Day 15

Oltrarno

Oltrarno means the opposite side of the Arno River from central Florence. We walked through the Piazza della Signoria and over the Ponte Vecchio to cross the river.

Piazza della Signoria

The Rape of the Sabine Women in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence.

Menelaus Supporting the Body of Patroclus — Menelaus supporting the body of Patroclus in the loggia on piazza della Signoria.

The Rape of Polyxena in the Loggia die Lanzi in Florence.

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchia — The fabulous Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge in Florence to survive World War II.

Ponte Vecchio Shops — Shops cling to the side of the 14th-century bridge.

Piazzale Michelangelo

We were headed for the Piazzale Michelangelo, a parking lot with a view of the city. To get to this viewpoint, we had to climb the Viale Galileo, a tenth-of-a-mile-long staircase. There were a few cats roaming around the stairs, and a small garden halfway up with lemon trees.

The view from here is great. Not as impressive as that from the Duomo because we’re a little farther from the city here, but impressive nonetheless. Particularly on a day like today.

Me and Suzanne — Suzanne and me on the steps up to Piazzale Michelangelo.

Steps to Piazzale Michelangelo — The steps up to Piazzale Michelangelo, the viewpoint across the Arno River.

Florence View — A sublime view of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Church of San Miniato al Monte

A little farther up the hill is the Church of San Miniato al Monte—said to be one of the most impressive Romanesque churches in the world. Dating from the early 11th century, the church is unlike any I’ve ever seen. The nave looked normal, but the back, where the altar is normally, was divided into two levels. The altar was 10 to 15 steps up, while a crypt was only a few steps down. Such a high altar.

San Miniato al Monte Cemetery — The cemetery at the San Miniato al Monte, a church south of the Arno with breathtaking views of the city.

St. Miniato and Ceiling — The St. Miniato fresco and the church ceiling.

Outside Church — All of us sitting outside the Church of St. Miniato al Monte.

San Miniato Church — The church of San Miniato al Monte which dates form the 11th century.

St. Miniato Fresco — St. Miniato between Christ and Mary painted in 1260.

Back across the Arno

After walking down and back over the Arno, Suzanne and I walked around town a bit while my parents went back to the hotel. Roaming the streets was a delight, particularly on a sunny, spring day such as today.

Palazzo Uffizi — The back of the Uffizi which is on the Arno River.

Rowers on the Arno by the Ponte Vecchio.

On the Arno — A rower on the Arno River.

Il Porcellino — Rubbing the Porcellino's snout ensures you'll return to Florence. This tradition was first noted in 1766 and continues today.

Palazzo Strozzi Art — Art in the Palazzo Strozzi courtyard.

High Knobs — High door knobs on a door in Florence.

Florence Street — A street in the old part of Florence, looking, I imagine, just as it did 500 years ago.

Busini — Downtown Florence, where the streets are narrow, has its businis, the mini buses which Suzanne points out enthusiastically here.

David and Friends — Tourists in the central Piazza della Signoria with the many works of sculpture.

So Italian — This speaks 'Italian' to me: two old men, dressed stylishly, one riding a bike with a basket.

A bronze equestrian statue of Cosimo I de' Medici in the Piazza della Signoria.

Final night

For our last night in Florence, and in Europe, we had another great dinner. Decided to try Trattoria Carmillo, on the other side of the Arno. Started with Prosecco, the warm-up, and we had the Parma ham and melon and split other appetizers. I ate the squid for dinner and it was dynamite. We left about 10 p.m. and I took a few more photos of our last night.

Ponte Vecchio at Night — The old bridge, Ponte Vecchio, at night.

Family Portrait — Family portrait in a Florence alley.

Final Night — Final night of our family European Vacation in the Piazza della Signoria.