I remember that we had gone that day up to the garden above the city and I was immediately struck by the beauty of the view after having been down below passing thru the confusing maze of the streets of Florence. It was very hot that August and the Arno was a bit low on water flowing thru the city under the Ponte Vecchio, the old Roman bridge that was rebuilt in 1345. The city is living history with the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore(St. Mary of the Flowers) dominating the ancient streets of the city. What living history is Florence! I loved my time there.
Firenze, as it is called in Italian is indeed one of the centers of Renaissance Art.The city, like so many of the ancient cities of Europe is situated on a river, the Arno. It is in central Italy about 60 miles from the sea. Such wonderful artists as Michelangelo, Cellini, Donatello, Fra Angelico, Ghirlandaio, Giotto, Brunelleschi, and Pisano came to Florence, and one can today see examples of their wonderful painting, sculpture, frescoes, and architecture in the city. The beautiful Cathedral in the above photo with the dome is Santa Maria del Fiore(St. Mary of the Flower). Its dome was designed by Brunelleschi, and the bell tower, also visible near the Cathedral in the above graphic was designed by Giotto. The Cathedral was built of beautiful black and white marble, so distinct and lovely. And of course, one must not forget the Baptistry it is eight sided and was designed and built by Ghiberti and Pisano. The doors to the Baptistry are of golden bronze, with relief designs of Biblical scenes. When the terrible floods of 1966 ravaged Florence, the golden panels in the doors were removed, cleaned and replaced. Truly these above magnificent art treasures live long after their creator-artist! The Piazza del Signoria, at one time the center of activity in the City, is a major tourist attraction. Towering over the Piazza is the Palazzo Vecchio(old palace). It is easily seen in the center of the above photo, still towering over the city. One can pass by the Loggia del Lanzi near the Palazzo and view many statues by various artists. The Medici Family, wealthy through the wool trade, gained control over Florence in the early 1400's. Florence is indeed a Treasure in Time. I encourage you to read 'The Agony and The Ecstacy", the wonderful novel of the life of Michelangelo Buonarroti written by Irving Stone. It is a fine view, not only of the life of the great sculpture, painter, and designer, but a very descriptive view of life in Florence under the Medici rule.
Live Cam from the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Florence
Lonely Planet Destination: Florence
