Some fabulous sculptures in the 'Accademia including of course Michaelangelo's David and this really is awesome. The pic here is of the Fake David as understandably once again no photos can be taken in the 'Accademia
Way too much genitalia !!
Walking past the cathedral I couldn't resist yet another photo
Coffee and then off to the Piazza della Republica, once the site of the forum, the main square of the ancient Roman city. It then became the city's main food market until the authorities decided to tidy it up in the 1860's and building the triumphal arch shown in the pic.
This was the starting point for us of a 90 minute self guided walk
Our walk takes us to Santa Maria Novella Piazza and church
2 obelisks in the piazza, one nearer the church marked the turning points for carriage races.
An aside, the Italians invented the digital clock, an early version can be seen at the Santa Maria Novella Stazione.
Walking on through Via de Tornabuoni, big impressive mansions and designer brand shops (that is very expensive ones !!) to Piazza Santa Trinita which marks the meeting point of 3 ancient Roman roads and is lined with noble palaces
The Church of San Frediano in Cestello
Across the river to the Porta San Frediano, built in 1324, the massive wooden doors are still in tact
After going through the very narrow streets of the bohemian area of Firenze we finished our walk at the heart of this district at Piazza Santo Spirito
Beer and panini and back across the river over the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge. This was built in 1345 and was the only bridge in Firenze to escape being blown up during WW2. It is not a pretty bridge, in fact in our opinion it is quite "ugly" but it is very unusual as shops have been built hanging onto the edges of the bridge.
Originally the shops were butchers, tanners and blacksmiths who used the river for their waste products and were evicted by Duke Ferdinando 1 in 1593 because of noise and stench. The shops were rebuilt and let to goldsmiths and jewellers.
On the Ponte Vecchio Bridge
As shown in this pic across the top of the shops on the bridge is the Vasari Corridor which runs from Palazzo Pitti to Palazzo Vecchio via The Uffizi. Built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari to allow members of the Medici family to move between their residences without having to step into the street and mix with the peasants !
It is quite an amazing stucture.
The man and his map !
Our walk takes us to Santa Maria Novella Piazza and church
2 obelisks in the piazza, one nearer the church marked the turning points for carriage races.
An aside, the Italians invented the digital clock, an early version can be seen at the Santa Maria Novella Stazione.
Walking on through Via de Tornabuoni, big impressive mansions and designer brand shops (that is very expensive ones !!) to Piazza Santa Trinita which marks the meeting point of 3 ancient Roman roads and is lined with noble palaces
The Church of San Frediano in Cestello
That's how to park in the city !!
A classic Canaletto scene
Across the river to the Porta San Frediano, built in 1324, the massive wooden doors are still in tact
After going through the very narrow streets of the bohemian area of Firenze we finished our walk at the heart of this district at Piazza Santo Spirito
Originally the shops were butchers, tanners and blacksmiths who used the river for their waste products and were evicted by Duke Ferdinando 1 in 1593 because of noise and stench. The shops were rebuilt and let to goldsmiths and jewellers.
On the Ponte Vecchio Bridge
As shown in this pic across the top of the shops on the bridge is the Vasari Corridor which runs from Palazzo Pitti to Palazzo Vecchio via The Uffizi. Built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari to allow members of the Medici family to move between their residences without having to step into the street and mix with the peasants !It is quite an amazing stucture.
Middle building with Union Jack is The Palazzo Masetti which is the British Consulate, it was once home to Bonnie Prince Charlie's widow the Countess of Albany
The Thinker !Back to hotel with very sore feet as again we have stood or pavement pounded all day ! We decide to be lazy this evening and eat at a restaurant that was recommended right near our hotel. Best food so far and we were fascinated by the owner who was a dead ringer for John Bewley, same walk, same looks , not sure what he's like after several glasses of wine though ! Sorry John !
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