It’s very rare for us to generate three blogs from six days of activity but that is exactly what happened with Audrey’s ambitious agenda. On returning from Cinque Terre we still had two more days of activities.
We live on Piazza Strozzi and one night an opera singer serenaded a crowd who gathered there. We filmed it from our window that overlooks the Piazza. It took a while for Jim to find out where he was performing.Sandy’s legs have recovered enough for us to climb the 233 steps of Florence’s City Hall Arnolfo Tower at Palazzo Vecchio. We feel this is the best and easiest tower to climb for panoramic views of Florence. Ground floor of Florence City Hall.This important defense tower to see enemies approaching is 700 years old and stands 95 meters (311 feet) tall. Considering its age the stone stairs are not that worn away.It was also a jail at times where some of the Medici family members were imprisoned.Yup a cardiac defibrillator welcomes you at the top.Hopefully this employee at the top notices and knows how to use it.The views are absolutely spectacular.Santa Croce Church as seen from the tower.The Arno River and the hill in the background where we will be hiking over the next few weeks.Red roofs of Florence.Mercato di Sant’ Ambrogio is our favorite outdoor and indoor market. The outdoor section of the market has fresh produce as well as a section for clothes, shoes and assorted other wares.The indoor market has a wonderful selection of meats, cheeses, olive oils, fresh pasta, prepared tomato sauces, pesto, meatballs etc. You really do not need to cook anything if you don’t want to.Santo Spirito is Brunelleschi’s plain-fronted 1400’s church with a lavish art-filled interior and baroque altar. The church is home to Michelangelo’s Crucifix. When he was 17 years old he was allowed to make anatomical studies on the corpses coming from the convent’s hospital; In exchange , he sculpted this wooden crucifix which was placed in the high altar. Today it is kept in the west aisle sacristy where for a small cash fee you can see it. As you can see he portrayed Christ without a loin cloth. This total nakedness represents Christ stripped of earthly possesions , his vulnerability in death, and his purity. Cloister of the church.The former convent contains the Last Supper by Andrea Orcagna (1360-1365) which is one of the rare examples of Late Gothic Art which can still be seen in Florence.Piazzale Michelangelo is called “Florence’s Terrace” because the view from here is spectacular and takes in the whole city, including Brunelleschi’s Dome, Palazzo Vecchio, The Basilica di Santa Croce, and the bridges across the Arno. Beyond the city are the green hills of Fiesole and Settignano.It is a favorite spot to sit on the stairs and watch the sun go down which was on Audrey’s agenda for today.We packed a picnic lunch and sat on the stair case to the Abbey of San Miniato. Shortly after this photo was taken we were ran off the steps by some “official” who accused us of being disrespectful on Holy Grounds.This is an 11th century church with a gleaming Romanesque facade and medieval interiors and its atop one of the highest points in the city. There is an adjoining Olivetti monastery.We went in the church to hear the Gregorian chants by the monks.Sorry no audio with this photo by Audrey.The sunset did not disappoint.Our Mexican/Italian friends Gilda and Fulvio lead us down some interesting streets on the way home.Our iPhone cameras make it look like mid-day even though it is after sunset, 8:20pm.View of the famous Ponte Vecchio Bridge at sunset taken by Audrey.Once again we thank these dear friends for the memories we have shared with them around the world.It is such a pleasure to have them visit us. Arrivederci Neil and Audrey.
We walked with them to the train station as they are now taking the train to Bergamo to spend some time with Audrey’s school “sister” Annarosa and family..
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