28 October 2016

Travel:Italy-Florence

Florence-the capital of Region Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.
We were just one day in Florence. Since  the city deserves a little longer than that,we decided  to see  only the main sites and walk around  the historic city center.
We have started from Piazza di Santa Croce-one of the largest in the city. 
 There is the Gothic Basilica di Santa Croce.
The church exterior is covered with a poly chrome marble facade.
In the Basilica are the tombs of famous Florentines.
The Monumental tomb of Michelangelo.
The tomb of Galileo Galilei.
 There is also a memorial to Dante.
The interior is decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his gifted student Gaddi.
The wooden Crucifix by Cimabue.
A cloister in Santa Croce.
The Pazzi Chapel is one of the greatest example of Renaissance.
Florence's most famous square is Piazza della Signoria.
Piazza della Signoria has been Florence's political center since the 14th century. Today Piazza is a unique outdoor sculpture gallery.
There is also the Palazzo Vecchio- a town hall of Florence.(Most of the hall is now a museum).
In front of the palace is Fountain of Neptune by Ammannati and Michelangelo's David. (copy)
On a corner of the Piazza  is Loggia dei Lanzi- filled with antique and Roman statues.
Perseus with the Head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini.
Rape of the Sabine Women by  Jean de Boulogne.
The Uffizi Gallery-one of the most famous museums of paintings and sculpture in the world.No time for visit.Just passing thru narrow courtyard between palace's two wings. A quick look at the statues of famous artists.
Ponte Vecchio-the old bridge-first bridge across the Arno River. 
Today lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry.
Loggia del Mercato Nuovo popularly known as the Loggia del Porcellino.
This 16th-century silk and luxury goods market, today  is a market of kitsch souvenirs and maybe leather goods.
 Fontana del Porcellino -fountain of the piglet, actually a copy of a bronze wild boar. The original marble of the 'Porcellino' can be found at Palazzo Pitti.Rubbing the nose brings fortune.
Piazza della Repubblica- lovely  square surrounded by cafes and elegant restaurants.
And then, just around the corner: BAM!
In Piazza Duomo the most impressive buildings in the city:
Beautiful Gothic cathedral- Santa Maria del Fiore, Campanile and the Baptistery. 
The Baptistery- one of Florence's oldest buildings. It is made of green and white marble and has three sets of amazing bronze doors. 
The Door of Paradise.
Campanile di Giotto-The bell tower-was designed by the famous artist Giotto.
The Duomo in Florence is the 3rd largest in the world (behind St.Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Paul’s in London).
The exterior of cathedral is made of green, pink, and white marble.
Magnifcent Renaissance dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi.
Interior of the cathedral
Basilica di San Lorenzo is situated at the center of the city’s main market district, in Piazza di San Lorenzo.Its rough front was never covered by a facade Michelangelo designed.  
San Lorenzo  is the burial place of the Medici family- Medici Chapels - Unfortunately were closed at the time we arrived there.
Renaissance interior
Brunelleschi - Sagresta Vecchia (Old Sacristy)
Crypt Verrocchio-Tomb of Cosimo the Eldest.
Cloister
Treasure Museum
Mercato Centrale- A covered  market.
This market has everything you could ever imagine to eat in Florence.
Ground floor is a farmer's market.
The top floor  is a food court.
Of course gelato is must.
At the other side of river Arno, across Ponte Vechio, is Palazzo Pitti-Medici family residence. Unfortunately we had time just for few photos in front of the Palazzo.
With wistful glance towards the bridge, we left Florence.