Florence
Palazzo Vecchio
Home of the famous and powerful Di Medici Family (http://www.lorenzodemedici.it/welcome.html). At the end of this street is the main square in Florence, called Piazza della Signoria. I took the photo from inside the Uffizi Gallery where the original David is kept, indoors out of damaging elements (primarily pollution and acid rain, which threatens many treasures). The tower was built in medieval times and was used to watch for trouble as well as announcing government decrees and imprisioning officials! People of this time would never have seen anything this tall and were very intimidated. The famous Il Duomo Cathedral (or Santa Maria del Fiore) is just down the street and a wonder of Renaissance architecture. The huge dome of which was finished by Brunelleschi. http://www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/bdd.htm
David
This is the copy of Michelangelo's famous statue which is located in the Piazza della Signoria and this building has that tower on top. I am standing under David's left foot!
River Arno
This is where all the famous gold and leather craftsman have workshops. To bad it was cold and rainy
just like Britian.
Olive Groves
The scenery from the train was very pretty. I was tired and would have liked to sleep but didn't want to miss anything! These olive groves and charming villas were a frequent sight.
