Florence and Pisa
With Frank outside the Duomo, Florence Earlier this week I spent 3 days in Italy, visiting Florence and Pisa. I was visiting my high school friend Frank who was spending a month in Florence on a language course.
Florence is a magnificent old city, dating from Roman times. It has a rich history, most notably as the home of the powerful Medici family, whose money and influence can still be seen in the buildings existing today.
Il Duomo, Florence In the centre of the city is the Cathedral Square, which contains the Duomo (cathedral) of Florence. The cavernous interior is quite spartan, but you can climb to the top of the dome for a good look out over the city.
Outside the Gates of Paradise of the Baptistery, Florence Also in cathedral square are the bell tower and baptistery of the cathedral. There are a number of other great churches in Florence, including Santa Croce and San Lorenzo (the parish church of the Medici family).
After spending 2 days in Florence with Frank, I went to Pisa for my final morning in Italy. Pisa is a small city, but it is said to have the most scenic piazza in the world: the Piazza dei Miracoli, which contains the Duomo (cathedral) of Pisa, its baptistry, and its famous bell tower.
Fixing the Leaning Tower of Pisa The Leaning Tower of Pisa is an 8-storey bell tower that started to lean immediately during its construction. Its lean became so acute that, in 1990, the tower was closed until the foundation could be stabilised. Fortunately for me, the tower reopened in 2001 and I was able to climb to the top. I also visited the cathedral, which has a magnificent interior.
There are more pictures of Florence and Pisa in my photo gallery. Many of the pictures have detailed text describing the monument.
Comment by Patrick
I noticed in one of your pics that there seemed to be an add for a ‘botticelli’ exhibit. Did you go? Was it most sithum?
Also while in florence did you happen to come across the store I told you about ‘the scriptorium’ on the other side of the river? If so were you able to get me any wax stamp silver dust?
Cheers,
P
PS glad you’re enjoying yoru time!
