Florence, Italy

This morning I was on my own in the city, which was a challenge because I can’t seem to follow a map while in the city. I did find my way to the Museum of San Marco. It had the best collection anywhere of artwork by Fra Angelico. The museum was a monastery that Fra Angelico lived in. There is an impressive collection downstairs, but upstairs I got to see the monk cells and Fra Angelico had painted a fresco in each of the cells. I love seeing art where the artist intended. I also went to the Medici Chapels where I got to see tombs of the great ruling family of Florence. It was designed and carved by Michelangelo. I spent a long time in the last room just marveling over Michelangelo’s sculptures.

Sam met me at the Accadamia and we got to see Michelangelo’s David! What a fulfillment to actually be standing in front of it. I only wish I could have taken a picture with him. I had to settle for the fake David that stands where the real David used to stand. The Accadamia also has some of Michelangelo’s unfinished sculptures. It was really interesting to see his process. I was disappointed that I couldn’t see his Pieta. It is being restored.

We had lunch at a little restaurant called Paticceria Robiglio. I had Risotto that was mouth watering. They also served flat bread that I really enjoyed. After lunch we went to the Duomo. We listed to the Rick Steves Audio Tour and went inside. Brunelleschi’s dome is the most impressive thing about the cathedral. It towers about the city and is so beautiful in the cityscape. We walked around the baptistery and saw the reproductions of Ghiberti’s bronze doors.

We continued down Calzaiuoli (street) on another Rick Steves audio tour, the Rennissance Walk. The pedestrian only street is filled with shops and there are Chirstmas lights strung across the street. It is a really fun place to stroll. We stopped at Orsanmichele Church which used to be a granary. Sam and I were impressed that they made a granary so beautiful that it could one day become a church. The exterior of the church was lined with niches filled with sculptures. They were all copies but I enjoyed seeing works by Donatello, Ghiberti, and Verrochio in their intended environments.

Next we found ourselves in Piazza Della Signoria, the town’s main square. There is a covered porch area called Loggia that is filled with statues Rape of the Sabines by Giambologna and Perseus by Benvenuto are incredible to see. The back of the Loggia is lined with Roman originals. All of the Roman art I see in US art museums is broken. I was so impressed with the statues that were on display here in a public square. There was only one missing arm. Being in a country where there is so much art that you stick your Roman originals outside amazes me. Palazzo Vecchio was the government building that looks like a fortress. The David stood by it’s door originally, but now there is a replica in it’s place. We walked by the Uffizi courtyard and looked at statues of all the great Florentines. That led us to the Arno River and on to Ponte Vecchio, the bridge that is lined with jewelry shops.

On our way back to our hotel we strolled through the streets and went to the market in front of San Lorenzo. We did relax in our room for an hour before heading out for dinner with Jason and Jessica. We ate dinner at La Lamhara. I had Moccoli del Granduca di Toscana, a homemade ravioli filled with cheese and spinach in a cream and tomato sauce. It was fantastic! While eating we saw the server bring out a flaming desert to another table and we had to have one so we ordered Crème Catalina, which I am sure is spelled wrong, but it was an egg custard like desert that was similar to crème brule, but not exactly right. After Jessica tasted ours, she ordered one for her and Jason.

After talking for awhile in the hotel lobby we headed to bed exhausted but so thrilled to be in Florence.