Firenze Sights and Sites

Our apartment is in a neighborhood named after one of its illustrious residents, Amerigo Vespucci, the explorer whose first name was modified and placed on a map as "America."  Amerigo and several members of his family appear in a painting in the nearby Ognissanti Church, also home of a famous Botticelli fresco of St. Augustine.

Amerigo had three brothers, Antonio, Girolamo and Bernardo.  Imagine, if you will, the implications if Amerigo stayed home and one of his brothers had gone off exploring.... North and South Antonio?....The United States of Giro?.... Bernardocan League Baseball?  Sorry.  Here's #3 son, the one who went sailing.

A few more sights, or sites, of Firenze, including the old bridge, Ponte Vecchio.

The enclosed walkway along the top of the bridge is Vasari's corridor, constructed at the request of one of the Medici so that his commute from palace to office (Uffizi) on the other side of the Arno River would be a bit safer.  The small structures on the sides of the bridge used to house butcher shops but, frankly, they stunk, so they were replaced with jewelry shops, which remain today.  Here's a view looking up at the city hall, as it has appeared for many centuries.

And a view of public art in front of the same building.  To the right is the Uffizi, former office building of the Medici, now perhaps the finest art gallery in the world.

By the way, that's only a copy of Michelangelo's David.  The original is indoors down the street.  Although it's off-season, the piazza in front of city hall already is filled with visitors. 

Imagine when things get busy.  Finally, a glimpse of the corner of the Baptistry, the Duomo and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower).

Much to see and explore.  Ciao.