It is hard to describe why Firenze is so lovely. It is a gorgeous city. Maybe it is because of it’s compact nature. It is much easier to get around then say Rome for instance. None of the buildings are very tall which is similar to most of the other old cities in Italy. It is a very medieval looking city but it was a rich one. Its most distinctive feature is the Duomo. The large red-tiled dome features in many a post card but its magnificence and beauty is really to be appreciated when up close. Like many iconic buildings in the old cities it leaps out at you when you round the corner of one of the narrow medieval paved streets you are on. Suddenly you find yourself in a large piazza admiring this shining marble building.
This building took 160 years to construct and its entire exterior is ornamented with a luxurious mosaic design of green, white and red marble. Set in to this are many intricate embellished marble decorations which are just amazing when you think of the work that went into making them. It is hard to capture the Duomo’s majesty in a photo. The intricate brass doors depicting scenes for the bible in the little baptism chapel opposite is equally impressive.
Another point of interest is the Palazzo Vecchio (a medieval palace) and all the marble statues that have been collected there in the Piazza in front of it. You can see one of the two replica’s of Michelangelo’s David there.
It was on to the Ponte Vecchio from there. A famous old bridge where all the gold and silver shops are set up now it used to be used for artisans and butchers shops. Famous because of its medieval history, the German’s even recognised it and let it stand in WWII while they destroyed the other bridges (Ponte’s).
We then when went to the gallery where Michelangelo’s statue of David is housed. This statue really hits you when you see it firsthand. The copies in the streets of Florence somehow don’t strike you like the original. It has an amazing form, shine and life to it. It is a true testament to Michelangelo’s genius , the way he has captured the tension and anxiety in David’s stance as he anticipates his fight with Goliath. Along with this sculpture there were four unfinished works by Michelangelo. It was very interesting to see the raw unfinished work next to the masterpiece of David. Adri and I played tag team to keep Genevieve company while she sat in the gallery and sketched a still life of David.
Also in this Gallery was housed a fine collection of renaissance and medieval instruments including the Medici quartet – a collection of four of Stradivari ‘s instruments, a violin, viola, double bass and cello. I was really happy to have seen these masterpieces. The Medici’s were the rich dukes that ruled Florence for many years and patronised the arts and music, creating an artistic centre. It was under the Medici’s that Michelangelo was able to pursue his art. The four Stradivari instruments were given to the Medici’s by a baron from Bologna as a gift. A courtier described the music that one could hear in the Medici court as unsurpassable in tonal qualities! Go figure!
The best example of this artistic world that they fostered can be found in the world famous art collection at the Uffizzi Gallery. With paintings such as Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and Prima Vera (spring), various unfinished Leonardo Di Vinci pieces, Caravaggio, Raffaello and many, many others; it is an extraordinary insight into the Florentine and Sienese painting schools as well as the development of the renaissance. I was really impressed with how much the kids got out of the gallery actually. There is so much in there and they kept being interested even though all our legs were aching. Spilling out of the gallery at 4.30pm and the day was still blistering with a temperature of 40 degrees. It was gelati time again!
The next day the girls (Adri & Liane that is ) went back down to Firenze for a spot of shopping. I believe handbags and shirts were on their agenda! The shops were fantastic. Shopping in Italy is certaily a more asthetic occupation - style, small shops fronting onto streets and fantastic window displays. A 3.30hr drive ahead of us in 40 degree heat. We were headed toward Mestre the mainland town just outside of Venice. From here we could catch a bus across the long bridge to the unique city and spend the day exploring its charms.
Fred
Kailin’s Word: Florence was amazing. All the galleries and even the streets were beautiful. First we saw the Duomo, a gigantic building with a dome-shaped roof, and right next to were the brass doors. I think they show a kind of religious story or something. Next we went to the Ponte Vecchio. Any woman who loves jewellery could spend hours on there and not get bored. They were selling everything that could possibly be made out of gold and silver was being sold. I myself didn’t get much out of it, but mum and Auntie Liane enjoyed themselves. After that we went to the museum where the statue of David is. After walking through some of Michelangelo’s unfinished works, we came upon the grand figure, and all the detail was astonishing. Genevieve planted herself on a bench and sketched the statue for an hour, so in that time I was able to see every angle of it. Finally, we went to the Uffizi gallery, and got to see some amazing paintings by some of the best artists the world was every known: Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rafael, Botticelli and many more. We finished the day tired and exhausted, but satisfied as well.
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