Words —
Elle Watson
The stone and ochre plaster walls of these medieval buildings are lined with tall wooden shutters washed in green. At regular intervals, I come across arched double wooden doors framed by stone, each more impressive than the last – their intricate metal knockers signalling the status and lineage of Florentine families.
Every few blocks, narrow streets open suddenly into bustling town squares or piazzas where pink mandevilla florets spill from cafes, restaurants and gelatarias.
By midday, as bells toll in the peak summer heat, mists of water spray from outdoor pavilions to keep diners cool.
Places to explore
As I wander along, the world-renowned brick herringbone Il Duomo di Firenze suddenly emerges, awe-inspiring for its sheer size. The Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral stood without a dome for 140 years until Filippo Brunelleschi engineered the first self-supporting dome without scaffolding, a true feat for all time.
A short stroll brings me to the Piazza della Signoria where a replica of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ stands, capturing the moment after accepting Goliath’s challenge to battle. I admire the marble statues of Poseidon and Perseus before heading to the Uffizi Gallery, home to one of the world’s most prominent Renaissance art collections. It was awe inspiring to stand in front of ‘Primavera’ and ‘Birth of Venus’, as well as other masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
After crossing the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge over the Arno River, lined with high-end jewellery shops, I climb up the Piazzale Michelangelo for stunning city views. Tourists tend to gather at sunset to capture Florence from above: Il Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Santa Croce Basilica stand amongst terracotta roofs expanding into the distant Tuscan Apennine and Apuan Mountains.
Despite the heat, it is worthwhile to amble through the Boboli Gardens which offer multiple stunning outlooks of Florence. The air is laced with the sweet fragrance of blooming Linden trees. Afterwards, I cool down at the nearby gelateria Mancuso Gelati Italiani 1920 and indulge in a delectable cannolo siciliano.
The Gothic styled Santa Croce Basilica is a great place to take a break – its vast interior a refuge for the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, not to mention my weary feet.
Aside from the rich ambiance and culture, Florence is a culinary paradise. I start my mornings with a fresh espresso and a traditional pan del pescatore at Caffè Condotta. For lunch or dinner, enjoy handmade Tuscan pasta at the Acquacotta Trattoria, Ristorante Alighiero, Osteria De’ Peccatori, or Trattoria Lo Stracotto – take your pick!
Experiencing Florence and its rich Renaissance culture is a pilgrimage every traveller should undertake in their lifetime…at least once!
