La dolce vita in Firenze!  Everything is at a different pace where priority is given to the important things of life - food, wine, art, living.  Walking through a city that would still be recognisable to Dante induces a kind of double vision, where scenes from the past are overlayed on the present.

There is also, sadly, a palpable feeling of decline in some parts of the city.  Florence suffered badly in the Second World War and also from floods in the 60s.  A lot of restoration work is going on to save the wonderful buildings, sculpture, frescos and paintings but some are beyond saving except in fragments. 

We became quickly infected by sloth and spent a wonderful two weeks wandering around the city, sitting in cafes and enjoying the terrace at our apartment.  Jenny came over and stayed during the second week which was great.  Thank you Jenny, for your company and a delicious home cooked meal on our terrace!

Anyway, enough rambling on from me - here are the photos!

    Click here for more views of Florence.

Ponte Vecchio

    The bridge is now home to jewellers and goldsmiths.  They have been here since 1593, when Duke Ferdinand evicted the butchers, tanners and blacksmiths who had used these workshops previously.  If you look closely at this photo, you can see the next bridge downriver through the window at the back of the shop.

Orsanmichele

The name is actually a corruption of 'Orto di San Michele', a monastic garden.  However the building was actually constructed as a grain market in 1337 but was converted to a church almost immediately.  It has some wonderful statuary in the niches along the outside walls and some interesting stone reliefs.

    Jesus showing his wounds to Doubting Thomas.  These statues broke with tradition in that they were conceived as works in their own right, separate to the church.  Putting St Thomas partly outside the niche is an unusual departure from tradition.

    These reliefs were interesting showing different professions in the city.  We're not really sure what the guy with the pick is doing to the kid but it doesn't look good....

Boboli Gardens

These were actually very disappointing, but here are a couple of photos:

    Neptune doing something with his trident!

    Glen relaxing after a strenuous morning walking around Florence.

    Cat in the gardens.  There were tons of them about, but all looking quite well, not like strays.  At about 4pm, the mystery was solved.  A woman comes at this time every day to feed them!

Piazza della Signoria

This piazza has been the heart of Florence's political scene since the Palazzo Vecchio was completed in 1322.  It is still Florence's town hall.  The piazza also has an amazing outdoor sculpture gallery.

    Click here for more photos.

Santa Croce

This church dates from 1294 and contains the tombs of some of Florence's most famous residents.  Our apartment was on the piazza in front of this church so we spent quite a bit of time around there.

    Click here for more photos.

Mercato Centrale

THe Mercato Centrale is the main food market in Florence.  It is a really fascinating place, although perhaps not for the squeamish due to the amount of offal temptingly displayed.  Tripe seems to be a particular favourite.  Eeuch!  Not my idea of a delicious meal!

    Click here for more photos.

We stayed in an apartment in the Palazzo Antellesi on Piazza Santa Croce.  We found it very convenient and comfortable.  They have a very good website which has plans of the apartments in both Florence and Sienna.  Click here to visit.