A return visit to Florence takes me to some of the city’s most beloved sights.Ā
One cannot visit Italy without going to the famed city of Florence, or as the Italians call it, Firenze. The city is truly a masterpiece, born of the Renaissance. My fourth visit to Florence was a whirlwind two days. Do not attempt this. Florence requires a minimum of three days, four at the least, but as an experienced visitor who spent five days here last time, I could afford a short visit. I still wished I had more time though.
My Florence visit will be covered in two posts, not evenly split between the two days. I saw a lot more interesting stuff on the first day than the second (i.e., lots of museums). Let’s start with Florence’s most famous landmark, and my favorite, the Duomo.
* Note- I have a few random photos here that are from 2016 because they are better than the ones I took this time, like the Baptistery ceiling because of construction. *
The Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo. Also from 2016 because I didn’t have time to go up here this last time. Best view of the city by far.
While the Duomo was mostly built in the 14th century, the exterior was not completed until 1887.
The dome of the church is a engineering marvel. The first dome to be built without full internal supports. It has an internal and outer shell, which you can climb up through to reach the top.
The views from the top are amazing. It may take you a second, though, to catch your breath. You can also climb the bell tower (campanile) if you want to. I have never done so. I’m usually beat after the dome climb.
The Gothic interior is rather plain, but it draws you towards you the colorfulness of the dome.
Vasari started painting the vast dome in 1568 and it was completed by Federico Zuccari ten years later. The painting features the Last Judgment.
I personally love the floors of the church. The marble patterns were laid in the 16th century.
The Baptistery of St. John (Battistero di San Giovanni) is located right outside in front of the Duomo. It’s actually much older the current cathedral and actually dates back to its predecessor. (I’m so glad they didn’t decide to build a new one.) Built in the Florentine Romanesque style, it dates from 1059-1128, making it one of the oldest buildings in Florence and one of the most breath-taking.
The Baptistery of St. John in front of the Duomo. The Duomo’s facade matches the Baptistery and not the other way around.
The entirety of the interior on the lower level is covered with marble tiles. Such a fancy altar.
The ceiling is even fancier. The mosaics were laid in the 13th century.
A true masterpiece of a ceiling.
Now off for a little stroll towards our next destination.
Florence has a mixture of wide streets and tiny alleys. This is one of the main shopping areas.
No matter where you go in Central Florence, you will always at some point end up walking through Piazza della Repubblica. During Ancient Roman times, this piazza was the site of the city’s Forum. Makes sense since it is in the center of town, even today.
My next stop of Palazzo Davanzati, a museum I have always wanted to visit. Built in the second half of the 14th century, the museum is set up as an middle class merchant’s house, set to about the 16th century. The museum has displays on mercantile life in Florence and rooms of the townhouse. To see it all, you have to go on a tour. I happened to hit a school visit day, so that was a no go, but I did see a couple of the floors.
Palazzo Davanzati was a pretty big townhouse.
The bottom floor was pretty grand. There would have been a few service rooms down here. Now, there are bathrooms. I guess those are still considered service rooms.
Four more floors above. A very upper-middle class home.
Houses in the 16th century were still very medieval in nature. People were still fighting a lot, especially in Florence. Extra protection in your home was needed, like these big strong doors.
No need to run all the way downstairs for some water. All you have to do is hoist some up!
A very colorfully painted room. No drab walls here.
The second floor bedroom. Painted walls and painted ceilings in this room.
The bedroom even had a small washroom/bathroom. Such a modern convenience!
Off for another wander, exploring more of Florence.
Northern Italy tends to be less colorful than Southern Italy and uses more brick and stone.
The Loggia del Mercato Nuovo was built in the 16th century and is were you can find leather goods and souvenirs sold.
One of Florence’s many house towers built when the city was a very rough place to be.
One of Florence’s more narrow streets.
Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio (Florence’s Town Hall).
Fancy close up.
You can walk into the atrium for free. I went into the museum last time. It’s pretty cool. You may also climb the tower.
The entire loggia is painted with maps and designs borrowed from Ancient Rome. This is from somewhere in Hungry.
A stroll through the famous Uffizi gallery which was been undergoing renovations since forever.
If you continue straight through the Uffizi, you reach the Arno River. From here you can see Piazzale Michelangelo, where I took the first picture from. It’s to the left of San Minato al Monte, the church on top of the hill. It’s a lovely early Florentine church with a great cemetery.
Now for Florence’s famous bridge, the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge).
Now for Florence’s famous bridge, the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge).
I ran out of room and it wasn’t even a full day! Instead of cutting things like I normally do, I’m going to save the Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens for my next post, along with the rest of Florence. Stay Tuned!
Check out my next update where I continue to explore Florence!
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Start at the beginning of my Malta/Italy adventure!
