statue was completed in 1504 after just two years of work. As the day drew to an end we strolled along the Arno where the impressive Ponte Vecchio Bridge spans the river. Though the dwellings built on the bridge were once homes, they now accomodate many jewelry and specialty shops. The bridge was built in 1333 and was the only bridge spared in World War 2. It would have been a terrible tragedy to lose such a picuresque landmark! So, that is the story of our day of sightseeing in the beautiful city of Firenze! One day we will return!