The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
After spending two days in Monterosso, my sister and I took a train to Florence, Italy. I have heard mixed reviews about the city of Florence, so I was intrigued to go to such a historic city. When we got off the train, we walked about a quarter mile to our hotel. Our hotel was located centrally and just a few steps away from the Piazza del Duomo. Here, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands extravagantly. The designer, Filippo Brunelleschi, began construction on the cathedral in 1420. At the time, the dome was the largest in the world, and it was a great mystery at the time how Brunelleschi accomplished this dome. The size of this cathedral is truly astonishing with a height of 376 feet. We decided not to go inside; however, we still appreciated the beauty from the outside.
The Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio
After visiting the Duomo, we made our way to the Piazza della Signoria. The palace, Palazzo Vecchio, and plaza was home to the powerful Medici family. It was also home to the central political and public life for the city. Within the Palazzo Vecchio, artworks from Raphael, Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Caravaggio. We entered the courtyard of the castle, and there was not one wall not completely decorated. Murals on the ceilings, walls, and columns made the courtyard elegant and appealing to the eye.
The courtyard inside of the Palazzo Vecchio
View of the Ponte Vecchio Bridge
When sunset arrived, we made our way to the Ponte Vecchio bridge. This bridge’s main purpose was to provide a private walkway from the Palazzo Vecchio to Medici’s other palace, Palazzo Pitti. In fact, during World War II, the Ponte Vecchio bridge is the only bridge across the Arno river that the Germans did not destroy. While on the bridge, shops and markets were lined beneath the walkway. Overlooking the river provided a beautiful view of Florence. After we crossed the bridge, we made our way to the Piazzale Michelangelo. We walked up a considerably steep street to reach the plaza. From there, we had a picturesque panoramic view of Florence.
View from the top of the Piazzale Michelangelo
On our last day, we went to the beautiful Boboli Gardens. The gardens, reaching 111 acres, are located at the Medici’s second palace, Palazzo Pitti. Sculptures, flowers, fountains, and walkways make the garden unique. The most prominent features of the Boboli Gardens include the extravagant amphitheater and Neptune’s Fountain. At the top of the property, the Giardino del Cavaliere houses the porcelain collection of the family. The architecture and artwork throughout the gardens creates a relaxing and tranquil environment to contrast the bustling city.
View of the amphitheater of the Boboli Gardens
All in all, my experience in Florence was breathtaking. The history and elaborate structures provide true beauty and culture. The city resembled a small New York City. The amount of people on the streets resembled the crowded streets of New York City. There were also stores located all over the city. Whether they are designer or the marketplace, there are tourist traps everywhere you look. I loved traveling throughout the historic city of Florence where the astonishing artwork and architecture of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles flourished. For next week’s blog post, I will cover my trip to Rome, Italy!