Florence is made for strolling, one afternoon we did just that – strolling from piazza to piazza, following our noses and soaking up the atmosphere and buzz of this incredible city.
We found many lovely squares, after the Piazza del Duomo, the Piazza della Signoria comes a close second in my list of favourites. Having decided to skip the Uffizzi on this trip – time constraints and a non-art appreciative son were contributing factors – we did feel the need to view it from outside. The exterior is as glorious as the art it contains.
Uffizi gazing done we carried on to the Piazza della Signoria. A special square, not least because soaring above you are a host of famous sculptures including a reproduction of Michelangelo’s David. The original stood here for over three hundred years but now, for protection from the elements, it is in the Academia Museum. Son was impressed by David but was not capable of containing his small boy sniggers!
I love the history of the square – long a gathering place, it has seen political rallies, festivals and in the 15th century the infamous Bonfire of the Vanities. Florentines were encouraged to burn their mirrors, books, games, wigs, paintings and other symbols of decadent religion. We strolled from statue to statue taking in the beautiful Renaissance artwork.
The square was full of people and life by day, I liked this but my favourite time was after dark. The masses of tourists (mostly) dispersed, at twilight there were musicians playing, people strolling and you could get closer to the sculptures without any jostling. The whole square had a gentler, softer air and a different atmosphere. We just had to make sure Son avoided eye contact with a few pesky hawkers lurking at the corners – the only slight negative.
Piazza Michelangelo is another must-see. We started at the river, passed through Porta San Niccolo and strolled up to this piazza. More steps and a bit of a climb but worth it – views like never before. The square itself is not so great – every coach stops here, it is rammed with souvenir sellers, cars, buses and just not appealing. We turned our backs on the square and took in the panorama.
This is what Piazza Michelangelo is all about – the magnificent skyline of Florence dominated by that amazing cathedral dome. Not hard to see why this inspired more than one Renaissance master.
A bit distant from the main tourist sights – a 30 minute walk and quite a few steps but a small price to pay for a vista like this. Unmissable.
I am quite enjoying this visit of Florence; certainly brings back memories of my two visits a very very long time ago – 1980 & 1981!!! (Suzanne)
Thank you Suzanne – I’m sure it hasn’t changed too much though! We loved our time there, our last visit before this was 1996 so it was great to go back.
Thanks Joy I’ve enjoyed reading your Florence posts very much! I was last here in 1980 – I know I wandered around with my friends but didn’t really appreciate the architecture and history as I would today! I remember the huge queues outside the Uffizi and the impressive exterior though and the Ponte Vecchio! Somewhere to go back to – thanks for sharing and have a great weekend 🙂
Actually it was 1981 I was last there – I remember seeing pictures of the royal wedding (Charles and Diana’s!) in the Italian papers whilst we were staying at the youth hostel in Florence!
Funny how something like that can stick in your mind isn’t it – seeing the wedding pictures in the papers.
Yes it’s really strange how such details stick in your mind! You always seem to remember where you were when significant world events happen too!
Thanks Rosemary – I spent student summers travelling around Europe with my friends and like you say didn’t really appreciate all that stuff – far more exciting things to do (I thought). It’s lovely to go back somewhere and revisit with the benefit of age and experience. I definitely appreciated Florence so much more this time. Hope you have a great weekend too.
Looks spectacular. I love all the statues in Italy, the architecture and atmosphere is so different than back home 🙂 I can understand the sniggers I think I probably blushed a lot as a twelve year old in Rome :p hahah
Florence and Venice are next on my list of places to see in Italy
I love all that too – a really different feel to all the Italian cities it’s fantastic. Our son kept wondering aloud why none of these people in the statues wore a scrap of clothing, couldn’t help him on that question! We loved Florence but Venice (went there about 4 years ago) is completely amazing too.
sometimes, walking in a city is the best way to enjoy it, especially with narrow and sinuous streets 🙂
I totally agree, if you walk everywhere you see and discover so much more.
Loved Florence and it is another city I wish I had spent more time in .. A day trip was not enough – my son still wears his Florence market hat -though it is a little worn out and small now …
3 days for us was just about right – although I could have stayed longer we still managed to see and do all we’d planned! You’ll have to go back someday, sometime..
Loving this family travel journal! We had a similarly wonderful time in the summer – already talking about another visit! Thank you for sharing.
It’s such a wonderful city to visit – we would love to go back too!! Thank you for coming along on our trip.
Love the walking approach anywhere, but it looks as if it does work particularly well in Florence. This was all from one afternoon?
Yeah – we’re hardcore!! Actually everywhere is really close to everywhere else in Florence so the distances are nothing. The square overlooking the city is a little further out but again not too far. One of my favourite things about Florence, you can walk everywhere and see everything in a few days. We did miss out all the museums though – just spent our time outside.
I can see why! I mean, I’m sure the museums are great, too, but you can certainly fill your time in amazing ways without them, by the looks.
Great post! I’m starting to plan my May trip to Italy, perfect timing!
I’m very jealous- love Italy! Looking forward to reading all about your trip too!