Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence withstanding the 2nd world war. Built in 1345, the bridge was used to house butchers shops. It was later replaced by jewelry shops in 1593 as the mayor, ‘Medici duke Ferdinand’ hated the smell. Today the bridge comes alive with tourists, all enjoying the beautiful view of the Arno river which stretches all along the city. It is a stunning photo spot overlooking the river and the antique brick work adds atmosphere that enlightened us. The bright colours of the buildings are emblematic to Italy and its culture.
Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore or Duomo is a stunning 15th century cathedral that used to be built entirely out of wood by Filippo Brunelleschi. It was later altered to be made out of the magnificent and detailed stone carved structure we see today which emphasizes the architectural creativity that continues to inspire people throughout the years. At its time it was the most architecturally complicated and intricate construction produced. The sheer size of the cathedral is overwhelming and attracts people from all over the world.
Santa Croce is the church where Michelangelo’s body is held along with several other significant characters from Italy such as Dante; however his is just a replica as he was unable to return to Florence after the political party he belonged to lost the fight and he was banished from the city. Ugo Foscolo was a famous romantic poet who wrote about the Santa Croce and was subsequently buried inside it due to his fantastic inspirational works which lives on in the youth of today. The cathedral had a peaceful atmosphere which was created by the several visitors who had come to view the tomb stones and pay their respects to the great members of society buried there. The architecture of the cathedral is very intricate and showed how passionate the Italians are with building and interior design. We found the experience very educational and eye opening.
The Piazza della Signoria is one of the most historic squares in the city and is home to several statues including another copy of Michelangelo’s David. It is also home to the Palazzo Vecchio which is the town hall and contains many paintings and historical sculptures. From the outside the building is again very detailed and elaborate with the clock tower souring high above the town. The statues around the square are of colossal moments in time depicting war and ancient fights. One of which shows a man holding the severed head of another as they lay at his feet. These graphic statues show the history of Florence and help to tell the story of the ancient city.
Our experience so far…
Since arriving in Florence we have explored the city, visiting several monumental places including Duomo, several of Michelangelo David replicas, Ponte Vecchio bridge, Santa Croce cathedral and many more.
There is still much left to see for us and much more to experience. Seeing the real Michelangelo’s David is one of the thing we are most looking forward to. Tourists heavily populate the city congregating in the town squares. This picturesque metropolis is ancient yet still remains untouched by modernization. Its history is what makes it so spectacular. We have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the city and especially enjoyed trying the authentic cuisine. Our favorite being the mascarpone ice cream!
The most common mode of transport we have noticed to be is the bike/moped as it used by both young and old generations which is something we don’t see in England. Also, due to the weather most people tend to walk around the city or cycle. Although we may find the climate rather warm in march, the locals are acclimatized and therefore dress as if it was winter in scarves and coats.
Sophia James Fiona Norman
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