Touring Florence (Day 13, Saturday, November 2, 2013)

What a joyous day!  We don't have to travel far to begin our day!  After breakfast, we go to the Galleria Dell' Accademia, the museum where Michaelangelo's famous statue of David is displayed. Lines are long and security is tight.  No photos are permitted.  We start with rooms of unfinished statues, ancient statues, then spend our time admiring David.  This is the Biblical David who defeated the giant Goliath with a stone in his slingshot.  The statue is tall and majestic. Even the veins on his arms, hands, and legs are visible.  He looks like he might breathe at any moment!  Our guide, a specialist on Florence from Sweden, Monica, tells us that this is David before the incident.  His gaze displays confidence but an element of trepidation.  Amazing!

At left is a copy of the David statue, in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence's town hall for centuries.

The major cathedral in Florence, Italy, is Santa Maria del Fiore, or St. Mary of the Flowers.  It was begun in 1296 and is constructed of green and white marble, different from every other church we've seen in Italy.

The cathedral is one of the largest in Italy.  Ten years ago, it was closed due to renovation so I'm very pleased to be able to go inside today.  Our guide, Monica, said,"The people of Florence wanted the Best cathedral in the world.  And they got it!"  There was incredible competition between the city-states of the time.

The beautiful round Baptistry of the Cathedral.

Biblical scenes on the huge bronze doors on the entrance to the Baptistry.

Once again, we get to bypass the lengthy lines to enter the cathedral.

Main altar of Santa Maria del Fiore church.

Most unusual clock, very large, on the back wall of the cathedral, above the entrance doors, still working.

Tall dome of the cathedral, tallest brick dome in the world.

Theresa (center) with Monica, our Florence guide from Sweden on the right and our faithful Elianora on the left.

After spending time in the cathedral, our guides told us we were free till we were to meet in the Piazza della Signoria, the large plaza where the town hall, Palazzo Vecchio, was located.  A group of us wanted to see the famous bridge, Ponte Vecchio, first, so we walked the short distance there.

Ponte Vecchio bridge, Florence, Italy.

This photo shows the bridge as if the narrow street going through it is flat.  Actually, there's quite a climb both to get on the bridge and down the far side.  It was built in 1345 and was the only Florence bridge to survive World War II.  Stores on the bridge sell very costly gold and silver jewelry, fun for us to windowshop.  The bridge spans the Arno River.

Archie took this of our mini-group pals: from left, Margaret, Theresa, Pearl, and me/Jan.  It is from the middle of Ponte Vecchio Bridge.

Taken from Ponte Vecchio, the river is so calm that the next bridges and sky are mirrored in its waters.

After the bridge, we eat lunch and shop.  We walk and walk, admiring the wide variety of merchandise in the shops, mostly very expensive.  When we're nearly totally tired, we walk some more in search of gelato.  At last we find the gelato and sit and enjoy it for a while.  We return to the Piazza della Signoria to meet with our group when it is almost sunset.  We walk a short distance down a long and narrow street to a large restaurant for a fine dinner. 

Upper part of the Palazzo Vecchio, medieval town hall in Florence, Italy, in the Piazza della Signoria..

Mural on the wall of our last restaurant, last dinner in Florence.  We can't believe our vacation is over so quickly!

Back to the hotel and we have a sabbath Mass because we know we'll be on the road and in the air tomorrow, Sunday - all day!  We pack and drop in bed: the bus will leave at 4 a.m. sharp for the trip back to Rome Fiumicino airport!  Good night!