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Florence lunch
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Arrevaderche Roma and its off to Florence some 170 miles north. My train took 90 minutes averaging 111mph and that takes in slow running getting out of Rome and coming into Florence
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Don't think we're on Amtrak
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Oh well, so much for breakfast
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My hotel in Florence is maybe 50 yards Faron the station but I had a cup of coffee in this little garden in back of the hotel
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And that's my room which opens to the green space. The room isn't all that great even though I am in the Michelangelo room. Must be another looking for a good review on Booking.Com
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Santa Marie Novela church where I waited for a free walking tour that never showed up. Maybe my Gide book was out of date. So did my own tour
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I was there where was everyone else?
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Just a typical street in Florence as I walk to the big attraction, The Duomo, or cathedral.
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Here are the three buildings on the Duomo complex. Foreground is the octagonal Baptistery, behind is the Duomo or cathedral and the bell tower rising above the Baptistery.
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Started in 1296 and completed in 1436 it started out as a gothic structure but was modified to a renaissance style. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance
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The dome is the largest dome made of brick. When begun there was not the technology to actually finish it but the architect, Brunelleschi figured there would be by the time they reached that point
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Look at the detail on the Duomo or cathedral.
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The Baptistery stands if front of the church. Once baptized one could then enter the church next to the Baptistery.
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Interior of the Baptistery
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More interior
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The obligatory proof I was there
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Look at the detail
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The real deal
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Gold doors on the Baptistery. This is a replica. Real deal is in museum coming up next
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Excellent museum showing close up the detail in the Duomo
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The bell tower
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Comparison of the heights of the dome and bell tower. For those metrically challenged, 82 meters is 269 feet and yes I climbed to the top. I will never need a stairmaster again after that
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Here's the proof Lisa(my trainer)
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View of Florence from the top of the tower
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Rating and was dark in the Duomo or cathedral
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Interior of Duomo. Large but not that beautiful
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Now this was nice. The dome
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Big view
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Would make a nice patio floor don't you think?
