Intensity Florentine Style

Oh my, but this is a gorgeous OLD CITY, breathing history at every turn.

Medici Palace, ceiling fresco

This is our second full day in Florence. Mid afternoon finds us weary and overwhelmed, in a good way, with all that we've seen today. Our feet and legs feel like lead weights; no blisters just road weary from walking miles and miles on uneven cobblestone. After whirlwind tours of the Medici Palace, the Medici Chapel and the Accademia, a fabulous lunch (followed by gelatto of course) and more walking we gave in to the overload and retreated to the hotel for a rest. We've got plans for tonight; another twenty minute walk back to a small church where there's a "gospel concert" which sounds interesting.

I need to process all the beauty I've seen today from the amazing frescoes in the chapel at the Medici Palace, to the sculptures of Michelangelo at the Medici Chapel and the Galleria dell Accademia. Wonders, all. No photography was allowed except in certain parts of the Medici Palace so much of today is archived in the "mind's eye". Of course there are always the souvenir books and postcards everwhere.

The lemon trees were so tempting in this garden at the Medici Palace but I resisted picking any of the fruit.

Santa Croce Church to the left is the burial place of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Gallileo. We only took in the exterior today but will return for the frescoes and other wonders inside on another day. Such is the plan for the Church of San Marco as well. So many churches, so little time. But truly, they are all unique treasures and we intend to explore as many as possible.

Till tomorrow.