"Art is the heart of this city."
Written on : 02-December-2016
Visted During : November 2016
Some more Information
Florence's open air museum is one of the largest in the world and the sculptures there speak history. One common thing in multiple sculptures is nudity and the artist must have had the best skill to make nudity look so natural in today's world where being nude is not the regular way of living. It is better you take a guided tour of two-three hours in the city center around the main Cathedral. Because, without getting to know the history of each buildings and bridges, Florence looks mediocre. Florence has a great influence on Italian/Roman culture and has been birth place of the early renaissance. Unless the guide shows a complex and explains that concept banking and also concept of bankruptcy took birth here, the complex goes unnoticed for anyone. Without a guide, it is impossible to notice that a set of buildings are connected via bridges for close to a mile for rich to walk without getting into the streets. So, I would suggest one to take a guide or else you may not be able to appreciate your visit to the city of Florence. In fact, there are more chances of you regretting visiting unless you take a guided tour.
Most of the important places are in a walkable distance from the city center or the main cathedral. Cathedral here is wonderful from outside and mediocre inside. Not much of art work unlike in the cathedral in Venice.
You will find atleast one hundred artists painting in various streets. For some of the artists, the street itself is their canvas and there are designated areas in streets which can be picked up by artists for showcasing their work. Do not miss to enjoy these amazing sights.
My Experience and Opinion
To say in one sentence, I felt - You can take everything but art out of this city. There is a reason why I today feel sorry for our Indian heritage. Even if by fact I know we were not able to preserve all our art works due to 500 years of attack by Mughals and British, how I wish we had preserved it or at least regained it. Roman culture declined with Churches taking all the power during middle age. But, I salute the effort of Italians in regaining it in the period of renaissance. Florence is the best example to witness it. My bow to the artists, writers and even the rulers/rich who supported the artists to regain the memory that was lost centuries ago.
Piazzale Michelangelo
Most of the cities across world have this one point in outskirts or within the city that gives a majestic view which almost looks like a bird eye view. Piazzale Michelangelo view point is one such for the city of Florence.
The view point consists the statue of David which is considered to be one of the perfectly carved statue when it comes to the scale. Statues of naked men is something very common in entire city of Florence and the David's statue here is marked as a special one.
Also, in the view point, one can find Ferraris parked and even available for a short drive. (not available for self drive.)
The image used as cover image gives you an idea of the view available from Piazza Michelangelo.
The Cathedral
The main Cathedral is the prime attraction to all the tourists. However, for us, it was the main reference point to roam around the city and come back safe. Every major point is in a walkable distance from the Cathedral. The facade of the Cathedral definitely makes you click some photos and the dome leaves you wondering how was it built. The dome is still a subject of study for architects. However, inside of the cathedral is not a must visit but since you are there, it hardly takes a few minutes to go inside, so - just visit.
The old bridge and city center
Old bridge is one more reference point in the city center and is of historical importance for city of Florence. In and around the bridge you find multiple jewellary shops and Jewels from Florence is considered to be done with great craftsmanship.You can get some excellent view standing in the old bridge of the river and the old buildings beside the river.
The Cultural takeaway
When one visits multiple places in short period of time and if all are excellent ones, it so happens that he starts ranking the places. So did I after coming back. Florence definitely did not make it to the top ranks. But, when I started thinking as a traveller, I am proud that I have visited this place. I have been to a place where some of the best known artists and writers of all time lived and worked!
Florence has been a place which gave chance for artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, writers like Dante to come out with some of their best work. Even today, visiting florence gives you a feeling that you have visited to a cultural center. Each street hosts tens of artists who paint then and there for you. If you are visiting FLorence, visit it for it's cultural heritage and the paintings.
Michelangelo's David is one of the most praised art works and even seeing the replica of it, gives you a feel that you have seen one of the most appreciated works.
Photos
Bronze cast of David in Piazzale Michelangelo
With view from Piazzale Michelangelo as Background \m/
Florence Cathedral Facade
Art work inside the dome of cathedral
Art work in the window of Cathedral
Art work in a door
Dome of the Cathedral
Believe me, He took one full day to complete this.
In the city square
Old Bridge
One of the statues in Open air museum
Our lunch in Florence - Baked vegitables!
Sorry! That's not Veg Pulav!!!
