Florence - Birthplace of the Renaissance

Since I had my cousin’s wedding for majority of the day in Florence, we only actually had about two hours to explore the city center. This resulted in the “spot-point-click-run" shots below as I was literally running from one part of Florence to another, not stopping to truly appreciate what I think is the most beautiful city in this whole Euro trip.

Everything about Florence just screams art, and no wonder this is so as Florence is where the Renaissance was born with the works of Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci dotting the “city of the Medici’s" and where the likes of Dante Alighieri and Niccolo Machiavelli circulated their literary masterpieces. 

Two hours is definitely not enough to spend in Florence and I immediately resolved to return someday and to stay for at least a week!

Florence Duomo

* The Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo, has in my opinion the most impressive outdoor facade of any church that I have seen so far (and that is counting Rome, Jerusalem, Paris and London). Upon seeing it from afar for the first time, one would think that the church is CGI’d and not actually real.  It’s just that damn beautiful!!

Florence Duomo

* Pictures cannot show how majestic this church looks!!

Florence Baptistry

* The Baptistry, in front of the Duomo, where many famous Florentines, including Dante, were baptized.

Florence Duomo Interior

* The Last Judgement frescoes made by Vasari on the dome of the Duomo.

Florence Duomo

* Side view of the Duomo. One can imagine Ezio the Assassin hopping from pillar to pillar in this city.

Florence Streets

* It would seem that every street in Florence has a piece of art; may it be a sculpture, fresco, mural, painting or glasswork.

Florence Streets

* Taking a short break from all the running to admire the beautiful streets and shops with brands I had never heard of.

Palazzo Vechio

* The Palazzo Vechio is the town hall of Florence and is in itself, a museum and art gallery.

Loggia dei Lanzi

* The Loggia dei Lanzi, which houses a collection of epic sculptures.

Michaelangelo's David

* The replica of David in front of the Palazzo Vechio standing in the site of the original. The original David was moved to the Accademia. (which I had no time to go to)

Hercules and Cacus

* Hercules and Cacus. I wish I had time to laugh at this but at the time, I had less than 15 minutes before I had to be a the bus.

Perseus and Medusa

* Perseus with the head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini.  I was overjoyed when I saw this since Clash of the Titans (the original, not the crappy remake) was one of my favorite movies growing up!

Medici Lion

* The Medici Lion, a symbol of the wealth and power of the Medici Family; a family which produced four popes, two regent queens of France and was known as the wealthiest family in Europe for a period of time.

Menelaus and Patroclus

Menelaus supporting the body of Patroclus. If you’re a fan of the movie Troy, Patroclus is the “cousin” (or gay lover) of Brad Pitt whose death causes Achilles to release his fury on poor Hector (Eric Bana).

Hercules and Nessus

* Hercules beating the centaur Nessus (right) by Giambologna.  So much more bad-ass than the pose Hercules made with Cacus. (see above)

Rape of Polyxena

* The Rape of Polyxena by Pio Fedi. Polyxena was the youngest daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy.

Fountain of Neptune

* The Fountain of Neptune which has been a favorite target of vandals throughout the ages.

Cosimo I de Medici

Cosimo I de Medici, by Gianbologna, the first of the Medici political dynasty, patron of the arts and philosopher.

Palazzo Vechio


Popular posts from this blog

Vienna Coffee Culture and Night Walks

How To Apply For A US Tourist Visa (Part 1)

The Wedding - Part 3 (Ceremony)