The (On) Foot Clan

It was too big to fit into a single photo, so I spliced 6 together
to achieve the Firenze Duomo Facade

We spent the rest of our day in Florence wandering around on foot. Our first stop after lunch was the impressive Duomo, the 3^rd largest cathedral in the world, its façade of white and green marble very domineering. The entire building, but especially the dome, is a feat of architectural innovation. The dome, often called Brunelleschi’s dome, is actually composed of two domes with a hollow space between them for ascension. It is the largest masonry dome ever constructed. Inside the cathedral seems even larger, perhaps because it is so sparsely decorated. The lack of art stems from a call for asceticism by religious leaders at the time, and from the removal of many of the pieces to the Museo dell’ Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore.  Nevertheless, art remains, especially in the frescos of the dome. If you are so inclined, you can climb the 500+ ladder-like steps to the top of the dome for €8 each. Having experienced the vertigo associated with the climbing of tight renaissance steps many times already on this trip, we did not pay the €16, and satisfied ourselves with the views from Piazzale Michelangelo, and from the ground.

Interior of Brunelleschi's Dome

Next stop after the Duomo was the Uffizi museum. Just a reminder, tickets for the Uffizi, like the Galleria, are best purchased ahead of time. The Uffizi building was commissioned by the first Medici, Cosimo I, to house the offices (Uffizi) of the government. Comsimo’s successor, Francesco I began using the passageways in the newly finished Uffizi as areas to house ancient sculpture. He also commissioned the Tribuna, a domed room in the midst of the Uffizi to house the Medici treasures. When we visited, much of the first floor was under construction to expand the gallery. This gallery is colossal in size and scope. So many artists are displayed here in the labyrinth of rooms. Like the Galleria, the Uffizi does not allow picture taking, but they too have a virtual tour of the exhibits online. There is an entire room of Boticelli, with many familiar paintings. It’s always wonderful to see in real life the paintings you’ve only seen previously in books.  We saw works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Rafaello. Donatello kept guard outside, rounding out all the turtles. We were ready to take on any members of the Foot who dared to challenge us. None did. I guess there is too much namesake influence for them to gain a stronghold in Florence.

Exiting the Uffizi led us back into Piazza della Signoria with its Loggia dei Lanzi. In front of the Palazzo Vecchio, or town hall, is the 4^th David statue of the trip; this is where the original stood. One side of the square is taken up by the Loggia, a pavilion housing sculpture and previously used for state ceremonies. There is also a fountain of Neptune on the other side of the square. The whole area is like a public, outdoor, sculpture gallery. We enjoyed passing by the fountain of Neptune on our way to the Basilica di Santa Croce, or Holy Cross Cathedral. 

David #4 Outside the Palazzo Vecchio

Useful Links

Photos from our Trip!

Uffizi Gallery

Piazza della Signoria This site has lots of information about many sights in Florence

Duomo Cathedral Museum

Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore Website If you leave this site in its original Italian and let google translate it for you, there will be more information provided

Florence City Card We weren't in the city long enough to get full use out of the card, but if you are staying more than a few hours, city cards are usually worth buying