Florence : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence
Santa Maria dei Fiori
because it's so pervasive, I will really miss seeing the top of the dome of Santa Maria dei Fiori or the Duomo as it's commonly called, at least a bit of it is visible from almost any place in Florence.
Ponte Vecchio
the 2nd most iconic feature of Florence is the Ponte Vecchio, the old bridge. a bridge has been in this same place since Roman times; the present iteration was probably built in 1345. it has always hosted shops on the bridge itself but the back shops weren't added until recently, the 17th century! today all the shops on the bridge sell jewelry, beautiful jewelry! I have a ring and a gold chain, a gift from a previous trip. | always people on the Ponte Vecchio ... if you look carefully at the end of the bridge you'll see the Duomo. Ponte Vecchio: http://www.holiday-velvet.com/guide/2009/11/florence-ponte-vecchio-history/ |
Ponte Santa Trinita
Altri Ponti, other bridges
San Frediano in Castello
Chiesa di Ognissanti
San Frediano is my favorite church because of it's shape but Chiesa di Ognissanti, All Saints Church, is my favorite because of it's beautiful Baroque interior. there are several famous artists whose works you can admire for as long as you like, no time limit for gawking! the famous Cenacola, last supper, by Domenico Ghirlandaio painted in 1488, Botticelli's fresco of "St Augustine in His Study", Giotto's crucifix are all here free for the looking. Botticelli is buried in the church near his beloved Simonetta Vespucci, distant cousin of Amerigo Vespucci discoverer of America, and also model for Boticelli's "Birth of Venus" (or as my friend Tim Renk calls it, "Venus on the Half-shell"). oops, sounds as if Amerigo was modeling but no it was "the most beautiful woman alive", as she was known, Simonetta posing. basta, if you are want more go to: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_di_Ognissanti
Basilica Santa Maria del Santo Spirito
Basilica di Santa Croce
Dante (he is actually buried in Ravenna Italy)
Galileo
Ghiberti
Michelangelo
and 15 others
there are frescoes (or if you prefer freschi) by Giotto; a crucifix by Donatello; the Primo Chiostro, main chapel, designed by, drum roll please: Brunelleschi the dome man; a Jewish architect Niccolo Matas designed the 19th century neo-Gothic facade working a prominent Star of David into the design. Matas had wanted to be buried in the church with his peer but because he was Jewish he was buried under the porch not within the walls. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Santa_Croce,_Florence
PS please don't ever think I don't love the good ole USA, I do and I'd never renounce citizenship, I just want to be sure I've seen Florence from top to bottom! ciao, bella ...