The two-hour trip to Florence from the Port of Livorno and the two-hour trip back seriously sucked up what little time we had to enjoy the legendary Renaissance city. Our first act upon arrival was to plot out our plan of attack, which we did over café lattes and scrumptious Italian pastries. Why suffer? I really, really hate to eliminate treasures, however. Florence is where the birth of the Renaissance took place and is chock full of art.
The Uffizi Gallery alone, with its world-class art including masterpieces by Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, would take up half out time. Beyond that we plotted out a walk that would take us to the Duomo Basilica and then back to Santo Croce Basilica, where we were to catch our bus. Sadly, I crossed off the Accademia Gallery, which includes Michelangelo’s original David.
But not to worry… there was a magnificent copy of David in front of the Uffizi Gallery in Piazza della Signoria. It was in this square, BTW, that the infamous priest Savonarola (1452-98) held his ‘Bonfire of Vanities’ and encouraged the good citizens of Florence to bring their art treasures and books to be burned. Somewhat ironically, Savonarola, who was quite vain in his own way, was also burned in the square.
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Wandering through Time and Place 
Hitchhiking in 1967, I didn’t have money for galleries, and when we visited in 2009, although we had more time than you, we decided not to take time for the Uffizi. I have rather regretted it ever since, but as you saw, every street had something worthwhile.
The hitchhiking story is something I want to hear, Ray! –Curt
Those last 2 photos are gorgeous!
Alison
Thanks, Alison. The sun and the river behaved admirably. 🙂
It is hard not to see something beautiful in most of Italy. Here in Australia, apart from nature, it is somewhat regretful not to be visually attacked by ugliness. Driving around it is not easy to avoid man-made ugliness. Thankfully we have an abundance of beautiful nature.
And from my perspective, Gerard, while I love great art, I love great nature even more! –Curt
Had to laugh at the picture of Peggy with David.
Laughing. Peggy has always been fond of David.
There is a story that Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in the city that, allegedly due to a direct order from Adolph Hitler himself, wasn’t blown up by the retreating Nazis as they abandoned Italy in 1944 towards the end of the Second-World-War.
I like that story, Andrew. Thank you.
They are all magnificent creations, but my favorites are the lion and the horses.
Just about every lion I see when out and about, G, makes it onto my posts. 🙂
Curt, it is great doing this armchair travel with you and Peggy.
I have spent a week or so in Florence and recognise every monument and view you have taken. I actually stayed in a hotel along river Arno with view of Ponte Veccio on the right.
Wonderful city, and Peggy, I laughed too.
Miriam
Was even a week enough? 🙂 And Peggy does have a fun sense of humor. I brought her a light switch cover with the light switch being where David’s anatomy was. Grin. –Curt
All is well that ends well.
Right where he burned large piles of books if I recall correctly. What goes around, comes around. 🙂
Florence never disappoints. Such a lovely city!
I just have to spend more time there, Kelly.
Glad you managed to squeeze as much pleasure out of your short time as you did. Don’t know Florence but it’s on the must visit list whenever it fells good to travel for pleasure again.
We saw a lot Annie. But of course there was ever so much more to see. Peggy and I have talked about going back for a longer period. –Curt
Always loved those horses with Neptune. Sculpting humans is OK – as an artist you can sort of predict how it should go and look – being familiar with the body type/form, but moving animals – and ones like that lion – now that’s skill
I think that the great artists love those challenges! I’m a sucker for lions, BTW. –Curt
(I’m still looking for just the right lion guardian for the porch…even if I have to chain it to a pillar…even lions need reinforcements and backup sometimes)
Just set the pumpkins to guarding it! 🙂
They tried, but they were crushed under the heat and responsibility…they finally liquified and that was it!
I get the heat, Karen. I felt like melting myself. 🙂
Love the sculptures and the Ponte Vecchio. Were there some vendors in or on the bridge? I seem to remember that, and maybe I even bought something leather there. It was almost 45 years ago, so I’m getting pretty fuzzy on the details. And that’s why I’m glad you posted this!
I don’t remember any vendors on the bridge, Rusha. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t there. 🙂 Thanks. –Curt
Surely the Italians wouldn’t reduce the number of vendors who hawk things to tourists. Oh, my. 😊
Laughing. Surely!
Truly beautiful, Curt. We had to go back to Florence for the second time to really appreciate the architectural details and gracious people. And Peggy is a woman after my own heart. 🙂 ~Terri
Peggy is laughing, Terri. One of our goals is to make it back to Florence and spend more time there! Thanks. –Curt
These shots bring back good memories. There’s a lot a great sculpture in Florence. I agree the Sabine Women is dynamic. For some reason I remember seeing it inside a museum but it’s been a long time; maybe I’m confusing it with something else.
Right next to the Uffizi Gallery, Dave. So you might have seen both at the same time. –Curt