Today I wanted to walk to Piazza Michelangelo and get some panoramic photos of Florence. The Piazza is on the other side of Fiume Arno (the river) and as it turned out a good brisk 35 minute walk. Lesley gave me her blessing and sent me on my way, of course.
Today is looking a bit cooler than the last few weeks as they are only expecting to have a top of 33 degrees, I set off just after 11 with the temperature moving past 28 degrees.
The walk down to and across Ponte Vecchio was quite pleasant, just stick to the shadows! After crossing the bridge I turned left and followed the river past a couple of Piazzas until I got to Piazza Giuseppe Poggi and the very old Torre di San Niccolo.
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| Looking Over To the Bibliotecca Nazionale Centrale |
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| Torre di San Niccolo |
At this point I had completed the longest part of the walk, now all I had was a shorter zig zagging walk up to Piazza Michelangelo.
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| Some Of The Ramps and Steps To The Top |
After a solid 5 minute up hill walk I arrived at the top in the Piazza, I was now a puffing, sweating wreck, it was time to sit down and take in the views, and what fantastic views they were. The piazza itself is not much to look at, if anything it is a giant carpark and bus stop with a few stalls and cafes. The piazza was packed with tourists, they had all got here by bus and/or car, some of you may refer to them as the sensible ones!
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| Piazza Michelangelo |
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| Finally, The Piazza and Another Statue Of David |
The views were indeed truly panoramic and spectacular, looking over Florence up into the surrounding Tuscan hills.
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| Looking Towards Forte de Belvedere |
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| Along Fiume Arno Towards Ponte Vecchio |
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| Looking Towards Palazzo Vecchio |
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| Over To The Doumo |
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| Tempio Maggiore - A Jewish Synagogue |
After spending some time soaking in the views it was time to head back, at least now it was all downhill.
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| The Scenic Paths Up To Or Down From Piazza Michelangelo |
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| Halfway Down and A Last Look Across The River |
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| Looking Down To The Torre di San Niccolo |
Soon I was back down the bottom. I decided to take a different way back to the room, so I crossed the river at Ponte alle Grazie and weaved my way back the the streets and lane ways.
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| Ponte Vecchio From Ponte alle Grazie |
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| A Suicidal Statue On Ponte alle Grazie |
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| Looking Back Up To Piazza Michelangelo |
While crossing the bridge I came across an unusual statue that appeared to be jumping off the bridge. I found out that it is the work of a humorous and illegal street sign artist named CLET, apparently this piece was recently installed illegally without a permit, so it is only a matter of time before the authorities remove it.
So I made my way to the Piazza Santa Croce and the Basilica just to see what it's fascia looked like as I had seen it from the side view from up at Piazza Michelangelo.
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| Piazza Santa Croce and the Basilica |
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| Museo del Bargello |
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| Lane Ways Back |
I arrived back at the room quite hot and sweaty, but had thoroughly enjoyed what I had just done and seen.
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