March 21-24th, 2018    Florence, Italy


Excluding travel days, we had two full days in Florence, so I am going to cover them in one post.  Florence, being smaller, was cleaner, had very little graffiti and more charm than Rome.  Our host said, however, when you get out of the tourist area, the government doesn't give much attention to the rest of the city.  Italy in general, is a little discombobulated, governmentally speaking.  While in Rome, they had their election that failed to win a majority, so most of their time is spent on forming a caucus which just spins it's wheels, getting nothing done.  God bless America!  For all it's warts, we all agree, "there's no place like home".

I digress, on to Florence.......Michelangelo's David!  He's magnificent!  Carved when Michelangelo was 26 years old for Florence's Cathedral - the Duomo, he stands in all his 17 feet of glory!

The one and only, DAVID!

He's taller than I thought.

This is Michelangelo at 89 years old.  A student of his made this bust of him.  Look close at his nose.  As a teenager, it was broken by a rival artist.  I love his craggy face.

A late Renaissance instrument that's obsolete.  Looks like something from Seussical the Musical!

A hurdy-gurdie from 1775.  

Grace with the first upright piano from 1739.

Approaching the Duomo.

Inside the Duomo.

Looking up inside the dome.

Santa Croce Church

Tomb of Galileo.

Inside Santa Croce

Tomb of Michelangelo

Next to Michelangelo's tomb was a huge painting being restored.  Here is the frame.

Here is the painting off the wall.

Scaffolding where the picture goes.

Look at the difference!  The bottom portion is already restored.  I have no idea how long it took.

Inside Santa Croce.  

Wow!  What's this green stuff???  4.5 weeks in big cities will do that to you!

Looking at the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge).  The original one was built in 1218.  The current bridge was rebuilt in 1345 after a flood. It has shops on it. 

Selfie time!

Watch where you're going!

That's better.

Typical Florence street near our flat.

The Abbey of San Miniato stands atop one of the highest points in Florence and was built between the 11th and 13th century.  We stayed for daily Mass and listened to the monks sing vespers. 

The bells of San Miniato.   https://youtu.be/ACcRhB5mmh4

The view from the Abbey of San Miniato.

The view from the abbey after vespers.

Waiting for the bus along the Arno River.

Day one complete.

Day two:  We went to the Bargello Museum which has some Michelangelo, Donatello, Giambologna, and Verrocchio. It's the best collection of Florentine sculpture according to Rick Steves.  The Bargello, built in 1255, was Florence's original City Hall.

Oceanus and Clare, for size reference.

Flying Mercury

Michelangelo's Bacchus.

Honour Triumphant over Deceit

Florence Triumphant over Pisa

The museum is a historical building and as beautiful as the exhibits.

St. George by Donatello.  Fun fact:  Donatello taught Michelangelo's teacher, Verrocchio.

Donatello's David, much different from Michelangelo's.

Katie and Rod on the Ponte Vecchio overlooking the Arno River.

The shops on the Ponte Vecchio.

Most of the shops on the Ponte Vecchio are jewelry shops.

Looking back at the Ponte Vecchio.

And, for the most part, that concludes our two days in Florence, Italy.