Florence Day Two - September 30

Nine O'clock came around pretty quickly, but everyone managed to squeeze in breakfast before we departed on a walking tour with our guide, Roberto. A light rain had started but we were prepared with umbrellas and rain jackets. One of the first stops was the central market, where they sell all kinds of produce, meats and sundry other goods.





Popping out the other side of the market building we found more interesting shopping, such as a variety of leather goods, in the street market. The colorful display contrasted with the more staid coloring of the centuries old buildings in the background.

Street Market

Moving on, Roberto told us of the history of the Medici family and how they transitioned from doctors to bankers and ultimately the bankers of the Vatican. One member of the family even rose to the position of Pope. Hmm, no conflict of interest there! Below is a picture of Roberto giving his dissertation as we'll as one of an early Medici palace.





The Medici family ruled the city/state of Florence for centuries and while not all were well liked, most contributed to public life by building hospitals, churches, libraries, and other public buildings. The Medici coat of arms, a formation of six balls, is found on numerous buildings throughout the city.





Roberto was a wonderful tour guide providing us with great historic details spiced up by interesting "dirt" on the famous sons and daughters of Florence. Additionally he gave us at least three direct connections between the US (New York in particular) and famous Florentians. These were Amerigo Vespucci, Verrazano, and Pio Fede. The first two are pretty well known as Vespucci's first name is the origin of "America" and the Verrazano-narrows bridge connects Staten Island to Brooklyn. But Pio Fede is lesser known in the US. His sculpture of "The Liberty of Poetry" which adorns the monument to the dramatist Niccolini in Chiesa Della Santa Croce , bears a striking resemblance to Bartholdi's "Statue of Liberty". Fede's work was completed first and Bartholdi visited Florence before designing "Lady Liberty". Is the resemblance just coincidence? Look at the picture below of Fede's work and you be the judge.


Within the Church of the Holy Cross are buried many other famous Florentians including Galileo, Machiavelli, and Michelangelo.
After the tour we headed back to the hotel where a motor coach picked us up and transported us to "The Mall" where one can find "bargains" on high end fashions by Armani, Gucci, and others. But the real bargains were in the market back at the center of Florence and several of the ladies took advantage of the great prices on leather goods, purses and jackets.
Tonight's dinner was on their own. After having an apertivo at the top of Rinescente, a high end department store which provides a great view of the Duomo, Evelyn and I joined the rest of the group for dinner at great little place adjacent to San Lorenzo Church.

Duomo from La Rinescente Rooftop