Firenze

I journeyed to Firenze (Florence) last week.  A daytrip is not enough to see everything, but it's an enchanting city nonetheless.  This is a window in the Duomo.

A piazza near the train station.  The station is conveniently located in the middle of town so we just commuted by rain from Bucine.

Il Porcellino, in the central market.  The word is that if you rub his snout you'll return to Florence.

Piazza Della Signora, in the middle of town.

Ponte Vecchio, over the Arno.  Built in the 13th century, it was the only bridge to survive WWII.  The retreating Germans blew up all the others in 1944, but Hitler ordered them not to blow up this one...he had visited Mussolini in 1941 and liked the bridge.

The Duomo.  Started in the late 14th century, it took about 150 years to complete.

A tower in central Florence.

On the Ponte Vecchio, you hardly know yo're on a bridge...this is the roadway, lined with gold and jewelry shops except for a short open space in the middle.  Butchers and tanners used to predominate, but the Medicis kicked them off the bridge and set up the jewlers at twice the rent.  This also reduced pollution...the butchers had thrown their leftovers into the river.

Handsome buildings along the Arno.