Florence
As in Rome, the museums and galleries must be booked. I chose to first visit the Uffizi gallery on our free day in Florence.
On my first trip to Italy many years ago, one of the my most vivid memories is seeing the statue of David, by Michelangelo, the most famous sculpture in the world. He is a perfect massive statue made from a single block of marble, and he stands in the Accademia gallery. I remember gazing at him in awe. So, since I have already seen him, I decided I should see the equally famous Uffizi gallery first.
Very near the Uffizi is Piazza della Signorio, a square filled with sculptures. David stood here for centuries until he was removed to protect him from damage, cleaned up and placed inside the Accademia gallery. An “exact copy” stands in his place, and it’s impressive, but it just doesn’t leave me with the same feeling. Other sculptures are of lions, the symbol of the city, and Perseus with the head of Medusa.
The Uffizi was originally built as uffizi (offices) for the Medici family, with galleries for their collections on the upper floor. It is overwhelming, with works by all the great masters like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bellini. The most famous work here is Birth of Venus by Botticelli.
Whole rooms are devoted to the master artists, as well as theme rooms full of Medusa, beheadings, and other subjects.
After finding my way out of the gallery, I met some of my group who were headed in search of a food cart. Tripe is the specialty here, and that’s all you could order at this cart, so I found something else to eat nearby. I also made my first gelato stop. Pistachio is amazing!
My roommate and I set off to the Santa Maria square where she had found the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the oldest parfumerie in the world. It was originally a convent from the 13th century.
After that I bought some leather in a shop, gloves, belt and wallet made of fine leather for 60 euros ($90).
I wanted to get to the Accademia to see David again but…until next time, David.
At dinner with the group, the special was Florentine steak (a huge t-bone). After dinner a few of us went to a rooftop bar with a view of the majestic Duomo.
