Italian Job : Chapter 2
Florence : The birthplace of Renaissance
Our train departed from Roma Termini at 6.30 am. This Alta Volacite train took only 1.5 hrs to Florence which is about 300 km from Rome. The view of the Tuscans country side seen along the journey was spectacular to say the least. No wonder Tuscany is regarded to be the most beautiful region in Italy. Grazing lands and vineyards dotted with quaint villages dominating the landscape. Alpe di Catenaia and Alpe Apuane mountain ranges provide a harmonious backdrop to this heartland of the renaissance.
We arrived at Santa Lucia train station a quarter past 8. The sky was clear and sunny but it was cold. It must be around 4 deg. It was far too cold for us. We were shivering. A cup of hot coffee and warm brownies would be a great idea.
We only have a day in Florence. What a shame. It doesn’t do justice to this city which is rich in arts and history. This is where the renaissance started in Europe. The hometown of Michelangelo a, Botticelli and Machiavelli.
Our first stop was Galleria del Academia, home to Michelangelo’s Statue of David. I remember the first time I saw a picture of this famous statue when I was a little boy. I was speechless now that I stood in front of this majestic 5.2 metres tall work of art. Why does it so famous anyway? We might say it is just another statue of a naked boy. It symbolises a win over tyranny based on a biblical story of David vs Goliath. Good triumph over evil.
We then walked to the Duomo. This magnificent cathedral is still the tallest building in Florence. The city was once the richest in Europe, one fine example is the Duomo. It is one of the biggest in the continent. After taking some pictures in a cold, our body started to feel numb. We settled in a small coffee shop for a hot cuppa and croissant.
Our next stop on the list is Florence’s top tourist draw. The Uffizi Gallery. The queu was a mile long when we got there. We were lucky that we already bought the tickets from the internet, so we escaped the torture (though we paid 10 euro more than the ticket at the gate). Uffizi houses the finest renaissance paintings in the world from the like of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrant and Botticelli. Most of them depicting biblical stories. So if you not a Christian you can just appreciate the artistic values in the paintings. Don’t forget to look up the ceiling. It is decorated by a fresco of Roman gtottoes.
From the Uffizi, we make our way to Piazza della Signora. This must be the finest piazza in Florence and Ponte Vecchio. The oldest bridge in Florence across the Arno river. There are many shops on the bridge selling crafts and souvenirs. Among the crowd we were suddenly approached by a guy handed us a flyer ‘You are Malaysian? This is a halal restaurant.’ It was weird. We did not walk with Jalur Gemilang wraped around our neck. Nobody in Italy has referred me as a Pinoy. Unlike in Qatar.
Florence isn’t all about art. This is a good place to shop as well. It has the highest concentration of high end boutiqes for a city of it size. I bought my first REAL Prada there. I also found a very nice loafer which I like very much in size 5. Size 5 shoe is almost unexist in Malaysia or Qatar especially from a branded label. But since we are going to Milan tomorrow, I thought I just get it in Milan as they have more choice there. But it was a decision I regret until now.
We arrived at Santa Lucia train station a quarter past 8. The sky was clear and sunny but it was cold. It must be around 4 deg. It was far too cold for us. We were shivering. A cup of hot coffee and warm brownies would be a great idea.
We only have a day in Florence. What a shame. It doesn’t do justice to this city which is rich in arts and history. This is where the renaissance started in Europe. The hometown of Michelangelo a, Botticelli and Machiavelli.
Our first stop was Galleria del Academia, home to Michelangelo’s Statue of David. I remember the first time I saw a picture of this famous statue when I was a little boy. I was speechless now that I stood in front of this majestic 5.2 metres tall work of art. Why does it so famous anyway? We might say it is just another statue of a naked boy. It symbolises a win over tyranny based on a biblical story of David vs Goliath. Good triumph over evil.
We then walked to the Duomo. This magnificent cathedral is still the tallest building in Florence. The city was once the richest in Europe, one fine example is the Duomo. It is one of the biggest in the continent. After taking some pictures in a cold, our body started to feel numb. We settled in a small coffee shop for a hot cuppa and croissant.
Our next stop on the list is Florence’s top tourist draw. The Uffizi Gallery. The queu was a mile long when we got there. We were lucky that we already bought the tickets from the internet, so we escaped the torture (though we paid 10 euro more than the ticket at the gate). Uffizi houses the finest renaissance paintings in the world from the like of Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrant and Botticelli. Most of them depicting biblical stories. So if you not a Christian you can just appreciate the artistic values in the paintings. Don’t forget to look up the ceiling. It is decorated by a fresco of Roman gtottoes.
From the Uffizi, we make our way to Piazza della Signora. This must be the finest piazza in Florence and Ponte Vecchio. The oldest bridge in Florence across the Arno river. There are many shops on the bridge selling crafts and souvenirs. Among the crowd we were suddenly approached by a guy handed us a flyer ‘You are Malaysian? This is a halal restaurant.’ It was weird. We did not walk with Jalur Gemilang wraped around our neck. Nobody in Italy has referred me as a Pinoy. Unlike in Qatar.
Florence isn’t all about art. This is a good place to shop as well. It has the highest concentration of high end boutiqes for a city of it size. I bought my first REAL Prada there. I also found a very nice loafer which I like very much in size 5. Size 5 shoe is almost unexist in Malaysia or Qatar especially from a branded label. But since we are going to Milan tomorrow, I thought I just get it in Milan as they have more choice there. But it was a decision I regret until now.
Piazza Della Republica
Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore
The Baptistry - The oldest building in Florence dated back from the 4th century
Piazza della Signora
Ponte Vecchio seen from Ponte Santa Trinita
Next Destination.... Pisa
More pictures of Florence Here
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