Firenze - metropolis of Tuscany

[KarolT]

In the summer of 2016, we took a family holiday in Tuscany.

We stayed near Florence on the Ill Borghetto country inn, surrounded by vineyards and olive trees.

https://goo.gl/maps/2HMrcec3JDgDCmkKA

During our one week stay we visited the following destinations:

Firenze

Sienna

Viareggio.

The biggest attraction was Florence, where we spent 4 days.

Our daughter has just finished her studies in design at the Faculty of Arts and she was the one who lured us to visit Florence - the City of Renaissance Art.

We visited the following places:

basilica Santa Maria Novella

https://goo.gl/maps/7Yian4JpRS64xoBYA

Galleria dell Academia

https://goo.gl/maps/bUorWqzJiD33TPVR9

Galleria degli Uffizi

https://goo.gl/maps/BW1BfhJo2Yqz6XKQ9

Piazza del Duomo

https://goo.gl/maps/YFHP8KACz3F639Jw9

Ponte Vecchio

https://goo.gl/maps/1mw5PvNnBT8NDhTU6

Basilica Santa Croce

https://goo.gl/maps/5zfVFZ5oduEySKBq9

Forte Belvedere

https://goo.gl/maps/JoXZ5RxQTNgMgRWAA

Porta Romana

https://goo.gl/maps/pQf5bAtdj7WqAnFe6

Chiesa San Filippo Neri

https://goo.gl/maps/81C5ggfqcuo2rRnFA

On the first day we parked at the Grandi Stazioni and walked to the 15th century Dominican Cathedral of Santa Maria Novella.

We were intrigued by the richly decorated exterior facade with niches and marble ornaments. Inside we admired a small marble altar surrounded by beautiful frescoes, a stone pulpit and side chapels decorated with frescoes with the theme of Dante “Paradiso and Inferno”.

Then we visited the nearby Galleria dell Academia.

The main attraction of the gallery is the statue of David by Michelangelo Buonarotti.

Then a 26-year-old emerging artist created it in 3 years. There are also sculptures by other well-known authors, Lippi and Fra Bartolomeus. Interesting is also the collection of altar paintings located on the floor.

After a strenuous day we had a good time to sit in the nearby Club del Gusto tratorium, where we tasted local specialties of Italian cuisine.

https://goo.gl/maps/qrncNdVaBGiveM8R6

We also visited Piazza del Duomo, where the famous Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore is located.

The basilica also includes the baptistery of Battiserio San Giovanni, the Campanille bell tower and the cathedral dome where you can climb 400 steps.

This basilica, also called the Duomo, was built between 1296 and 1887, when a beautiful facade was completed. We enjoyed the atmosphere of the square around the basilica full of tourists, merchants and street artists.

The next day we parked next from the center near Porta Romana.

Via Via Romana and Ponte Vecchio we went to the Gallery degli Uffizi.

The gallery was housed in the former Medicei palace, which donated it to Firenze. It is necessary to reserve at least 3 hours for the tour, because the exhibition contains up to 2000 pictures. It is best to buy tickets in advance through the website to avoid long waiting in line. We admired the works of Boticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and other Renaissance painters and sculptors.

Then we visited the Franciscan Basilica of Santa Croce built in 1294.

The church houses the tombs of prominent figures Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiaveli, the memorial plaque of Leonardo da Vinci, Dante and others.

The church is decorated with frescoes by Giotto and other artists.

On the way back we discovered a ceramics shop where we bought hand painted plates directly from a master ceramist.

Unlike the shop, we discovered a small church in which are stored the remains of St. Filipa Neri.

We were interested in the atmosphere and peace of this church with a beautiful ceiling. In the side chapel we admired the relics and objects the saint used.

On the way to the parking lot, we crossed the Arno River along the Ponte Vecchio to the hill where Fort Belvedere is located.

At the top, we watched the exposition of modern sculpture art and enjoyed the view of the center of Florence, flooded with the afternoon sun. We went back through the beautiful Boboli gardens to Porta Romana to the car.

Florence convinced us that it was a city of art and architecture. Its material and spiritual wealth created during the history of the Medici, even today, attracts thousands of tourists from around the world every year.

[ErmesT]

Thank you so much for this long and detailed post @KarolT

It seems you really enjoined Firenze, your photos are amazing. I love your first photo so much. The Vasari corridor is very well represented in the photo.

When I visit the area, I usually go to some B&B on the hills too. They are so beautiful and peaceful, and you can easily reach Firenze.

Hope you have tasted some good Chianti too.

Your photo of “club del gusto” is great. Have you tried Lampredotto? I know that @Sorbe always suggest to try it.

You are guiding us step by step in visiting the city, and I really love this. Well done

[KarolT]

Hi @ErmesT

Thanks for kind words from You.

First photo of Ponte Vecchio I printed on plotter and pasported to my sister 50 anivesary gift.

I didnt tried Lampredotto but maybe next visit of Firenze I will.

That was amazing trip in Tuscany.

Next post wil be about Sienna.

Karol

[BorrisS]

Hello @KarolT ,

Thank you for making us travel to this incredible place through your trip and amazing photos.

I love Italy, and I’ve always said that it’s one of, if not, the most beautiful country in Europe.

I’ve never been to this particular region, but I’ve read and seen so many photos about it.

What did you enjoy the most? What was your feeling and impressions while looking at these historical and important pieces of art?

[ErmesT]

It is a great photo @KarolT

Did you take the picture from the top floor of Uffizi Palace, isn’t it?

[Sorbe]

Hey @ErmesT ,

Thank you for your tag. I don’t know If I should advertise this place, as it’s one of my favourite and I wanted to keep it secret, but today I am in mood for presents and good tips.

If you think you can handle the challenge, I advise you to try “Osteria all’antico vinaio” on your next trip to Florence @KarolT .

You will have quite an experience there, trust me.

[Ant_Bad_Yogi]

@KarolT It feels like I was there and traveled with you even I haven’t been there in real life. I love your photos, they are so beautiful. I also like the way you took us step by step, nice content. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[KarolT]

Hi @ErmesT

Yes, This picture was taken from Uffizi gallery vindow.

Karol

[KarolT]

Hi @BorrisS

This was my first visit of Tuscany.

Country is beautiful and unique.

Firenze is my favorite city in the Europe.

Siena is nice too.

Historic buildings and artists’ works radiate the energy and love of the creators, which are admire by generations of tourists from all over the world.

Genius loci theese cathedrals and palaces is very strong.

Karol

[KarolT]

Hi @Sorbe and @ErmesT

Thank you for your recommendation for Osteria…

I check this place on G maps and is very close to Club del Gusto.

I like those little bars in the narrow streets like theese:

[KarolT]

Hi @Ant_Bad_Yogi

I’m glad to share the experience of these wonderful places with my friends and GM, conect users.

Thanks for Your kind words.

Apropo, all pictures was taken with my favorite Fuji X100T.

Karol

[LuigiZ]

Hi @KarolT ,

very nice post and detailed description of your trip, nice photos as well, thank you for sharing. I see you visited quite some things and also “tasted” quite some things .

Unfortunately you missed Lampredotto as per @ErmesT suggestion, so you need to keep it in mind for your next visit, you will be finding something very special!

I see @Sorbe suggested the best place for that! @Sorbe I know that place, everybody suggests it when talking about eating the best Lampredotto over the area, so perhaps it is not much secret . I need to come back there next time in Firenze, I tried it quite some time ago and it is a shame you won’t believe, I don’t have even a picture of it … my bad .

[KarolT]

Hi @LuigiZ ,

I know Tuscany is your hometown. (Lucca)

Now I feel to be external member of Team Italia with my 3 reports from Italy…

I will continue…. @Sorbe @ErmesT

Karol

[Sorbe]

Indeed @KarolT ,

Lucca is where my family actually live and it’s also the “Feudo” of @LuigiZ .

Once you visit Tuscany you are automatically enrolled in the group.

Benvenuto!

[KarolT]

Hi @Sorbe

Thank you for welcoming me to the group.

Salute.

[RogeanC]

@KarolT

Bom dia! parabéns pela postagem, fotos bem clicadas e deve ter sido um passeio espetacular, também gosto de imagens de Igrejas, sempre encontramos paz.

Abraço

[LuigiZ]

Hahaha why not, you are more than welcome in the “feudo” @KarolT … that’s really nice @Sorbe but I live here since 5 years, so I’m not (yet) at master level of being the lord of the “feudo” .

[KarolT]

Hi @LuigiZ , @Sorbe , @ErmesT

I passed Lucca on the way to Viareggio.

Next time I have to stop.

Karol

[Sorbe]

You already earned the title of Feudatario in my absence @LuigiZ .

I think you and your family would like Lucca @KarolT . It’s a very cosy city with many events going on throughout the year, from the Summer Festival ( music festival with lot of good performers), the Lucca film festival that had prestigious guests in the last years and the most famous one, the Lucca Comics & Games which is the biggest event in Europe for comic and gaming lovers.

[KarolT]

Hi @Sorbe

Thanks for interesting informations about Lucca.

I have to stop there next time.

Karol