Aloha Everyone,
Firenze is an art lovers' paradise. It is home to many masterpieces of art and architecture from the renaissance period.
J.J. and I started our morning walk in the direction of Ponte Vecchio. This medieval stone covered bridge over the Arno River is one of the main tourist attractions. Today, the shops sell expensive luxury items including gold, silver and jewelry. During World War II the city was severely damaged by the Germans who blew up all its bridges. Only the Ponte Vecchio was left intact. Per a historical account, Hitler had declared it too beautiful to destroy.
On the way to the Duomo, I found a great art supply store, Zecchi Colozi e Belli Arti. With help from Stefano, I was able to purchase a new sketch pad plus 4 beautiful color pencils that are perfect to draw the rustic colors of the Tuscany.
The Duomo was literally being surrounded on all sides with tourists. It is a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi. Giotto, already an accomplished painter, was also an architect who designed the stand alone bell tower. The construction of the Duomo started in 1296 and took 140 years to complete. As you
can see from my photos, restoration continues. We overheard a guide explain, "...restoration works would and could never end because when they finish, it would mean the end of the Italian Republic."
Our touring day had to be cut short due to afternoon rain which continued with a thunder storm late into the night.
Aloha -- Cathi