Sights in Firenze

Piazza Michaelangelo

We climbed the steps up to Piazza Michaelangelo twice during our time in Florence. It wasn't too bad of a walk, because when we got to the top we had the most beautiful view of Florence at sunset, with live music, gelato, a bottle of wine, and good friends to share it with. The green David of Michelangelo is also here as well as the Bobolini Gardens just below it.

Climbing the Duomo 

The cathedral ceiling

On one of our last days, we finally made it to the Duomo before 9 am to climb the 464 steps before the crowd came. It was definitely a hike, so glad we wore workout clothes, even though it may have been looked down upon Italy. It was a beautiful day, so we got some great pictures! 

Museum of Alessandro Dari 

With our Anthropology of Fashion class, we went to Alessandro Dari's studio and museum where he was working diligently. We didn't get to talk to him much but his work is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. He creates jewelry as a goldsmith, sculptor, and pharmacist incorporating his own experiences into his art. At first look, you would have no idea it's jewelry until you poke around and look closer. He has produced 900 pieces that are all divided into collections that are inspired by Gothic art, castles, music, alchemy, and sacred art. Each collection has such a wonderfully deep meaning and connection to the physical and personal aspect of it all. You can check out his website here, since we weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum, but I did sneak one from the outside. http://www.alessandrodari.com/eng-index.php For our class we had to right a reflection essay one of our visits, so I chose this museum because it moved me so much. 

Sunset on the Arno River 

We were running to the Tuesday market one morning and found this great spot with cement that goes over the Arno river where the waterfall forms. Just past the Ponte Amerigo Vespucci bridge on the non-duomo side there's a little path that brings you down here to the water. One night we went out there for sunset with a bottle of wine and took the most magnificent pictures. It's a great romantic place for a picnic any time of the day! 

Boboli Gardens 

On our last day, we tried to fit in Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens but definitely didn't leave enough for it. We went in through the palace and said we would come back to all the museums on our way out. We walked up the steps exploring the different areas of the gardens and the Porcelain Museum, ending up at the Bardini Gardens. There was so much beauty to see there but we didn't have time to walk through them though, we had to leave and pack up our apartment. There were people studying, having picnics, and going on long strolls through the beautifully historic gardens. I have heard the palace is amazing to see as well, it will be a priority next time I visit for sure. 

Pitti Palace

Piazza della Signoria

Loggia dei Lanzi

Palazzo Vecchio

The main square, Piazza della Signoria, houses the most important pieces of Florentine history. The Palazzo Vecchio (translated as old palace) stands out with its huge clock, is Florence's city hall. The Loggia dei Lanzi and Uffizi Palace are on one side of the square, and on another side is Accademia, which houses Michaelangelo's original David, with the replica in front of the building for public display. Behind Uffizi, you can find the piazza where I got my canvas painting. He was a man with one eye patch who had a painting of green doors that looked very similar to our Florence apartment, so I described to him what was needed to make them look just like ours and he added just what I described and put our apartment number and a note to me on the back.

Our apartment door and my painting of it

Ciao,

Tarra